This writer matched the streets of Enugu and into Enugu Government House to force Group Captain Emeka Omueuah to speak to the protesters during Ango Abdullahi Must go riots in 1986. And matched the streets of Lagos again in 1990/91 from Unilag Akoka campus through Yaba to Dodan Barracks during the IBB must Go riots for his removal of food subsidy in higher institutions as recommended by IMF for IMF loan which Nigerians later asked him to reject.

All through June 12 riots in 1998 in Lagos, this writer matched the streets of Lagos till the Sani Abacha led military junta started shooting protesters and killing them in an attempt to stop the June 12 protests with Amed Tinubu and some other NADECO members sponsoring and supporting the protests.

The experiences this writer acquired from all those protests and from others the writer had read about in the past, including the Aba women riots during the colonial times, The slave Sugar plantation protests in Americas and the civil Rights protests of Martin Luther king Jr in the USA, Mahatma Ghandi led independence protests in India and recent Chinese, Hong Kong, Arab Spring and Palentine protests, have made this writer keep insisting that the Federal, State and Local governments must meet and engage the protesters and court their sympathy, confidence and dialogue in order to save this country from chaos, anarchy and total breakdown. Anachy and chaos are situations that will blow no one no good.

At the same time this writer is asking the three arms of Government to meet the protesters and engage with them and dissuage their anger and reasons for the continued protests, it will be proper to ask the youthful protesters to also accept the hand of fellowship and peaceful olive branch the government is. throwing at them for these issues to be amicably resolved and thus save further lost of lives and economies of private persons and those of the Nigerian public quoted companies and government.

First thing First. This writer proposed a few days ago, the immediate live broadcast to the nation by the President. Happily the Senate yesterday asked the president to do same in a resolution made by the senators. This is very urgently demanded and needed. In that speech the President should immediately ban both SARS and SWAT. He should go ahead and articulate police reforms including raising of police salaries and insurance and ban of police road blocks and extortions on roads and in police stations. These measures will cool tampers down immediately and restore hope to the youths that their voices matter in this country.

Some governors had reacted very well in marching with and engaging the youths and protesters. Some have instituted judicial panels of Inquisition to accept allegations against some offensive SARS personnel. All states should do this and genuinely pursue fishing out bad eggs in the police and punishing them according to the laws of the land.

Other reforms and requests the protesters demanded can be gradually addressed and implemented to move this country forward. But all LGA administrators/Chairmen, the state governors and the President should come to the table and discuss with the youths. Staying aloof and use of brute of force to stop the protests will not work. Reason is that even if government succeeds in using force to suppress the protests it can not succeed in suppressing the aspirations, feelings and burning issues inside the hearts of the protesting youths. And this matters most. One can kill the youths but no one can kill the spirits of the youths.

Now on the part and responsibilities of the protesting youths. Peace and dialogue have no better substitutes. A sick nation is better than a dead nation because the sick nation can get well tomorrow and bubble to satisfy the needs and aspirations of all the youths in Nigeria. So once government throws in the olive branch, all protesters must accept the invitation for peace and dialogue. Concessions must be given and time must be given to government to thinker the reforms and the best ways to achieve all the measures and changes the protesting youths have outlined. Here quick fixes can not work automatically. This is a democracy. Time is needed. No leader can act in crisis and under duress. The youths must allow the government to discharge the mandates the Nigerian electorates have given them to discharge till May 29, 2023. Any attempt to use force to evict the leaders out of office undemocratically can not work since the democratic system of government abhors vacuum. A vacuum courts anarchy, chaos and total collapse of the nation as we have seen in Somalia, Syria, Congo, Sudan, Libyia, Afghanistan, Iraq etc. And most Nigerian youths would not want Nigeria to become any of those failed nations mentioned above.

Finally law and order are paramount for the survival of every nation and developement of all societies and progress of every citizen. So both protesters and government persnnel must seek for restoration and maintenance of law and order while the nation protests and dialogues and seeks for changes and peace. So protesters and law enforcement agents must fish out criminals amongst protesters and security agents deployed on the streets this trying period. And those criminals must be made to face the wrath of the law. No matter how highly or lowly placed.

Once again let all know that life is sacred and has no duplicate. Every one must stay safe and keep others safe. Protests and quelling of protests are no reasons to die or to take life or cause deaths. Every killer or taker or life is culpable before the law and before God.

After the Covid 19 pandemic lockdown and consequent economic down turn, Nigeria, Nigerians and the various arms of Nigerian governments and businesses operating in Nigeria need peaceful and safe environment to operate and recover financial health and wellness. Everyone must lend a voice and a hand to ensure this peace prevails.

Long live the Youths of Nigeria!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Aluta Continua!
Mr Jude Udeachara writes from Aba, Abia State.
May God save the lives Nigeria youths. Amen! May God save the lives of all Nigerians! Amen! May God save Nigeria! Amen!#ENDSARS,#STAYSAFE,BRINGBACKOURGIRLS