• ECWA, Kogi youth group disown exercise
Ahead of the August 1 nationwide hunger protests, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has directed its 104 affiliates to be on standby. 
In a communiqué released yesterday at the end of emergency meeting of the national executive, including the 36 state chairmen and other stakeholders at the parley held via Zoom, the body decried the harsh socio-economic challenges and widespread hardship faced by citizens, especially the youth.
Signed by NYCN President, Sukubo Sara-Igbe, the communiqué announced that the organisation would hold a world press conference on July 31 to address the nation on current issues and its stance on the upcoming demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) and Concerned Civil Society Organisations in Kogi State have dissuaded their members from participating.
In a statement yesterday in Jos by its Public Relations Officer, Reverend Ibrahim Kassim, the church acknowledged the severe hardship and insecurity in the land, but observed that the protests could be hijacked to replicate the #EndSARS disaster of 2020.
ECWA said: “We are all aware that protest can take different dimensions as witnessed during the #ENDSARS protest when hoodlums infiltrated the protesters and wreaked serious havoc that led to the loss of many lives and properties.
“Therefore, considering the volatile nature of protests in Nigeria, which can be hijacked by miscreants and result in humongous damages, ECWA, as a denomination, wishes to inform the general public that we are not part of the planned protest, and we are calling on our members to disregard the action in totality, and not to participate in any way.”
Addressing newsmen yesterday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Lokoja, leader of the Kogi group, Salihu Abubakar Onimisi, said they found it pertinent to advise Nigerians and youngsters against getting involved in anywhere in the state.
He added that while the Concerned Civil Society Organisations as an amalgamation of over 30 youth, women, as an artisan and civil society groups, recognised every citizen’s right to protest, necessary caution must also be put into consideration to avoid infiltration, which often leads to destruction of both lives and property.
The groups, however, charged the government to urgently tackle the rising inflation rate, end insecurity and ensure food security.
Onimisi added that state governors must also rise up to the occasion by investing heavily in agriculture and security.
