………..appeals to youths to embrace peace

By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State House of Assembly has summoned the Local governments transition Committees and the Heads of Local Governments Administration (HOLGA) to appear before it on or before Friday,16th of August, 2024 to account for the financial allocations in the last six months.

The House at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Chief Olamide Oladiji unanimously made the decision through a voice vote and said transparency and accountability at the local government level are very important to cushion the effects of economic hardship at the grassroot level.

The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan had earlier moved a motion for the concern people to appear before the house which was seconded by a Lawmaker representing Akoko North East constituency, Hon. Oluwatoyin Japhet.

The Speaker therefore directed the Clerk of the house, Barr. Jaiyeola Benjamin to write a letter to that effect, while the Committee of the whole house will carry out the assignment during their appearance.

Meanwhile,the house equally appealed to Nigerian youths to embrace dialogue and allow peace to reign in the interest of Country.

While debating on the “endbadgovernance” protest under a matter of urgent public importance,the house noted that the last few days had witnessed unabated march through the streets, occasioned by violence, looting and wanton destruction of public properties and loss of lives, especially in the northern part of the country.

The house said that “without doubt, protest is a constitutional right of the Nigerian citizen as encapsulated in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. However, such protest loses its value, track and taste when hijacked by hoodlums.

“As you can see, thugs and miscreants have taken over the planned peaceful protests across the country, especially in Kaduna, Kano, Borno, Katsina, Bauchi, Lagos and some South-South States, among others, culminating in unimaginable looting and wanton destruction of lives and property.

“Definitely, things are hard as you have articulately demonstrated in your list of requests in the last few days, but there cannot be a better way to resolve all the issues raised except through dialogue.

” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself alluded to this in his address to the nation, stressing the importance of dialogue to the resolution of the impending issues that precipitated protests across the Country”.

While appealing to the youths, the house stated that nothing tangible can be achieved through violence, stressing that there can only be meaningful development when allowed peace to reign across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

The lawmakers called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, well meaning individuals and public spirited individuals alike, to appeal to the youths to consider the option of peace and dialogue in resolving the pending issues.

They commended the youths of Ondo State for choosing to toe the line of peace in the face of raging violence that has taken over the planned peaceful protests and thanked the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students affairs, Kelvin Solomon Olaolu for his efforts during dialogues.

While commending Governor Aiyedatiwa, who has again proven to the world that the state is peaceful and home to all, the house added that the state is known for peace and this has rightly been demonstrated in the pending scenario across the country.

“The only way out of this hardship is for us to embrace agriculture in totality.Security architectures should be more structured so that our people can partake in farming.

“State Governors in the 36 States should create more jobs.Security agencies should handle the protesters professionally in as much it is peaceful. Brutalization should be discouraged.

“Sensitization of our people and orientation is also very important at this crucial period and we appeal to all politicians not to politicize the protest in the interest of Nigeria.

“The State Governors in the 36 States should support President Tinubu in cushion the effect of this hardship, while members should also try to educate people that the issue of inflation is a global phenomenon and violence is not the solution to it”.

The Majority Leader of the house, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi had earlier moved a motion for the matter to be debated which was seconded by a Lawmaker representing Okitipupa constituency 1, Chris Aiyebusiwa.