His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, the Emeritus Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, has voiced his support for the youth in their efforts to challenge and end bad governance in Nigeria.
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Speaking at an event organized by the Christian Youth for Peace and Development Initiative in Abuja on Tuesday, the cardinal reflected on the recent 10-day nationwide protests, tagged #EndBadGovernance, and emphasized that the youth, like many Nigerians, desire better management of the country.
Cardinal Onaiyekan noted that the protests, which saw large numbers of young people taking to the streets, were not intended to attack any individual or government.
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“The youth were not out there to insult anyone,” he said.
“They didn’t declare an end to Tinubu’s government; they simply called for an end to bad governance. Is there anything wrong with that? We should all be committed to ending bad governance.”
He further commented on the broader consensus among Nigerians that there is room for significant improvement in the governance and management of the country.
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Onaiyekan expressed understanding for the impatience of the youth, adding, “When Mr. President advises the youth to be patient, I wonder if he himself was patient when he was 30 years old.
The young people cannot afford to be patient, and they shouldn’t be, because patience, in this context, might mean inaction.”
The cardinal also emphasized the importance of peace, acknowledging that achieving peace in Nigeria is a collective task that requires the involvement of many.
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He expressed his openness to participating in similar events organized by Muslim youth, highlighting the need for unity in promoting peace.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s history, Onaiyekan pointed out that young people have always been at the forefront of the nation’s struggles, from the colonial era to the present.
He reminded the audience that leaders like Awolowo, Azikiwe, and Ahmadu Bello were all young men when they took up the mantle of leadership.
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However, Onaiyekan expressed skepticism regarding recent government measures, such as the introduction of CNG buses, questioning whether they address the underlying issues that led to the protests.
He also voiced doubts about the practicality and long-term impact of CNG technology in the current Nigerian context.
Ambassador Simon Dolly-Kif, Director General of the Christian Youth for Peace and Development Initiative, echoed the need for peace, urging the youth to embrace constructive dialogue.
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He lamented the economic disruptions caused by the protests and stressed that development is impossible in an atmosphere of conflict.
