Traditional rulers across communities in Enugu State have been tasked to sensitise youths in their respective domains not to participate in the nationwide hunger protests scheduled from August 1 to 10, 2024.
The charge was given by the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, at a one-day seminar on leadership and conflict resolution organized for traditional rulers and presidents general in the state on Tuesday. The seminar was initiated by Enugu State Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs.
CP Uzuegbu said the South-East zone had been victims of such violence in the past, and called on the traditional rulers and town union presidents general to be proactive by engaging the youths.
He said, “Enugu State is a home of great minds, great people, and highly innovative. We don’t need any destruction of lives and property. Allowing the protests may lead to unwanted violence; but the state needs peace. People have the right to protest but it should not lead to violence.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Okey Ogbodo, said the seminar was organized for community leaders to ensure peace, security and development of their areas.
The Chairman, South East Traditional Rulers’ Council, and Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council, HRM Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, said the people of Enugu State “don’t want violence”, and called on the traditional rulers to implement the advice given by the CP to avert the ugly side of the protests in the state.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Information, Mr Aka Eze Aka, has said the state government is not against the protests. He however called for caution to avoid the protests turning into violence.
According to him, Gov Peter Mbah is already addressing some of the issues the protesters are agitating for through his people-oriented programmes.
Quoting him, “We’re not against the hunger protests. It is a fundamental human right of the people so far it doesn’t hurt the other person. Some protests are good, some are bad. President Bola Tinubu benefitted from such protests, but it should not be abused.”
On the impacts of the protests, the commissioner said, “Government officials will sit up. The biting situation in Nigeria is biting everybody. In Enugu, we understand that all is not well. It has been a journey from something bad to good. Gov Peter Mbah is revamping ailing industries.
“We believe His Excellency has since the inception of this administration been addressing some of these issues. He brought water to Enugu within 180 days. Roads are becoming common in the state. There is a renewed hope. Nobody believed that streets in Abakpa will be tarred. The state government is engaging over one thousand health workers.”