Ulama in Kano Advocate for Youth Empowerment to Stem Off Protests

The Coalition of Ulama and Islamic Organizations in Kano State has urged the Federal and State Governments to urgently implement youth skills training, empowerment, and support programs to curb street protests across the country.

In a statement issued in Kano on Saturday, the Convener of the Coalition, Dr. Saidu Dukawa, emphasized the importance of these initiatives.

“Such programs would enable the youths to become self-reliant and take their minds off street protests,” Dr. Dukawa stated.

The Coalition expressed concern over the increasing street protests, unrests, and instances of anarchy, urging for prayers for peace to prevail in the country.

The statement came after a meeting where the Coalition reviewed the nation’s situation, particularly the severe hardships caused by hyperinflation.

Dr. Dukawa highlighted the Coalition’s concerns about the unstable and excessively rising costs of basic foodstuffs and the severe poverty affecting many Nigerians.

He urged the government to address these pressing issues. “The apparent excuse of those canvassing the street protests is the unprecedented inflation, poverty, and hunger in the land that have become life-threatening since the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the national currency,” he noted.

The Coalition criticized the government’s use of the increased local currency pool from these measures, stating it was primarily used for short-term palliatives.

They also pointed out that calls for mass protests by certain groups lacked a clear roadmap, causing anxiety among the populace.

“Many religious leaders and scholars have had to issue rulings and Fatwas in their sermons and lectures disseminated on both social and conventional media,” the statement read.

The Coalition also raised concerns about what it described as “the unprecedented deterioration of societal norms and the near-total lack of discipline among families,” attributing this to the prevailing abject poverty that undermines parental control and discipline. This situation, they argued, is a major factor in the rise of criminal activities, including previously unknown violent crimes.

In their statement, the Coalition called on government leaders at all levels to fear Allah and reminded them of the Day of Judgment, where they would be held accountable for their stewardship on earth.