The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen.Godswill Akpabio has appealed to youths of the Niger Delta region to shun violence and embrace peace saying that government focuses to address their demands as it relates to the #EndSARS movement.
Akpabio made the appeal at stakeholders press conference comprising the youth in Uyo.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari has directed all ministers and aides to the President to appeal to youth in their respective states and region to eschew violence as the region has suffered enough destruction by militants before now.
Akpabio, who is a former governor of Akwa Ibom said he was saddened by the violence that was caused by hoodlums, who hijacked the #EndSARS protest to cause wanton destruction and looting of public and private property.
The minister called on youth of the Niger Delta region to shun acts capable of truncating the peace in the region.
He urged the youth to embrace programmes and policies roled out by President Bubari aimed at addressing the challenges of the area.
“We have gone round and seen the level of destruction in the state, it is a sordid site. People were working in all these places they destroyed. This is very sad and regrettable. This must stop.
“I am constraint to address you on the #EndSARS protest which started peacefully and has turned into mayhem and criminality.
“The federal government is very serious in addressing the yearnings of the proper #EndSARS protesters but condemned the wanton destruction and looting of public and private property.
“The youth should know that they are leaders of tomorrow and should not cut short their life through criminality
“We are appealing to the youth to cease the protest and come to the table and dialogue. We are very proud of our youth,” Akpabio said.
He commended the governors in the region for taking steps to ensure that security of lives and property of people of the area were protected.
He called for a bipartisan approach in the south south to address the issues raised by the youth.
In his remarks, The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta, Sen. Ita Enang, warned youth of the region against destroying public utilities and infrastructure.
He urged all those with genuine complaints to avail themselves of the Judicial Committee of Inquiry to address their complaints.
The Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom in the Federal Character Commission, Mrs Dora Ebong, advised people in the state who are aggrieved about federal character issues to foward their demands to the commission for attention.
