By David Lawani
Following the robbery incident that led to the killing of innocent men and women in Uromi, Esan-North East in Edo State, Mrs. Joy Ojemoron, Coordinator of Young Women Advocate,YWA, has condemned in strong terms the attacks saying she expressed her condolences to families who may have lost their breadwinners.
She said it is quite unfortunate that this robbery went on without resistance from security agencies despite the hours that the robbers operated stressing that it further confirms the challenges with policing in the country as government and stakeholders will need to revisit the issue to protect lives and properties of the citizens.
In a statement made available to newsmen, she noted that it is quite sad that precious lives could be lost to such dastardly act because most of this youth are desirous of wealth without working for it hence the quest for it by all means possible.
According to her: ” In the wake of the unfortunate menacing assault and disturbing robbery incident that took place at Uromi Esan-South East L.G.A of Edo State in broad daylight on Thursday 24th February 2022, where several bank vaults were looted and many innocent lives were brought to an abrupt, brutal and gruesome end, I wish to first say that my heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones(men and women), and to the financial institutions who suffered wanton destruction and loss.
” I would like to add my voice to condemn in strong terms, such a dastardly act which I consider both a crime against humanity and a sin against God. This incident not only exposes the obvious inefficiencies of our policing but also creates an emergency out of the age-long insecurity discourse and concerns in the country. This country is old enough, if not big enough, to afford an effective policing network. Our citizens cannot be left at the mercy of the people of the underworld. There must be something the government can do to make this country a safer place to live in.
She stated that emphasis now should be on “Safety of living” rather than on just “safety of doing business” in Nigeria.
She said: ” Thanks to the Esan Youths who rose to the occasion by barricading the Ubiaja roads, preventing the easy escape of the hoodlums, recovering part of the loots and most importantly providing freelance investigative journalism services by covering the operation with their smartphones not minding the risk of being victims of stray bullets. That tom was the highlight of the whole incident. It was a show of gallantry, patriotism, national cum community consciousness, smartness, fearless commitment to being their brother’s keepers, which the Edo youths are known for.
” This show of bravery is not only praiseworthy but deserving of national honors and recognition. This tells you the extent the typical Nigerian youth is ready to go to protect and defend her country. “I am because we are. And because we are, there fins titmouse”.
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She however calls on the political leadership, government agencies, civil society, religious groups, traditional isn’t itutions to do more than just pay lip service to the wellbeing, education, development, empowerment, and equipping of our teeming youth population, to improve their prospects of actualizing their legitimate aspirations, fulfilling their destinies and maximizing their potentials to compete favorably with their counterparts from other parts of the world in today’s human capital-driven world of knowledge, ideas and skills.
” Unfortunately, Nigerian youths have become a ready army in the hands of the demonizing instruments of poverty, unemployment, inflation, corruption, despondency, psychological disillusionment, economic frustrations, socio-political disgruntledness, and the concomitant self-destructiveness that follow from all of these.
” By neglecting the Youths and the women who know how to manage their homes being wives and mothers and always working for the betterment of their home, our nation shortchanges and deprives itself of the enormous benefits which accrue from a vibrant and creative youthful population. Sadly, this is the opportunity cost we pay for not investing in our human capital. Whereas, the wiser nations are only better off for the input and value addition of Nigerian youths in their economies.
” There’s a strong message for all of us today. The youths we neglect today are our last chance at nation-building and our last shot at leaving a lasting legacy for the unborn generation of Nigerians. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bed. The youth and women are the light of this great nation”, Ojemoron stated.
