TEXT OF A WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE CHAIRMAN, YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS OF NIGERIA (YEN) CHRIS KOHOL ON WHY THE NIGERIAN YOUTHS SHOULD SHELVE THE PLANNED AUGUST 1ST PROTEST AND GIVE PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU CHALLENGES.

Fellow young entrepreneurs, our vibrant Nigerian youths, our mothers and sisters, the great Nigerian women, our civil right activists, the political class, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen! Today, in the spirit of patriotism, I stand before you as the Chairman of the Young Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (YEN) with the solid backing, fatherly and spiritual blessings of our Grand Patron His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, CFR, to address a pressing national matter that affects all of us.

I belief you are all aware of the scheduled nationwide protest slated for 1st August 2024 to express anger with the current economic state of our nation. I am with the people and I understand the frustrations and concerns that have led to this call for action, however I urge you all to reconsider and shelve this protest for national interest- teurs are now exploiting on our genuine concerns to further their evil interest by destabilizing our economy, polity, national unity and national stability.

This protest if heard will definitely lead to chaos, economic sabotage, wanton destruction of lives and properties which is not in our best national interest for now. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is underway to reform our economy and tackle the economic challenges that confront us as nation.

He is barely fourteen months (14) in office and in as much as we are keen of instant change in the course of things in the nation, especially our standard of living, we also have to consider the long-term benefits of th economic reforms across many sectors of our economy. It is true that there is hunger in the land but do we throw the baby with the bath water? The answer is NO! Fellow young entrepreneurs, our vibrant Nigerian youths, in the interest of national peace and economic advancement, we plead with you all including our civil right activist, our mothers and sisters to shelve this planned protest and give President Bola Tinubu led Federal Government more time to tackle the economic challenges confronting us a nation at this ill time. President Bola Tinubu is not sleeping, since assumption of office, he has been working round the clock to ensure that Nigeria regains its lost glory in the comity of nations. Let us give him the time and opportunity to implement his policies and plans. Let us work together to support his administration and provide constructive feedback that can drive positive change.

As youth and young entrepreneurs, we have a critical role to play in shaping Nigeria's economic future. Let us channel our energies into building innovative solutions, creating jobs, and driving growth.

Together, we can make a difference. Let us choose dialogue over protest, collaboration over confrontation. For our political class, especially those who are part of the sponsors of the planned protests, I want to remind them that they have a critical role to play in shaping Nigeria's future.

Elections are over and it is now time for governance, let provide constructive feedback that can drive positive change. To our civil rights and civil society groups, we say as champions of democracy and human rights, we must recognize the importance of stability and continuity in our nation's growth. We implore you to consider the potential consequences of this protest on our nation's stability, economy, and democratic progress.

Let us not undermine the very foundations of our democracy. Let us engage in meaningful discussions that promote nation-building and economic growth. In the past, it has shown that protest can never offer us the solutions to our social and economic problems, rather billions are lost, lives are lost and properties are destroyed setting us back as a nation.

It’s time to think of the terrible consequences of this planned protest on our dear country, at this critical point, no patriotic citizen should wish Nigeria a setback. We therefore, implore young entrepreneurs and youths across the country to shelve this proposed protest and key into the economic opportunities of the Federal Government such as the 110 billion Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Federal Government Grants and Loans Program just to mention a few. At this time, as a nation let prioritize national unity and peace.

Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come. It’s known that nation building is a tough task and it imperative to appreciate the leadership efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Dr. George Akume, CON for the leadership strides so far and appeal for greater dividends of democracy for our people.

Young Entrepreneurs of Nigeria – Achieving Together, Building the Nation….

Signed

Chris Kohol
Chairman, Young Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (YEN)
30th July, 2024

My neighbor is complaining of same, I will help him to block the calls from Zimbabwe today.

Ok

Thanksgiving that was held on Sunday? Daily post is late

What are those bottles doing their? A brewery that's yet to be built has already become an achievement?

yorubae:
My relocation has failed 😔
Now I have to go back to state I camped
In all confidence that I wouldn't serve there, I left first thing on the last day without receiving my ppa letter
I'm humble now, how do I get the letter, how do I go about it? Any help is appreciated.

I'm batch C1, how long to do I have to do all the process and go to my state of deployment

Check your dashboard

Mamayam:
Please o, has any corper here been paid for this month?

I don't understand why we haven't been paid. Corpers in camp were paid this month, so there is money. The last Friday has passed since, today is the 30th. So for what possible reason are they holding our allowances?

SAPA don kill person here.

Which corpers in camp? We are yet to get the allowance in Bayelsa o.

They gave us our transport and bicycle allowance this week though.

immortalcrown:
I expected the report to be, "30 hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed IPOB have been arrested in connection with the attack on the Police in Abuja".

Why is the narrative always different about the East?

Meanwhile, na mumu go watch the so-called video concocted by the blogger. You withhold details just to lure people to watch your doctored video. Isn't there enough space here for you to put everything in text?

I won't even watch the video, it's bloggers like this that do get personalized by Google for luring their users to click links.

Richdee1:


Batch C2 right?
Congratulations hope you come with all your original documents

Yes, I will

Richdee1:


The state government pay CORPERs 8k every month but the money would b accumulated for you and paid in batches at the last 3 or 4 months of your passing out
What local government where you posted to

I am to resume camp tomorrow.

I've just been posted to Bayelsa state, my question is, do the state government pay corpers?

illicit:
Maybe now

I took the injection at school and was given a certificate but it was never required during my NYSC

Thank you, which year did you serve?

I am a PCM due to resume camp on the 24th November and I have a question to ask please.

Is this immunization against cerebrospinal meningitis compulsory before going to camp? And am I supposed to get a proof that I've taken it?

Please I need answers from those that went in Batch C Stream 1.

That Enugu to Umuahia road is know for that, I faced same ordeal when I was traveling on same route.

Yes, it was just a minor issue. My green card was showing 27th while the result was showing 26th, they changed it to that 27th.

sasxy:
How boss?

I went back to my school and they gave me another statement of result.

Update: I've solved my issue.

Aliyutani:
A Journey to Remember: My NYSC Posting Adventure

Let me begin by saying that checking NYSC postings is not for the faint-hearted. I remember back in 2018 when I checked for my e-call-up letter. Prior to that, I sought help to avoid being posted to the South and North Eastern states due to the distance and insecurity in those regions. You know, in Nigeria, it's all about having the right connections. I was assured that I would be posted to Kano. So, when my friend Faruk called me to ask where I was posted, I confidently said, "Kano" before even checking. But fate had other plans; I was posted to Delta state. As soon as I entered my details and the webpage loaded, I saw "Delta," and I felt uneasy and disgruntled, which was quite unusual for me.

I'm about to embark on my NYSC journey. I lost my opportunity to enroll for the mandatory youth service of Batch B after the café guy, Ghali, played a trick on me. He short-changed me after taking my registration fee, using the money for personal expenses. After confronting him and threatening to report him to his boss, his superiors intervened and scolded him. A day later, he registered me for batch C, stream 2.

Fast forward to printing the slip; I immediately called my uncle, a cosmopolitan who has worked in the North, East, and West. He assured me that I had nothing to worry about. I remember him saying, "This will be your opportunity to see Nigeria's diversity firsthand." His words eased my fears. I couldn't afford any more disappointments, and Delta state was never on my bucket list.

Realizing there was nothing I could do to change my deployment, I resigned myself to my fate. Now, all I needed was information about the camp's location in Delta State. I called my elder brother, who had once lived in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria, to ask if he had heard of Issele Uku town in Aniocha North Local Government. After a brief pause, he replied, 'Yes, I have. It's by the roadside before you reach Asaba, the state capital,' he said. That was somewhat reassuring.

'Not to brag, but I know the region like the back of my hand,' Abdulrahman said. Abdulrahman hails from Edo state, which is a few hours away from Delta.

I booked an evening bus to Delta state, staying at the park until 9 pm before we hit the road at Television Garage. There was a brief commotion at the park when we heard a loud bang, and everyone scattered for safety, including the driver. Unbeknownst to us, it was a burst tire; bomb blasts were rampant at the time. After realizing what had happened, we all laughed it off.

With my headphones on, I immediately plugged in my phone to listen to the then-trendy music, pondering what lay ahead. While vibing and grooving to the music, I heard a loud thud. Our bus nearly veered off the road around midnight, sending shivers down my spine. The driver managed to hit the brakes, bringing the bus to a halt. All passengers, including myself, hastily disembarked. It took the driver about an hour to fix the hummer bus.

We reboarded the bus, this time with my senses on high alert, scanning the road. Along the way, the hummer bus developed another issue, with the front light failing to illuminate the road ahead. We were in a tight spot, and I couldn't help but wonder, "What if armed robbers were to target us?"

The front light was badly damaged due to the earlier accident. The driver, realizing this, called his co-driver and waited for us. We drove at a snail's pace to catch up with him. He provided us with backlight so that we could continue the journey until we reached Lokoja. We made a stop at Lokoja not only as a transit point but also to offer our prayers.

After fixing the front light, we continued our journey. I noticed the driver discreetly handing money to soldiers manning the checkpoints we passed. I wanted to ask but kept quiet like a spy.

The Okene road was in terrible condition, and it took us hours to get past Okene. I noticed enormous palm trees along the way. We arrived in Benin City at dawn, where I observed tombstones in front yards and statues carved to honor the deceased. That marked the beginning of my culture shock.


We arrived in Delta State around 12 pm. The vegetation is lush green, with gigantic canopy-like trees. I took a taxi that dropped me off at Aniocha North Local Government Area. The taxi, upon reaching there, dropped me by the road. From there, I hopped on a motorcycle to Issele Uku NYSC Orientation Camp. We haggled over the fare, settling on N100. I informed the bike man that I had to go to the camp and was aware of the standard fares. Later, I found out that motorcycle riders often charge as much as N500 per trip.

Upon reaching the camp, I disembarked from the motorcycle and picked up my bags at the gate. I showed the soldier my call-up letter to gain access. I immediately joined the registration and documentation queues. After completing the registration, I was shown the way to the hostel. I belonged to Platoon 3 (Humility).

I was excited to see people from diverse cultures and ethnicities. Nigeria is truly diverse. I learned about the culture and traditions of Deltans, who are known for their hospitality.

NYSC camp is like a military barracks, where those in charge decide what you eat, wear, when you sleep, wake up, and even your mobility is programmed as well. We were woken up early in the morning for parades and in the scorching afternoon for various forms of physical exercise. The camp commandant called me and Sakina 'water bottles,' a military term for individuals of small stature and petite build.


A camp is a place where a well-mannered person can become promiscuous. When I realized this, I acquainted myself with well-mannered and culturally diverse friends, and in camp, I learned to become more tolerant. It's a place where the haves and the have-nots mingle. I remember that the half-sister of the then Kwara state governor was in the camp.

Sakina and Fatima are Yoruba girls from Osun state, while Victoria is from Ondo state. They are nice and down-to-earth ladies. I was able to clear up some misconceptions about the North. I also set some boundaries in the camp; I stated that no one should call me 'Aboki' because it is derogatory to me. When someone refused to comply and called me 'Aboki,' I responded with 'Alade,' a Hausa word for pig.

I remember a day when I barged into a conversation with an Igbo girl, Esther. She claimed she had never been to the North. She said her dad warned her to stay away from Northerners, as according to him, they are evil and have no regard for the sanctity of human lives. Her dad planted a seed of hatred for the North, but during camp, she learned about the North firsthand and even wanted to visit after NYSC. We had a lengthy conversation and instantly became friends. I also had another encounter with a South Easterner, and I was able to educate her about the North. She seemed pleased.

I also met those who are espoused to the Biafra ideology and cultists. I was able to pinpoint them during our debates. One day, my friend Aminu from Katsina rushed to the place where we normally hang out to rest under a tree. He was shocked and fidgeting. From his countenance and body language, I could tell that something was amiss.

"Do you remember that tattooed guy with a strong physique and a strange hairdo?" I asked. "I saw him drinking a black, thick concoction with a half-naked lady in the bush, and I also saw a deity-like figure," he said. "Yes, I do," I replied.

My mind then wandered in thoughts. I remembered my altercations with him. What if he hunted me, I said to myself discreetly. I think I'm making a mountain out of a molehill; there's no cause for alarm, I concluded quietly and unnoticed. I mustered some courage and continued my path of bravery, even though my heart was palpating.



I joined the cultural dance troupe and drama group. That's soothing; at least I can now avoid the parade; it's exhausting. To avoid the parade, I normally hide in the toilet until I hear no more sound before coming out.

"Hey! I haven't been seeing you at the parade," I said. "I'm like MTN everywhere you go," I replied to the soldier. He smiled. "From today onwards, we'll have cultural dance rehearsals. The dance group is for those who are removed from the parade for one mistake or another.

We learn how to play and beat the drum. We came first in the drama display. I played the role of a police officer.



I, Muhammed from Jos, feigned sickness in order to get relocation, despite Sakina and Fatima's advice. They tried to talk us out of this.
We were all homesick, missing our friends and family.

Upon passing out, I noticed that Fatima and Sakina were teary-eyed. I was moved to tears too inside the bus we booked. That same fate returned to Kano where I was posted to SDY Engineering and Construction Company in Bompai, Kano. I made friends, who are more than friends, both in the South and North, all thanks to NYSC.

I missed Delta State. I missed their food, and I came to realize this: "Truly, Warri no dey carry last.


*About Me*
_Freelance architect with 3+ years experience, skilled writer, columnist with passion for designing and communicating innovative and functional spaces._

Name: Arc Aliyu Tanimu
Email: Aliyutani@gmail.com
Social media handle: @IamAliyu_Tee
Number: +2347033399363

What an interesting read, I wish to enjoy my time in camp like you.

I am here to read comments and learn

007kjb:
What is wrong in identifying yourself to people u are living with?

U don run carry am come nairaland make we now clap for you

Pray non of the youths finds this and trace it to you MUGU

Nothing is wrong with that but they should not complain when yoruba's do same in Lagos

You deal with it

Ok

Loic001:
.

Yes,I enjoyed my stay in camp. Although the first week was stressful. My PPA is a local government Secretariat.

Which local government secretariat?

Former Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom signed many MoUs and ended up doing nothing

Good for him, lawyers about to cash out

Yahaya Bello, stop talking about what you don't fully understand. Those presidential candidates have the right to appeal the judgments. Congrats to Natasha Akpoti, she put in a good fight.

He should put his wife in his shoes, how much was he using to prepare a delicious and good soup for himself when he was single.

The person that wrote this piece really know this, I've learnt a lot from this

I don't know, it's uncountable

Congrats to him, Orji should go to Appeal if possible up to the Supreme Court since he have the money to waste.

So dedicate one of his staff to be picking these bra's, Drake is really a clown.

GeneralDae:

So we must wait for Government to keep our streets tidy and organized?

The streets are not constructed so how can we keep them tidy?