Godwin Amunde
The Yoruba Appraisal Forum (YAF) has appealed to Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction by some aggrieved Nigerians and failed politicians who are bent on using them to cause trouble within the polity.
The group, during a press conference in Lagos titled: “61 Independence Anniversary: Peaceful, United, Prosperous Nigeria Is YAF’s Desire,” said it is aware of plans by some aggrieved groups and individuals to violate the laws of the country on October 1, 2021, and from Monday, October 4, 2021, by carrying out illegal and unwarranted protests and so-called sit-at-home against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for whatever reasons best known to them and their sponsors.
The National Coordinator of the group, Adeshina Animashaun, said such protests are likely to result in violence and wanton destruction of lives and property, which the nation can ill-afford at a period all Nigerian citizens should be joyous and celebrating.
He said: “At this juncture, YAF, therefore, wants to appeal to aggrieved persons and groups to sheathe their swords and in the interest of Nigeria’s peace and unity, eschew agitations to dismember the country. We should all remember that decapitation is never the remedy for headaches.
“It’s time for all Nigerians to embrace peace, join hands with fellow citizens to work for lasting peace and desired progress. Let’s, therefore, rather use the Independence Day celebrations to reflect on how to move our country forward and to greater heights. Let’s not make ourselves willing tools for the few aggrieved persons and groups who do not wish Nigeria well.
“Peace and righteousness do a great deal of good to any group of people and nations, and this YAF believes should continue to bind the conscience of every Nigerian, especially as the country clocks 61.
“We should, therefore, not give any room to unpatriotic persons to destroy the good legacies and country bequeathed to us by Nigeria’s founding fathers. We must strive to be among those superior characters to hold the balance of power to keep our great nation up to a high standard of civilization. Second-rate men and women must be effectively checked and kept at bay to save our dear fatherland from avoidable collapse.
“It is, therefore, important to once again remind us all here that our country can only be great again if we all reorient ourselves and reason together as Nigerians and not as Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba; not as Northerners or Southerners, Muslims or Christians.
“For us in YAF, as a group of patriotic citizens, we’ll never waiver in our consistent pursuit of a peaceful and united Nigeria.
“We also seize this opportunity to commend the international community for their consistent support for the unity and progress of our dear nation. In spite of the daunting challenges confronting Nigeria, they have remained on the side of her continued corporate existence under a peaceful atmosphere.
“As patriotic citizens, YAF, therefore, appeals to the international community to continue to give Nigeria all the necessary assistance to enable her to surmount the various challenges. We appeal for continued technical and material assistance to the nation’s security agencies so that the country will continue to record success in her crusade against terrorists and insurgents.”
