Protest: APRA stands with Nigerians, urges continuous dialogue over economic hardship

*Arik Karani, President of the African Public Relations Association, urges stakeholders in the Nigerian system for a sincere and continuous dialogue to ensure speedy resolutions of the socio-economic issues that led to the protest across the West African country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The African Public Relations Association (APRA) has expressed its unequivocal solidarity with the Government and people of Nigeria over the protest embarked upon in response to the rising costs of living in the country.

Arik Karani, President of APRA, who noted this in a statement issued Friday, August 2, 2024, said continental PR body urged the stakeholders for a sincere and continuous dialogue to ensure speedy resolutions of the issues that led to the protests.

The Association also acknowledged that protests and advocacies for improved social conditions are constitutive of civil liberties and central to democratic practice.

“Indeed, democracy dies without a guarantee of civil liberties,” stated Karani.

APRA, therefore, commended the Nigerian Government for its expressed guarantee and non-aversion to the expression of the right to protests by citizens, and the actions the authorities have taken to prevent the escalation of the crisis in the West African country.

On violence, looting during nationwide protest

The statement, however, noted APRA’s concerns about the reported deaths of persons, including citizens and security forces, injuries to several individuals, looting of business assets, theft of equipment, and other resources in public utilities.

It stated these included theft of telecommunications infrastructure, food processing companies, as well as instances of destruction and arson that have resulted from the first day of protests.

Karani said: “APRA’s commitment to seeing Africa prosper requires that we condemn the unjustifiable death of citizens and security personnel, as well as looting and vandalism of infrastructure emplaced to improve the quality of life of the people.

“Therefore, we call on all actors – state and non-state – to stop the hostilities and the outrage.”

The President of the PR body further averred that in their stead, APRA advocates continuous dialogue and sincere conversations to ensure quick and concrete resolutions of the issues.

“We call on the Government of Nigeria, including subnational entities, to work with all stakeholders and restore normalcy to the nation. Nigeria is central to Africa’s vision for the progress and development of the continent.”

According to Karani, APRA shares in the grief of families that have lost their members in the ongoing crisis, and prays for the repose of the souls of the departed.

He also stated: “We wish those recuperating from injuries a speedy and complete recovery and hope that institutions and persons that have lost properties will be supported to recover quickly and return to business to support government’s effort to reflate the Nigerian economy.”