The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), at the weekend met in Abuja to brainstorm on the country’s worsening security situation.
The National Executive Committee of the NYCN, in a communique issued on Monday, said the meeting was held in consultation with civil society organisations, to lend its voice to the security situation in Nigeria and proffer some solutions and advice.
”Particularly with respect to the recent bombing of the Abuja-Kaduna rail track.
”The meeting was to consider the dire implications of the March 28, train attack on the Abuja-Kaduna rail track by terrorists, and their wider implications to the safety of the ever mobile Nigerian youths and indeed all Nigerians,” the NYCN said.
It noted that Nigerians should be free to go about their lawful businesses, but instead they were being held hostage on all fronts by people who were supposed to ensure their safety and development.
”These youth leaders had journeyed from far distances, and through very dangerous terrains, especially those who inevitably traveled by road, and even those who did part of their journey through water, to come to lend their patriotic support to the most urgent national cause.
”It was therefore the rudest imaginable shock for them to see the Honourable Minister for Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, in a total political jamboree, jumping around in the name of declaring for 2023 Presidency, rather than being in a sober mood.
”And seeking solutions to the pains of the grieving Nigerians, particularly the affected families.
”It is on the heels of this that we have decided to convene this wider consultation with leaders of Frontline Civil Society Organisations and take an assertive stand.
The NEC of the NYCN is equally saddened that Hon. Amaechi, who is supposed to take responsibility and lead the way in ameliorating the plight of the victims, has rather thrown caution to the wind and has shown no strand of care,” the NYCN stated in the communique.
The council expressed its frustration at what it described as the wicked and insensitive attitude of the likes of Amaechi, who were saddled with the responsibility of ensuring good governance.
”We are frustrated that while we are spending our resources, and risking the lives of the youth leaders in trying to seek solutions to our national challenges, politicians in the class of Hon. Amaechi, who have failed Nigeria in the first place, were working to force the country into a fatal amnesia by trivialising a matter as serious as the Abuja-Kaduna rail track bombing.
”Consequently, the following resolutions, statements and stand are hereby reached:
That Rt. Hon. Amaechi should apologise to Nigerians for his indiscretion of elevating his personal ambition over a national tragedy and a national sad mood.
”It should be noted that the minister sought to blackmail the president and the Federal Executive Council, when he claimed before global cameras that it was responsible for allowing the attack to happen because they rejected his proposal, which was been found to be lacking in integrity, as far as procurement procedures are concerned.
”That due to Hon. Amaechi’s callousness, arrogance and lack of feelings, he has not bothered to visit or interface with the families of the bereaved.
”He only went to the scene of the attack to himself as the nice guy who was a Nostradamus that was not listened to,” it stated.
NYCN, however, said it was confident that with President Muhammadu Buhari’s untiring efforts, Nigeria would overcome its challenges.
It further urged Bihari to rid the country of power thirsty politicians that were abusing their offices and tainting his good image.
The communiqué was signed by Solomon Adodo
President, NYCN,
Yusuf Ibn Tom
Secretary General
Nonyelu Williams
VP Southeast on behalf of all VPs
Okpanachi Jacob
On behalf of Civil Society Organizations.
