KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)

KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)

By: Michael Mike

Kacran Appeals To Protesters To Suspend Planned Demonstrations And Calls On Federal, State, And Local Governments To Take Necessary Actions.

As the ten-day nationwide protest planned by Nigerian youths and their supporters approaches, there is still no clear indication of dialogue between the Federal Government and the protesters. This lack of communication could lead to severe and undesirable consequences for the peace, unity, and corporate existence of our nation. Therefore, the members of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), an association dedicated to fostering peace and unity between farmers, herders, and the good people of our beloved country, strongly urge the protesters to suspend their planned demonstrations. We also call on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to take the necessary actions to ensure the protest does not occur.

Our urgent appeal to both parties is based on the following reasons:

Although we acknowledge that Nigerians are experiencing severe hardships, including extreme hunger and other difficulties that make life unbearable due to the removal of oil subsidies, increased NEPA bills, and skyrocketing prices of food and essential commodities, we firmly believe that protests will not achieve the desired objectives. Instead, they will likely worsen the situation.

Protests, in our understanding, signify a rejection of certain government policies and programs for specific reasons stated by the protesters. In clearer terms, protests often represent a revolt against government actions or unwelcome decisions, which frequently lead to clashes between protesters and government forces, resulting in loss of lives and property, including those of innocent people who have no involvement in the protests.

Another reason for our serious concern is that protests in Nigeria often produce highly regrettable negative outcomes, which are more harmful to the protesters, the governed, and the rulers than providing solutions to the issues at hand.

In this regard, KACRAN has ample examples to illustrate why we do not support any protests. For instance:

• We have witnessed how protests led to the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1991.
• It is also documented that protests over the increase in the cost of bread from one pound to two devastated Sudan, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Sudanese, many of whom fled the country. Now, the cost of bread has multiplied to 250 Sudanese pounds.
• Libya is another example where protests, remotely influenced by Western powers, led to the downfall of the country. Libyans who celebrated the death of their leader, Muammar Gaddafi, are now suffering immensely.
• The pitiable situation in Kenya due to ongoing protests, where many Kenyans have been brutally killed, is another example of why protests are detrimental, especially in the Third World countries of Africa where hooliganism often prevails.
• In Nigeria, the recent End SARS protests in Lagos resulted in the deaths of many innocent people, the burning of numerous places, and the destruction of properties worth billions of Naira.

The fact that protests are likely to be hijacked by miscreants who steal and destroy property is another reason why protests are not the solution to our current problems of high living costs and lack of money to buy the now costly food.

Lastly, KACRAN is not in favor of protests and urges the parties involved to engage in peaceful dialogue to solve our country’s economic hardships. Nationwide protests pose a threat to Nigeria’s security and corporate existence, potentially leading to anarchy, statelessness, and, God forbid, disintegration. This would create a terrible situation where everyone is against everyone else.

KACRAN’s Suggestions for Solving Our Problems:

1. We fervently call on the protesters to suspend their planned demonstrations.
2. We urge the Federal, State, and Local Governments to take the necessary actions to achieve a permanent solution to our problems.
3. At the federal level, we call on the Federal Government to thoroughly review the protesters’ demands with a view to addressing what can be met. We also plead with the protesters to reduce their demands to acceptable levels.

Among the protesters’ demands, we passionately request the Federal Government to reconsider the removal of oil subsidies and the increase in NEPA bills.

We also call on the Federal Government to embark on the massive importation of food and other essential commodities and distribute them free of charge to our people for at least three months before the harvest period.

Additionally, we call on the Federal Government to provide relief materials and substantial funds to its commissions, such as the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and other commissions in the country, to purchase and distribute food and other essential materials to Nigerians for free.

At the state level, we call on our State Governments to purchase large quantities of food items and distribute them through their State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) and other relevant agencies.

We also urge our Local Governments to allocate substantial funds to purchase food items for immediate distribution to our local populace, particularly those residing in villages and rural areas.

In conclusion, given the severe consequences associated with nationwide protests as outlined above, we passionately request and appeal to our youths to suspend their planned demonstrations. We also urge our Federal, State, and Local Governments, in the interest of peace and unity in our beloved country, to promptly address the protesters’ demands and consider KACRAN’s additional suggestions for timely implementation.

KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)