Ondo South Advancement & Welfare Consultative Association (OSAWA)
www.osawa.org.ng
Press Release
Nation-Wide Protest: Ondo South Senatorial District Says No to Destructive Protest; Endorses Proactive Approach to Addressing Hunger and Hardship
Constructive criticisms are part of the instrument of growth in democracy, most especially to achieve good governance, proactive leadership and influence dividends of democracy for the masses. To us in OSAWA, we are not unaware of the hardship and hunger that have befallen the nation in recent times, albeit, approaching the solution with a peaceful path through dialogue should be the focus of all right-thinking citizens and not resorting to destructive protest, which by its nature, is crisis-prone.
Unequivocally, it is expedient for government to be fair to the people by addressing the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. While it is a public knowledge that the provisions to cushion the adverse effects of this President Tinubu economic policy are made available to state governments, one would expect these dividends cascade to the people, so as to lessen the hardship being experienced.
Apparently, the importance of subsidy removal has been defeated to a large extent because the measures to cushion the effects, embarked upon by the government are not yielding results due to the fact that these provisions are not getting to the grassroots, e.g the NG-CARE social investment programme, food palliatives, cash hand out among others. These programmes only go round same limited circles. The Government should also ensure a massive orientation and sensitization programme across the nation and as much as possible involve all relevant stakeholders in the distribution of the palliatives.
While we are conscious of these myriads of economic challenges, we also note that the security challenges across the country have also become a menace and it will be hazardous to give room for crises if truly we want solutions as a people.
As we charge government to address the hardship and ensure the improvement of security across the nation. we appeal to all the citizens, most especially the youth constituency across the senatorial district i.e Ondo South Senatorial District, to move away from any form of protest and give room for a more achievable and solution-driven approach for the betterment of all, we should ensure we protect our heritage and any part or local government of the senatorial district shouldn’t be used as a battleground by some partisan individuals who will always mask their face just to engineer the destruction of properties to score political points at the detriment of the masses.
We say no to the anti-mass protest and we disassociate ourselves from it.
Ondo South will be great
Ondo State will be great
The Federal Republic of Nigeria will be great
Ade-Aworetan Oluwajuwon Adejare
President, OSAWA
28/07/24
