ENDSARS
#EndSARS: How Nigerian football players have reacted
Nigerian football stars have taken to social media to express their support for the #EndSARS protest.
Nigerian football players in Europe have been following the recent developments with the ongoing #EndSARS protests in major parts of Nigeria, including Lagos and the FCT. They identify with the Nigerian youths and joined in the call for an end to police brutality and reforms in the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
The football stars have tweeted their opinion and support for the #EndSARS protests at different times, via their official Twitter handle.
Backstory
Recall that the Super Eagles celebrated their only goal, by taking the knee in their 1-1 stalemate with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia during the international friendly match on Tuesday, October 13th. The unique celebration was done in recognition of the #EndSARS protests.
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What they are saying
Victor Osimhen, who plays for Napoli FC in Italy, sent a supportive message via a shirt inscription, displayed after scoring a goal in their last football match. The inscription reads, “EndPoliceBrutality in Nigeria.”
In a controversial tweet via her official Twitter handle, Nigerian and Barcelona FC female football star, Asisat Oshoala wrote, “Nigeria is a JUNGLE !!! #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality.”
The tweet drew a lot of backlash and she clarified with another tweet,
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“I LOVE NIGERIA, NIGERIA HAS GIVEN ME EVERYTHING even if it wasn’t in the easiest way, that is why I will also GIVE MY ALL in my own little way …make it EASIER for the next generation. NA ALL OF US GATHER LOVE THIS COUNTRY but NOT HAPPY #SARSMUSTEND #EndPoliceBrutalityInNigeria“
Tuesday evening, Nigerian and Manchester United striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, posted a video on his Twitter page saying, “The Nigerian government, you guys are a shame to the world for killing your own citizens, sending the military to the streets to kill unarmed protesters because they are protesting for their own rights? It’s uncalled for.
READ: #EndSARS: Lagos Inaugurates 8-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution
“You people will be remembered in history as the first government to send the military to the city to start killing their own citizens. I am ashamed of this government, we are tired of you guys and we can’t take this anymore.”
Ighalo also called for support in his video saying, “I’m calling the UK government, calling all those leaders in the world to please see what’s going on in Nigeria and help us.
“This government, they are killers, and they will keep killing if the world does not talk about this.”
Other internationals who have spoken in support of the #EndSARS protests are Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, Troost Ekong, Victor Moses, amongst others.
Business
ICPC Chairman reveals #EndSARS protests was financed with cryptocurrency
ICPC Chairman has revealed to the Nigerian Senate that the #EndSARS protest was largely funded with cryptocurrency.
The Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Commission (ICPC), Bolaji Owasanoye has revealed to the Nigerian Senate that the #EndSARS protest was largely funded with cryptocurrency.
This is as he said there are strong indications that it could be used to fund Insurgency in the country.
According to a report from Vanguard, this disclosure was made by the ICPC Chairman, during an interactive session with Senate Joint Committee on Banking, ICT, Cybercrime and Capital Market led by Senator Uba Sani on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.
READ: ICPC uncovers N9.8 billion Government money hidden in Aso Savings
The Joint committee was mandated to look at the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ban Cryptocurrency in Nigeria.
The ICPC boss while supporting the position of the CBN, said that the nature of operations of Cryptocurrency exposes it to money laundering and terrorism financing.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has said that the agency averted a $3million fraud linked to 20 bank accounts.
READ: ICPC moves against NDDC top management over corruption allegations, quizzes directors
Owasanoye further explained that the anti-graft agency currently has a number of cases linked to Cryptocurrency but is unable to track the suspects.
He brought the attention of the Senate to a period in 2018 when a number of globally rated financial institutions said their financial statements had been hacked with the perpetrators asking to be paid in Cryptocurrencies.
ICPC Chairman noted that the CBN as a regulator has the responsibility to ensure sound financial stability and it will be difficult to achieve in the case of Cryptocurrencies where the players are anonymous.
While sharing the experience of the Indian Supreme Court and how it ruled and admitted that it does not know what it is, he urged the Lawmakers to as a matter of urgency, take decisive action against Cryptocurrencies.
READ: Most powerful financial leader takes side with CBN, says Bitcoin is untrustworthy
What you should know
- It can be recalled that the CBN had directed the financial institutions to immediately close the accounts of such persons or entities transacting in or operating cryptocurrency exchanges, warning of severe regulatory sanctions in the event of any breach of the directive.
- The apex bank warned the Deposit Money Banks, Non-Financial Institutions and other Financial Institutions against doing business in crypto and other digital assets.
- The latest directive is coming after the CBN had in 2018 stated that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender and as such are illegal.
ENDSARS
#OccupyLekkiTollGate: Lagos Attorney-General explains large police presence at Lekki toll gate
Lagos Attorney-General has stated that the State does not support the abuse of peaceful protesters.
