Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has warned Nigerian youths against being exploited by movements sponsored by disgruntled politicians who have ulterior motives for the country.
He cautioned them not to allow themselves to be used as pawns by frustrated politicians who do not have the nation’s best interests at heart.
Governor Abiodun, who spoke at the 22nd Undergraduate and 13th Postgraduate Convocation ceremonies of Babcock University in Ilishan Remo, Ikenne local government area of the state, also admonished Nigerian youths to dialogue constructively with government rather than engaging in any street protest.
Noting that the country has not gained anything meaningful from protests in the past years, the Ogun State governor emphasised that no investor will ever be attracted to a nation that is under siege of protesters.
“Please, do not allow yourselves to be used by a so-called leaderless movement, sponsored by frustrated politicians who tried in the past and lost. We do not need protests. We must not gamble with our democracy. Let us dialogue.
“This current wave of inflation is bitting everywhere. It is in the UK, US, Ghana, and Egypt. So, it is not peculiar to Nigeria alone.
“I seize this opportunity to appeal to our youths to constructively engage with government in finding lasting solutions to Nigeria’s problems, rather than engaging in protest that may start peacefully but usually get highjacked and may lead to anarchy.
“What have we ever gained from protests, except losses in productivity. Loss of lives, loss of private and government properties, looting and vandalisation of assets,” he said.
Abiodun added that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had to take bold and decisive steps to put the economy back on track, adding that the government has been in office for just one year.
“This administration has initiated a lot of interventions to cushion the effect of the inflation. Recently, we’ve had the introduction of minimum wage. We’ve had a lot of empowerments. Student loans are in place. Agric and fertilizer inputs are being given to our farmers. Food palliatives have also been provided, amongst others,” he added.
Abiodun, while noting that Ogun State under his watch would continue to prioritise education, promised that his administration would also continue to encourage genuine participation to provide quality and affordable education to the teeming youths in the state.
While congratulating the 2,842 graduates of the institution, Governor Abiodun charged them to continue to chase their dreams and never stop to learn and continue to believe in their abilities.
