Concerned youths in Idanre, Ondo State, on Monday staged a peaceful protest to demand improved infrastructure and transparent governance in the community.
The youths gathered at the Better Life Youth Center, Odode-Idanre, before embarking on a walk to draw attention to the challenges confronting residents, particularly the poor state of public facilities.
Speaking during the protest, the organiser of the peaceful walk, Mrs. Alabede Iwalola, said the demonstration was aimed at drawing the attention of stakeholders to the pressing developmental needs of the town.
She highlighted several issues affecting the community and appealed to influential sons and daughters of Idanre, as well as government authorities, to prioritise the provision and development of social amenities that would improve the living conditions of residents.
Another protester, Agboola Imole, called for an urgent dialogue involving all Idanre indigenes occupying positions of authority, with particular emphasis on the Chairman of Idanre Local Government.
According to him, such engagement would provide an avenue for constructive discussions on the town’s developmental challenges and possible solutions.
He, however, warned that the protest could be escalated if meaningful steps were not taken to address the concerns raised by the youths.
As part of the demonstration, the protesters walked around the Primary Health Centre at Ese Oke, drawing attention to what they described as the deplorable condition of the facility.
The protesters pointed to the dilapidated structure of the health centre, inadequate staffing, poor amenities and the absence of essential medical equipment as some of the challenges confronting the facility.
A nurse at the health centre also appealed to the Ondo State Government to make potable water available at the facility and deploy additional health workers to improve service delivery, particularly in the areas of maternal care, pregnancy and delivery.
The protesters maintained that their action was peaceful and intended to spur urgent intervention that would improve the quality of life in Idanre.
