Why We Are Not In Support Of Planned ‘Hunger Protest’ -Urhobo Youths, Delta Students

Young people in Delta Central Senatorial District, Delta state,  under the umbrella  of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, (Youth Wing, Worldwide) have  submitted that they are not in support of the  planned ‘nationwide protest’ by some young Nigerians who are planning to hit the streets to protest against high food prices.

In a communiqué signed by the National President,  Osu re Ighele , Activist Blessed Ughere which was made available to Team@orientactualmags.com on Thursday,  the UPU said Urhobo youths would not be a party to the proposed protest. 

‘Given the current security challenges affecting Delta Central (Urhobo Nation) and the Urhobos in other parts of Delta state, we firmly believe that engaging in protests now would be counterproductive. 

Therefore, we categorically state that we will not support any form of protest across Urhoboland in Delta state by any group or individuals. 

Engaging in such protests risks exacerbating the existing security challenges in the country, creating opportunities for criminal elements to exploit innocent citizens and instigate further chaos. 

We appeal to all concerned groups and individuals to refrain from organizing any protests within any Urhobo kingdom in Delta state. 

We also urge all Urhobo sons and daughters, as well as residents in Urhobo land, to boycott the proposed protest’ the communiqué said. 

The UPU also noted that  they are in touch with the Delta state Government  in respect of the spate of insecurity in the state and in Urhobo land in particular. 

‘On the issue of insecurity, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Youth Wing Worldwide is currently in discussions with the Delta state Government. 

We have made recommendations for the establishment of permanent military checkpoints in key areas to help mitigate the security challenges in the state. 

We hereby call on all citizens to be cautious, vigilant, and alert while accessing areas that require urgent security attention, especially Egbo, along the Agbarho-Ughelli Road, and the Ughelli-Patani Highway, among others. 

We urge leaders and other stakeholders in the region to join hands in assisting our security agencies to maintain law and order, which are imperative for prosperity, peace, and progress of the state and country’ the group added.

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Indigenes of Delta state, who are students at  tertiary institutions in the state, have also dissociated themselves from the planned nationwide protest. 

Recall that the young people in the country are planning to stage a nationwide cost-of-living protests on August 1,2024.

President, National Association of Delta state Students (NADESSTU), Comrade Monday Wiska,  submitted during the press conference he presided over  in Asaba on Thursday, that students at tertiary  institutions in the state are strongly in support of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration and vowed to protect Delta against such a protest. 

Flanked by student leaders across  higher institutions in the state, Comrade Wiska, highlighted various interventions of the Oborevwori administration in the education sector and called on young people in the state to boycott the planned protest adding that it is not in the best interest of the students. 

‘We are here today to address a very pressing global issue that borders on our student community in Delta state over the  planned nationwide protest. 

As a voice of student body, I urge all students to boycott the nationwide protest that is planned to take place on the 1st of August, 2024. 

While it is important to stand up for our rights and advocate for our concerns, the upcoming protest do not serve the best interests of the students. 

With the level of security information in our disposal, the protest could be disruptive and could potentially harm our academic progress and may also lead to conflicts and unrest on campus, jeopardizing our safety and well-being. 

I must unequivocally state that as student leaders, we seriously frown at the current hardship in the nation but it is important to note that this hardship is not caused by our state as the state government has opened the application/registration of the 2024 Students Special Assistant Scheme (Bursary Payment) to help alleviate the financial burden on students in Delta state. 

This is a deliberate action that underscores the commitment of the state government to assist students and we are currently in talks with the state government to consider an upward review of the Bursary so as to help mitigate the hardship in the country. 

The Delta state Government has provided an enabling learning environment for our students and the government is doing more in infrastructure on campuses and we don’t want any protest that is capable of destroying these infrastructures on our campuses.

It is worthy to note that the current hardship we are experiencing today is a global issue and of which our state government has been giving palliatives to vulnerable groups in the state to help alleviate this hardship over time. 

The State government has been very student- friendly and has provided the opportunity for us to always channel the concerns, interest and aspirations of our students over time. 

We have security information that some misguided elements are planning to penetrate some campuses in the state to cause harm and unrest in our students’ community using this planned protest as disguise. 

Lastly, we wish to appeal to our students not to be deceived by anyone whatsoever and not to partake in any protest and also to assure them of our already existing good working relationship, collaboration and partnership with the State Government in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to our students in Delta state’ he said-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you