By Comfort Olayinka
The Benue National Assembly Caucus and Federal Appointees Forum, has commended the youths of Benue State for shunning the nationwide protests.
Nigerian youths had on Thursday, began a 10-day nationwide protest, to demand for good governance, cut in the price of petroleum products and general cost of living.
The protest which was meant to be peaceful, snowballed into violence in some parts of the country, with reported cases of killings, wanton destructions of property, majorly government owned facilities, looting, and other criminal activities.
But the youths in Benue State outrightly rejected the protest, as commercial and social activities were seen on top gears in Makurdi, Otukpo, Gboko, Katsina-Ala and other major towns in the state.
This, the Benue National Assembly Caucus and Federal Appointees Forum ascribed to the good “leadership and guidance” provided by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev.
The statement signed Friday morning by Hon. Philip Agbese, the Spokesperson of the Forum, also expressed the Forum’s confidence in the leadership qualities of the duo, while expressing optimism that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visionary leadership would bring the progress and development Benue yearns for.
“We applaud their wisdom and maturity in avoiding the temptation to engage in destructive activities that could have led to the loss of lives and property. Their decision is a testament to the peaceful and law-abiding nature of the Benue people.
“We are proud of our youths for choosing the path of peace and stability. They have demonstrated that they are true ambassadors of the state and we urge them to continue on this path. Their actions have saved the state from the destruction and chaos that was witnessed in other states.
“The Benue youths have shown that they are committed to the development and progress of the state. We urge them to continue to work towards building a better future for themselves and the state.
“Regrettably, other states were not fortunate. Arson, violence, and destruction of property were witnessed, leaving a trail of devastation and loss of lives. We condemn these acts of violence and urge those responsible to seek peaceful means of resolving their grievances.
“The events in other states are a stark contrast to the peace and stability that was maintained in Benue State. We attribute this to the wise decision of our youths to shun the protest and the leadership provided by our leaders.
“We wish to thank the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, for providing leadership and guidance to the youths. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed and we urge them to continue to provide direction and support to the youths.
“We reiterate our unwavering loyalty and support to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. We have absolute confidence in his leadership and vision for Benue State and Nigeria as a whole. We are also firm believers in the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and his administration’s vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria. We are convinced that under their leadership, Benue State and Nigeria will reach new heights of development and progress”, the statementread.
