Young Nigerians to dialogue over state of the nation in Abuja

• Stop agitation for restructuring, Yoruba youths warn
• Envoy blames political elite for unrest

Young Nigerians have called the youth leaders of Ohanaeze Youth Forum, Arewa Youth Forum, O’Odua Nationalistic Coalition, Ijaw Youth Council and other interest groups to meet and dialogue on the state of the nation.

In a statement made available to reporters yesterday in Abuja, a member of the Abuja Global Shapers, conveners of the event, Bella Anne Ndubuisi, said: “The state of the nation is a safe space for aggrieved groups, and indeed all Nigerians, to engage in an uncensored conversation about our nationhood.” She noted that the event, which is scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 23, 2017, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, is open to all Nigerians who want to join hands in building a nation that works for all.

In a related development, the Yoruba Youth Congress (YYC) has declared that restructuring will dissolve the unity of the nation.National President of the congress, Mr. Dapo Adepoju, at a press conference in Akure at the weekend, said restructuring is the ploy of the elite ruling class for selfish interest.

Adepoju affirmed that the agitation for restructuring was insincere and would not benefit the poor masses and the aspiration for a more progressive nation.
He warned that a reversal to regionalism would lead to the occupation of centrifugal forces that would eventually plunge the nation into crises and disintegration.

Meanwhile, the polarisation of the Nigerian nation by political elite for selfish interest was yesterday identified as the major reason for the ongoing agitations across the nooks and crannies of the country.

Nigeria’s envoy to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Alhaji Hassan Ardo Jika, who made this known at a dinner organised by the Taraba State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Integrity Group in his honour, called on politicians to put aside all forms of sentiments for the growth of the country.

According to him, the agitation for cessation stemming from perceived marginalisation and discrimination against certain groups in the country was a creation of the elite who chose to drum divisive tendencies into their people just to help them score some cheap political scores.

Cautioning the people against allowing themselves to be divided by the elites who sow the seeds of discord among them, he admonished them to be united by throwing their weights behind the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari.