AHEAD of the planned nationwide protest in August, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has directed its 104 affiliate organisations to remain on standby.
The directive was given in a communique released on Thursday by the NYCN President Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo.
It followed an emergency meeting of the National Executive, 36 state chairmen, and other stakeholders held via Zoom from Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday.
The group expressed deep concern over the severe socio-economic challenges and widespread hardship faced by citizens, especially the youth.
“We recognise the challenges faced by our country and the need for urgent action to address these issues. As we prepare to address the nation, we call on all stakeholders to support our efforts and to work together towards a better Nigeria,” the statement read.
“The meeting was held via Zoom and lasted for several hours, addressing the urgent concerns of Nigerian youths and the overall socio-economic and political climate of the country.
“NYCN leaders acknowledged that the current socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria, including rising inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and the general hardship experienced by citizens, particularly the youth, have reached alarming levels.
“These issues have sparked widespread agitation and calls for a nationwide protest. The NYCN, as the umbrella body representing over 100 youth organisations across the country, recognizes the urgency of these matters and the need for a coordinated response.”
NYCN said it would, in the next four days, consult widely with various stakeholders, including government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues.
