ORON UNION LAGOS BRANCH CONDEMNS ATTACK ON PROTESTERS

The attention of Oron Union Lagos Branch has been drawn to an online video which reveals an embarrassing drama that played out between two protesting groups at Akwa Ibom State liaison office in Lagos on the 10th of August 2017.

We have studied the said video carefully and wish to emphatically and in strong terms condemn such shameful act. It was shameful not only because of the prominent role played by two Oro Sons in that demeaning display of incivility, but also because it demonstrated a desperation to suppress dissenting views in a fledgling democracy.

It is patently wrong to capitalize on the hardship of youths in using them as tools to achieve ignoble designs.

We seriously frown at the idea of mobilizing some Akwa Ibom Youths under the pretext of a spurious seminar on the Dakkada Initiative of the Government only to use them to violently disrupt a legitimate exercise of Constitutional rights of others.

It is our belief that everyone is duty bound to support the government to succeed in its programmes.

We also believe that this support will naturally come if the programmes are truly targeted towards alleviating the suffering of the poor masses of Akwa Ibom State across all sectors from education to healthcare, to infrastructure, to industrialization, agriculture, human capacity development, sport, culture, etc.

There is no need to coerce people to buy into Government's plans through the instrumentality of sponsored violence and suppression.

As a community, we have a reputation to protect which is why we are deeply embarrassed by the role of the two Oro Sons.

We shall no longer allow our youths to be used for pittance in pursuing ends with little or no relevance in governance.

The government handlers who came to take advantage of the solidarity exhibited by the teeming Akwa Ibom youths in Lagos should inform the Government that some of the youths lack means of sustenance and sustainable jobs to provide for themselves and their families.

They should advise their Principal that it is more productive in the overall interest of the State for the Government to embark upon programmes that would better the lives of these youths rather than exposing them to a public show of shame that has the potential to ruin either their lives or their reputations or both. While we advise our youths to be circumspect in getting involved in senseless protests, we enjoin Deacon Udom Administration to call its handlers to order.

The Governor does not need these distractions at this point in time because frivolities cannot bring about good governance.

We sincerely hope that this ugly incident does not repeat itself as we shall not hesitate to use the hammer on any Oro youth who allows himself or herself to be used in such a disgraceful manner.

Yak Abazi odioñ Oro!
Alexander Asuquo
SA on Media and Corporate Communications to POULB