A Professor of Law and Founder, Women Aid Collective (WACOL), Joy Ezeilo says Nigerian youths can contribute more to national development through dialogue and open confrontation.

Ezeilo, who made the assertion while reacting to the protracted nationwide protest under the #EndSARS banner, in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Enugu, expressed worry at the dimension the development was taking.

According to her, it is sad that a protest that started peacefully is being hijacked by hoodlums, turning it into chaotic scenes.

“I am aware that the protesters were peaceful but as it were, hoodlums whether hired or not, have infiltrated their ranks and it is time for the real protesters raising accountability stake to retreat.

“Let the dialogue begin. Peace now, the government should take measures to protect lives and give enough time and window for protesters to withdraw peacefully,” she said.

She noted that it was time women leaders began to advocate for a strategic and realistic approach to assuaging the youths, starting with the much-needed dialogue and negotiation with government.

“We have an obligation as mothers to facilitate the restoration of peace and trust. The need for the overhaul of the security architecture of the country and police reforms, cannot be over-emphasised.

“The government should continue to show sincerity and we commend states of the federation for taking the right steps to mitigate this crisis and build youth confidence and trust again.

“It is not a weakness to retreat, but common sense in the light of looming threats to do so. We do not want our youths and children massacred,” she stressed.

Ezeilo however, said that most women were saddened by the happenstance, in particular, the shooting of peaceful protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on Oct. 20.

According to her, lamentations and blame games, as well as hard posturing, will not solve the problem, adding that all sides must be open to peace, dialogue, mediation and negotiation.

“We cannot afford to have this crisis linger much further. Everyone should embrace peace and women should be leading this time,” she said.

The former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, said that it was sad that women were not fairly represented in the various panels of inquiry investigating police brutality.

“A cursory look at the composition of those panels is a demonstration of the discriminatory and inconsequential treatment meted out to women in Nigeria.

”Yet, we have seen how female youths have shown capacity for transformational leadership in the on-going protest, notwithstanding the disconnect they have with women’s movement and understanding feminism.

“t is our job too, as feminist, to bridge that divide and continue inter-generational discussion on women’s struggle, human rights and the gender equality agenda,” Ezeilo said.

NAN