Written by Emediong George
The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari wants Nigerian youths to rechannel their energy to the pursuit of peace and national unity. The president made this call on Monday while receiving the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
A statement by Femi Adesina, Buhari’s aide on media and publicity revealed that the president’s call is hinged on the understanding that it is in the interest of the youths to work for peace as his generation (septuagenarians) is about to exit politics and by extension national leadership.
In his words “It is in the interest of the youths to keep peace. They want job, infrastructure and development.
“I have sent the team led by the Chief of Staff (Prof,IbrahimGambari) to go around the country, talk to traditional rulers, who will then talk to the youths. The views of the youths have been heard”.
The president also stated that his administration inherited severe infrastructural deficits and that the government is doing its best with the available limited resources.
“That (infrastructural deficit) is what we are fighting to correct. We can’t just sit, fold our hands and do nothing. We will do our best within the limits of resources” he said
Concluding, Buhari warned that the administration will not stand by and watch those it called “miscreants” disrupt national peace and harmony while pursuing selfish agenda.
Buhari has been condemned by several Nigerians for the way he handled the #ENDSARS protests targeted at putting an end to the menace of police brutality- especially by men of the now defunct special anti-robbery squad (SARS).
The president, it would be recalled, refused to address the youths until there was a national outcry following the massacre of several protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos.
Amnesty International estimates that 12 protesters were killed by military personnel in Lekki on October 20, 2020.
