By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Female traditional ruler and village head of Akai Effa community in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River State, Her Royal Highness Henrietta Efa Akpera, has urged youths in her domain not to take part in the planned nationwide anti-hunger protest.
The monarch made the appeal yesterday in Calabar shortly after addressing youths in her domain on the need for round table discussion with the government.
Akpera stated that expressing their grievances with violence wasn’t the best option as the protest may snowballed into an issue that will be difficult to stop or control
She said that street protest could be like adding salt to an already existing injury, as the organizers of the street protest may not have the capacity to control the crowd, a situation she said might end up been hi-jacked by hoodlums.
Speaking with journalists shortly after conferring an award of honour on the state Commissioner for Lands, Dr, Francis Ekpeyong, and other 19 illustrious sons and daughters of the community for their numerous contributions towards the socio-economic development of Akai Effa community, the monarch stressed on the need for dialogue.
She said, “Although I am not holding brief for the country’s President on the response for economic hard times faced by Nigerians, what I am asking for is for you people to have a rethink regarding the street protest that could lead to break down of law and order.
“Your people might have a good intention, but what about the hoodlums? Just like what happened during the 2020 #EndSARS protest where property worth millions of naira were looted.
“I appeal to youths in our community to please calm down and seek for opportunity to dialogue with the government.
“Your leaders can send a delegation to negotiate with government on how to find a way forward in resolving the economic issues instead of resorting to violence.
“I am pleading with youths as a mother, I am on bended knees that they should hold on and find a way to negotiate with the Federal Government. Let’s not destroy what we have built.”
