The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Lagos State Chapter on Monday urged the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele to ensure adequate disbursement of cash to all commercial banks, saying any banks which failed to disburse naira notes to customers should be severely penalized.
The NYCN body also frowned against any protest capable of being hijacked by hoodlums and perpetrators of evils in order to avoid the repeat of the horrible experience during the EndSARs protest.
NYCN made the appeal during a Press Conference, held at the Youth House, Ikeja, Lagos, urging the youth not be negative tools in the hands of troublemakers.
The highpoints of the Conference included, calling for all-inclusive government policies and advised the federal government and CBN on the need to disburse new naira notes to all banks as soon as possible.
It also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
The group also frowned at the scarcity of fuel and fuel price hike and implored youth to be ambassadors of positive change by shunning violence in the general elections.
The statement to this effects which was read by the NYCN, Lagos chapter, Comrade Biliamin Sulaimon-Oba was co-signed by the Secretary, Comrade Agbaje Abdulhakeem and the PRO, Comrade Abiodun Ajayi.
The statement read in part, “In view of the current challenges facing the Nigerians which has led to series of protests and agitations from all sections of the country, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN Lagos State Chapter deems it fit to hold this press conference to make known to our government, the ripple effect of poor implementation of its policies.
“It is no gainsaying to mention that the nation is indeed in serious economic and social trauma. Our current situation is nothing but the adverse effect of not adequately considering the ordinary Nigerians and not taking into consideration the aftermath effects of every policy implementation.
“The federal government and its agencies must understand the fact that in order to have a more egalitarian society, there is a need to have an all-inclusive stakeholders’ involvement before policies are enforced.
Sulaimon-Oba urged the government to sample the opinions of all concerned persons before implementing any policy, adding “We hereby urge the current government and incoming administrations at all tiers of government to take cognizance of this.
“The people should not be put in a state of discomfort and hardship, like the masses are currently facing. Hence, government policies should be people-oriented and not only beneficial to the political class at the detriment of the masses,” he stated.
He added, “The Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele must, as a matter of urgency, ensure adequate disbursement of cash to all commercial banks and penalize severely any bank that fails to function appropriately.
“Also, the government must mandate the financial institutions to improve their technological infrastructures for ease of banking, as it is a key factor that will not only ease the burden of Nigerians but will as well strengthen the cashless policy of the Federal Government.
“The Lagos State leadership of the NYCN observed closely the series of protests in Ogun and Oyo states which led to loss of lives and property, hence, the Chapter decided to tow this path of Dialogue by airing our opinions in the media, especially due to the complexity of Lagos State.
“The NYCN, Lagos Chapter, frowns against any protest capable of being hijacked by hoodlums and perpetrators of evils in order to avoid the repeat of the horrible experience of the EndSARs protest.
“The people need to feel the presence of the government positively, There is a need to ensure that all hands are on deck, and hoarding of fuel by petrol marketers must stop.”
