A CLARION CALL TO NLC, TUC, NUPENG AND PENGASSA AND PRESIDENT BUHARI'S CHANGE ADMINISTRATION! BY SADIQ UMAR ABDULLAHI. BSC, LLB, MA, BL, P.H.D, ESQ.

Thursday, 21 July 2016
A CLARION CALL TO NLC, TUC, NUPENG AND PENGASSA AND PRESIDENT BUHARI'S CHANGE ADMINISTRATION! BY SADIQ UMAR ABDULLAHI. BSC, LLB, MA, BL, P.H.D, ESQ.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) initiated a nationwide strike a few months ago, because of the government’s decision to increase petroleum prices from 97 Naira per litre to 145 Naira per litre. The decision led to initiating protest, by marching on the streets with the sole purpose of influencing the reversal of the government policy that was unacceptable to the general populace of the nation, thereby resulting to a massive response across the country.

Among other reasons that led to the protest was, the short supply of basic necessities and agricultural products which rapidly increased the prices of all basic commodities in the nation, due to high demand. The government also closed the country's boarder which further led to the increase in scarcity of products that are rare and insufficient in the Nation’s economy.

However, the Buhari led administration have succeeded in breaking the NLC/TUC, where very few people turned up to join the rally against the government’s policy. Citizens in some areas even threatened to assault the protesters while they walked the streets of some cities and the entire country, to a certain extent. This shows that President Muhammadu Buhari is still loved by more than half of the general population of the country.
By doing so the NLC/TUC has lost the capacity and support they have once had by being regarded as the "VOICE OF THE PEOPLE".

To this effect, "NUPENG" and "PENGASSAN" need to be very careful and plan their next move with caution, in order to avoid being broken like the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC/TUC), so they do not lose their mandate and support from the public as institutions that were established to speak and fight for the masses in the petroleum sector.

If they persist in protesting against the government and fail, it will not only impede their support and the authority they have, but will diminished their capacity and recognition in society, thereby, leaving the masses at the mercy of the government, and also place them at the receiving end. To render them irrelevant, if they do not succeed will lead to the emergence of new pressure groups that will be responsible for protecting the interest of the masses, which will pave way for a new voice of the Nigerian citizens.

However, not all is lost and gone bad in the current situation. In the midst of such changes and setbacks, the youths of the country have a golden opportunity to step up and take charge, through a plethora of activities and processes in order to make their voices heard all across the nation. By virtue of chapter two of the 1999 constitution, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which provides for fundamental objective and directive principles of state policy, gives the right to social, economic and welfare of citizens that can legally be embarked on by the, “YOUTHS, NLC, TUC, NUPENG and PENGASSAN", that is required to be strategic, peaceful and in conformity with the supreme law that governs the Federal Republic of Nigeria, here referred to as the 1999 "CFRN". "TO HAVE A VOICELESS SOCIETY, WILL ONLY PAVE WAY FOR THE DECADENCE OF THE SOCIETY IN THE END". The government, through the Legislative Arm, have done more than half of the job for the youths, by lowering the legally specified age of being voted into political office, which provides them with a chance to participate in the leadership of Nigeria.

As an elderly statesman boldly put it when asked about the difference between the youth in the past and the ones that are around today, saying," The difference between us and them, is we wanted the mantle of leadership and we fought for it, but the youths of today, want to be leaders, but only sit in one place and talk about it without making any effort, what so ever". This gives credence to the saying, “DON’T TALK THE TALK BUT WALK THE WALK INSTEAD". Based on this logic, youths of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should "ARISE AND FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY ASPIRE TO BE AND ENSURE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION TO COME".

Failure to do so will make history judge you as the failed generation. "HISTORY IS WRITTEN BY THE VICTORS".

May God almighty continue to bless, guide and protect us with his infinite mercy and wisdom. Amin