Urhobo Christian Ministers Warn Youths: Protests Will Worsen Hunger, Urge Suspension

The Urhobo Christian Ministers Association International, has appealed to Nigerian youths to suspend Thursday’s planned nationwide protests over increasing hunger and starvation in the country, warning that it would further aggravate hunger in the country.

In an interaction with journalists on Wednesday after a visit to Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House, Asaba, President of the Association, Archbishop Solomon Gbakara, said the appeal became necessary following assurances that President Bola Tinubu was addressing the challenges that led to the rising hunger in the land, and pleaded for more time to enable him to address their concerns.

Gbakara said as Ministers of God, they were concerned about the peace of the country, and thus appealed for the suspension of the planned nationwide protests to avoid hoodlums taking advantage of the situation to loot shops and businesses.

He said: “I want to appeal to Nigerian youths that while all of us are feeling the heat of the hunger that is blowing like harmattan wind in Nigeria, we should also be sensitive and constructive in our actions and decisions.

“So, we are advising the youths that with what we have heard from President Bola Tinubu that he is putting in place to tackle the challenges, we advise that the planned protest be suspended for now. Let us look at the outcome of what Mr. President has said because we are believing God that the outcome will be good, and we are saying this by faith because we know our prayers to God will be heard.

“We advise that let the protest be suspended for now and let the youths go about their work so that the economy will not be crumbled because once the economy crumbles, the hunger will continue to increase and on the long run, we will still go back to what Mr. President has said. So, for now, let’s give Mr. President more time to bring to pass the promises he has made to Nigerians.

“We have been praying that action for peace is better than protests that will be destructive. We are praying for the peace of the state and the nation. We are praying for the peace so that hoodlums will not hijack the process to set us back. We are for the peace of the masses, peace for the government, and peace for both the rich and the poor, and for every citizen of this country.”

On their visit to Governor Oborevwori, Archbishop Gbakara said that their mission was to pray for the Governor and offer useful advice for the progress of the state and the country.

“Governor Oborevwori has listened to our advice and by the special grace of God, he will put them to use for the growth and development of the state. The Governor, specially and specifically requested us to pray for him for the peace of Delta State and for President Bola Tinubu, and peace of the country.”