By Sola Ojewusi
As part of efforts to help forge a great future for Nigerian youths, the President of African Children’s Talent Discovery Foundation, Engr. Noah Dallaji has waded into the ongoing face off between the youth organizers of the #EndSARS Protests and government at all levels in the country.
On Monday, the world renowned philanthropist made a whistle stop visit to Lagos to rub minds with opinion leaders at various levels in order to forge a way forward as far as current impass between the youths and the authorities is concerned.
During the visit, Engr. Noah, accompanied by one of the brains behind the project, Mentoring Commandant Alastair, were guests on Silverbird TV where they spoke extensively on the project.
During the programme, Engr. Noah was emphatic about a proper synergy between the government and the youths, especially the youthful agitators in forging a way forward in the interest of Nigeria. He opined that it would not be possible for the government to renege on its promise to meet the demands of the protesters as anything contrary would not augur well for the peace and stability of the country.
Dallaji however proposed a give and take strategy, the government conceding to the demands of the youths to the best of its ability and the youths allowing peace and dialogue to reign supreme. In the view of Engr. Dallaji, it should be a jaw-jaw rather than a war-war approach.
Dallaji and Alastair Soyode
Engr. Dallaji also expressed the belief that the era has gone when the youths would easily be taken for granted. In his view, leaders must now be on their toes to cater to the basic, legitimate needs of the youths and ensure transparency in the process. In the modern world of information super highway, when virtually everybody now has access to the social media, Noah conjectured, it is easy for youth agitation to go viral and any well-meaning leader must act transparently and ensure that his or her action serves the interest of the people rather than eliminate them.
From left, Soyode, Dallaji and STV Anchors
In the STV interview, Engr. Noah Dallaji and his co-convener, Mr. Alastair of International Mentoring Corp, London, revealed that this initiative which is to engender dialogue between the leadership of Government and the agitated youths would be taken round to as many states of the federation as possible, especially the worst hit states.
Finally, Mentoring Commandant Alastair called on the diaspora to support this initiative in order for us all to have a safer, prosperous and peaceful nation.
Dallaji and Soyode flanked by STV Anchors
Pictures and additional report by Michael Patrick N.
