State of the Nation: Young Nigerians convene Ohaneze, Arewa, ONAC and Ijaw Youth Groups for a Dialogue in Abuja

Recent developments in Nigeria have prompted young Nigerians to rise up to fill an abysmal leadership gap by calling together the youth leadership of the regional groups to a dialogue. On Saturday September 23, 2017 by 5pm at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Center, youth leaders of Ohaneze Youth Forum, Arewa Youth Forum, O’Odua Nationalistic Coalition, Ijaw Youth Council, and other interest groups will meet to air their grievances and dialogue with fellow Nigerians on the state of the nation.

In the last week, parts of Nigeria have experienced growing tension following President Buhari’s decision to instruct the Nigerian Military to launch “Operation Python Dance II” at the South East region of Nigeria. The military occupation of the home of the IPOB leader, which was met with resistance by IPOB members, led to violence in Abia State and surrounding cities, and a three-day dusk to dawn curfew announced last week by the Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Also in Jos, Governor Lalong imposed a dusk to dawn curfew, last week Friday, due to resulting clash between Hausa and Igbo communities following report of attacks on Northerners in the South East.

For so long, Nigerians have experienced inept irresponsible and non-responsive leadership from the political elite which has led to a breakdown in systems across board. The resultant effect has been agitation from regional groups who feel a deep sense of exclusion from the commonwealth. As the current tension threatens to take us back to days preceding the Nigerian Civil War, young Nigerians, in an unprecedented move, have decided to take back the future of the country. Speaking about the event, Bella Anne Ndubuisi a member of the Abuja Global Shapers, conveners of the event, said that “The State of the Nation town hall is a safe space for aggrieved groups, and indeed all Nigerians, to engage in an uncensored conversation about our nationhood.” “The dialogue will serve as a platform to discuss the way forward to achieving a more peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria” said Charles Okpaleke, CEO of PLAY Forum

The event is open to all Nigerians who want to join hands in building a Nigeria that works for all. The dialogue with the regional groups will be co-moderated by executive director of Tap iNitiative, Martin Obono and founder of Read to Succeed Africa, Simi Fajemirokun. The event will also feature a historical narrative of Nigeria by Premium Times Publisher Dapo Olorunyomi and spoken word performance by Dike Chukwumerije.

The State of Nation dialogue is hosted by Political Leadership Amongst Youth (PLAY) Forum in collaboration with Abuja Global Shapers, Tap iNitiative and Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Abuja Network.