The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to the EndSARS protesters in the State, to remain calm, and “let the effects of the protest go down”, Page 36 learnt.
Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that Federal and State Governments have heard the voices of the youths, and have swung into action.
He therefore, urged the EndSARS protesters to allow the governments at all levels play their roles to make the demanded changes happen.
Thousands of youths across the country have in the last one week, been protesting against the harassment and extrajudicial killings perpetrated mainly by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, which has now been allegedly disbanded and replaced with the Special Weapons and Tactics, SWAT, Unit.
The Lagos governor, on Tuesday, took the demands of the protesters to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at Aso Villa in Abuja.
However, the protests have continued with many demanding for more reforms.
Speaking at the 20th National Women Virtual Conference of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, which held at Eko Hotels and Suites, in Lagos, on Wednesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the youths to leave the streets, and allow their “elected representatives to take up the challenge from where they left off”.
This was contained in a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile.
The statement was titled, “#EndSARS Protests: Sanwo-Olu, Oyetola, Lagos First Lady, Urge Youths To Remain Calm”.
The Lagos State Governor was quoted in the statement as saying: “I want to humbly request and appeal to our youths, that their voices have been heard; their grievances have been well taken; their cause is a just and important cause. We have listened to them, and listened to them very well. Government more than ever before will do things differently and positively. We can all see the efforts we have started since yesterday and today, going forward.
“I want to appeal once again, that because of the global pandemic that we have witnessed over last six to seven months, the youths should let the effects of the protest go down. And they should know that their voice has been heard, let government play their roles and play it well.
“Businesses have suffered; people are just coming back to businesses. It would be unfair for those businesses not to be able to get back on their feet again because we have a larger social-economic effect.
“I know and I appreciate the challenges that all of you are going through. I appreciate the unfortunate incident that has happened to some of our youths. But like I said, we have heard you and we heard you very well.
“Please let those changes that you asked for, let them begin to happen. We have made commitments in Lagos State and other states too have made commitments. Let us see the effects of those changes and commitments we have given.”
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