#EndBadGovernance protest departure from youth's docility, wake-up call, Bongos Ikwue tells FG

Warns it’s in government’s interest to engage youths more productively

Nigeria’s ace musician, Dr. Bongos Ikwue, has warned the Federal Government that the recent #EndBadGovernance protest was a departure from the docility of youths of yesterday, meaning that the government must make more sincere efforts to engage youths more productively.

He said the protest should awaken the government to address the yearnings of the masses, and pleaded that the government should be liberal in accepting both the protesters and their actions as part of the checks-and-balances of democracy.

In a statement yesterday, (Sunday, August 11), Dr. Ikwue disclosed plans to execute a well-thought-out package with local, state and federal governments to engage the youths meaningfully and effectively “to achieve the country of our dream.”

The accomplished singer said youths of today are described as the apt prediction of a country’s future who should be appropriately counselled, reasonably provided for, properly guided and monitored.

Tracing the hardship in the country to increase in fuel pump price since most activities in the country are hinged on the use of premium motor spirit (PMS), he empathized with Nigerians, and even government, who have been grappling with hunger, insecurity, violent attacks at home and on the farms, inefficient healthcare system, and inadequacy of all sorts.

“Nigerian leaders should be aware that there is a paradigm shift; modern day Nigerians have evolved to put their leaders to task – a departure from docility,” the legendary musician said.

According to him, bad governance is not limited to governments but also to homes, communities, organisations, religious organisations, and associations, adding that everyone in position of leadership to address the demands of protesting youths and the silent masses, including local,state and federal governments, should be liberal in accepting both the protesters and their actions as part of the checks-and-balances of democracy.

Dr. Ikwue appealed to the youths to sheathe their sword and cultivate the culture of tasking their brains to think out pragmatic, yet simple, solutions to challenges facing them as individuals and collectively.

He advised against taking the route of violence or giving room to agents of destruction whenever the need arises for them, the youths, to relate with their leaders.

The talented singer who chided youths who believe in taking illegal route to acquire wealth, admonished them to exploit the numerous opportunities and resources which are available.

“As part of the solutions suggested to mitigate hardship in the country are reducing the demand for pms by embracing CNG-powered vehicles, electric vehicles, building of recharge/filling stations for these vehicles; affordable mass transit scheme (tricycles inclusive); support to charity shops where food stuff would be sold at lower prices; enhanced nationwide hi-tech security architecture (particularly of ungoverned areas); meaningful youth empowerment programmes; purposeful leadership training; and concerted visible efforts at stamping out corruption within government and citizens”, he said.