Nigerian Musician Dr. Bongos Ikwue Urges Government to Address Demands of Protesting Youths
In a recent statement, Dr. Bongos Ikwue, a celebrated Nigerian musician, has appealed to government and leaders to address the demands of protesting youths and the masses. The musician’s plea comes in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protests, which have been ongoing in the country.
Ikwue emphasized the need for government to be liberal in accepting both the protesters and their actions as part of the checks-and-balances of democracy. He noted that Nigerian leaders should be aware of the paradigm shift, where modern-day Nigerians have evolved to holding their leaders accountable, a departure from docility.
The musician also stressed that bad governance is not limited to government alone but also affects homes, communities, organizations, religious organizations, and associations. He urged leaders to address the demands of protesting youths and the silent affected masses, including local, state, and federal governments.
Ikwue expressed his willingness to collaborate with government at the local, state, and federal levels to engage the youths meaningfully and effectively. He emphasized the importance of addressing the condition of the youths, which can be used to predict the future of the country.
The musician highlighted the obvious hardship in the country, which he attributed to the increase in fuel pump price, as most activities in the country rely on the use of premium motor spirit (PMS). He empathized with Nigerians and the government, noting that the country has been grappling with hunger, insecurity, violent attacks, inefficient healthcare, and inadequacy of all sorts.
Ikwue appealed to the youths to cultivate the culture of thinking out pragmatic, yet simple, solutions to challenges facing them as individuals and collectively. He advised against resorting to violence or giving room to agents of destruction when calling the attention of government to their grievances.
The singer also advised youths against taking illegal routes to acquire wealth, urging them to exploit the numerous opportunities and resources available in the society. He suggested that government implement measures to address the hardship in the country, including reducing the demand for PMS by embracing CNG-powered vehicles, electric vehicles, and affordable mass transit schemes.
Ikwue concluded by appealing to government to open up an efficient communication mechanism for better mutual understanding of its programs and the feelings of the public.
