Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, has begged the youths of Edo State to refrain from destructive protests and looting of government-owned warehouses in the state as not all the food items stored in those warehouses are COVID-19 palliatives but strategic warehousing to help victims of flood, fire outbreaks, and those who may not be able to help themselves when emergencies occur.
He said, “From what I know, the palliatives were not being hoarded as widely believed, they are strategic food reserves and were deliberate government policies to help those who may come to situations where they may not be able to help themselves.”
“The government,” Ehanire said, “need to be prepared ahead of emergencies, because when they occur and the government is caught napping, money even when available will not be able to get the foods to be supplied because the markets would also have been closed.”
The minister who is an indigene of Edo State, went to Benin City to engage in conversation with Edo youths through the National Youth Council, Edo State Chapter led by the president, Comrade Osahon Obasuyi who came with the Executives of the State Council composed of Barrister Rose Emmanuela Ukhun, Comrade Emhonbotiti Eghonghon Charles, Ogiehor Ehis Tornado and Edo Shedrack Osamuyimen.
The conversation took place at the Edo State Government House. The youths in attendance highlighted the issues bothering them and expressed their wish to have more of the conversation in future. They also told him that the lack of such conversations is the reason why the youths took to the street. The engagement forum expressed regrets that the legitimate protest of the youths was highjacked in the way it was.
Dr. Ehanire used the conversation to impress on the youths that the government was battling with resource generation which had become a challenge in the face of several plans which it has been executing to ensure that the Nigerian society is conducive for youths and other citizens. He said that COVID-19 compounded the social and economic situation of the country. He appealed to the youths to work with the government to build and find opportunities to complement the private sector and self-initiated ones for the youths. He also appealed to those who he perceived had general education to complement with certain skills.
Following the nationwide #EndSARS protests, COVID-19 palliatives were found to be hoarded in different warehouses across the country and subsequently looted by identified groups in the last few days.
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