ENDSARS
#EndSARS: Anyone found culpable in Lekki Toll Plaza shooting would be held accountable – Sanwo-Olu
Sanwo-Olu has continued to ensure Nigerians that those found culpable in the unfortunate Lekki shootings will not escape the law.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that the Lagos State Government would ensure that anyone found culpable in last Tuesday’s shooting at the Lekki Toll Plaza would be held accountable for their actions.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Lagos State Government, after the Governor’s interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson.
In the interview with CNN, the Governor said, “We will be committed to a full investigation of what happened and people would be held accountable. They certainly would be held accountable. We would do everything possible to ensure that they are held accountable.
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“People have claimed that their friends and family members have been killed. So, this Judicial Panel of Enquiry is meant to bring all of these stories to accountability; where we can make restitution, where families can prove and identify officers that were responsible for this.
“I am not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am Governor of a State. The report would be out and we would channel the report to all the relevant authorities in the state to ensure that every one that is found culpable is accountable for the act.”
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He added that there was no international pressure on Nigerian leaders to investigate the Lekki incident, and he had met the #EndSARS protesters. He also acknowledged that the protests were legitimate.
“There are no international pressures whatsoever. These are genuine protesters that we all believe and we all have knowledge about. I was the first governor among governors, with due respect to all my other colleagues, who came out to meet with them, who started from the front. I carried the EndSARS flags with them. I met with them twice and we all had the rally together and worked together,” he said.
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Sanwo-Olu also said that the investigations would be a catalyst for positive change of Governance, and he saw it as a wake-up call for those in power.
“I genuinely believe there would be a change for two reasons. One, what has happened, especially in Lagos is extremely unimaginable. Number two is that it was a clarion call for all of us in government, especially understanding and realizing what the youths truly want us to be doing. So, it hit all of us like a thunderbolt and it was just a wake-up call,” he said.
READ: #EndSARS: Tinubu says he has no investment in LCC, collects no dime from Lekki Tollgate
What you should know
Nairametrics reported last week that several social media accounts had revealed that peaceful protesters were allegedly being shot at by the military at the Lekki toll holdout. The Nigerian Army, however, denied deploying soldiers to attack #EndSARS protesters who assembled at the Lekki Toll Plaza.
The Lagos State Government ordered an investigation into the Lekki Toll Plaza shooting that was allegedly done by some men of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday evening. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had also stated that Lagos State would not burn on his watch, as he tried to calm things down after hoodlums wreaked havoc post-Lekki shootings, and announced that the Judicial panel set up by the state would include the incident at Lekki toll gate.
READ: ASUU discloses why it is yet to call off nationwide strike
Bottomline
The Lekki incident has gotten the world’s attention, with the Governor and other members of government admitting that there were casualties as a result of the incident. The onus is on the Federal Government to ensure the recommendations of the state judicial panels are properly executed after they submit their reports.
ENDSARS
#EndSARS Aftermath: World Bank supports Cross River with relief materials
Cross Rivers State has announced that it has received relief materials from the World Bank.
The World Bank has supported the Cross Rivers State with relief materials to cushion the effects on the destruction of properties in the state during the infamous #EndSARS protests which rocked the state and country simultaneously.
The disclosure was made by the State Commissioner for International Development Cooperation (MIDC), Dr Inyang Asibong as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
The support became necessary given the material destruction recorded in some parts of the state. Dr. Asibong stated that the state government through his Ministry had approached the World Bank to seek support, especially in the delivery units of the World Bank Assisted Programme COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES).
According to Dr. Asibong, two parastatals were severely affected in the state during the protests, namely; FADAMA and Enterprise Development Funding (EDF), with most of the items in the aforementioned agencies looted and vandalized by hoodlums.
In lieu of this, the support from World Bank will be pivotal to re-engineering and preparing members of staff to return to work, in preparation of the Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES).
What you should know
- Some of the items donated include furniture, 20-seater conference chairs, air conditioners and inverters, laptop computers and printers, virtual meeting equipment, hybrid inverter with solar among others.
- The platforms that will benefit from the equipment include; CSDA, the state coordinating unit, FADAMA, EDF, Smart City, Public Work Fare and the state Cash Transfer Unit.
What they are saying: Dr. Asibong said: “We know that the poverty index in Nigeria is 40.1 per cent and this is really high. Cross River is lower than the national average, 36.3 per cent, we want to further reduce that our percentage to at least a single digit.
“I want to thank the World Bank for coming to our aid at this point in time and we can assure them we will make the best use of these equipment.”
Commenting on the CARES initiative which the relief material is believed to facilitate, Dr. Asibong said, “The CARES is COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus of the government. It is going to be a state-owned project and Gov. Ben Ayade is so committed about improving the lives of residents in the state.”
On the other hand, the Acting General Manager of Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Mr Fidel Udie remarked that the donation confirmed the good working relationship between the state government and the World Bank.
Mr Udie stated that the donation would put the state in a good position to participate in the CARES programme. He said: ‘’This programme is basically meant to target the poor and vulnerable in the society. Gov. Ayade was able to follow up with the World Bank and here we have these equipment to help the delivery units to be ready for this programme.’’
ENDSARS
Nigeria is committed to security, fulfilling demands of #EndSARS youths in 2021 – Buhari
FG is committed to fulfilling the five demands of #EndSARS youths.
President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that his administration is committed to fulfilling the five demands of #EndSARS youths.
The President disclosed this in his New Year speech on Friday morning.
“Nigeria is a country on a difficult journey to nationhood and greatness. We are standing tall in the committee of nations as one country united under the will of God,” he said.
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He added that the past year had posed challenges, from security to economic issues, citing the #EndSARS protests which he said, “were mainly led by youths and served notice to the demand of police reforms and accountability.”
Buhari added that the FG was committed to fulfilling the demands of the protesters with renewed determination in 2021.
“This government heard, listened and committed to fulfilling the 5 demands of our youths fully understanding that we all wish well for Nigeria.
READ: The “EndSARS” protests and the problem of police reform in Nigeria
“In the midst of all these challenges, I initially pledged, that as your elected President, I would ensure that these ongoing challenges would be faced head on with renewed determination.
“Your voices have been heard, and we would continue to listen to you and all stakeholders who are committed to the unity of Nigeria to ensure that every region is safe for us all, while guaranteeing the future is also secure for the coming generations.”
Buhari said that Nigeria needed to secure the future of its youths, exhorting young Nigerians as global achievers.
READ: Unemployment rate: Worse days ahead if economic policies don’t improve – TUC
“I wish to also reaffirm my commitment to the people of Nigeria, especially the youth, who need our collective encouragement, and support, in securing this nation, we need to secure the future of our youth.
“Our young people, are the most valuable natural resource; their ingenuity, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit is evident to all.
“Many of our young people are excelling in various areas of life including sport, entertainment and ICT, commerce and are globally recognized as achievers.”
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Buhari said that the FG’s engagement with young Nigerians would turn their passion into ideas, from tech to entertainment.
“As government, we are committed to actively engaging with the creative energies of our young people. We will partner with legislature to develop an enabling environment to turn their passion into ideas that can be supported, groomed, and scaled across regions.
READ: President Buhari directs NASENI to deploy refurbished tractors to farmers
“This will create vast opportunities in fintech, agriculture, business process, startups and the entertainment industry,” he added.
Buhari said his administration would focus on delivering key strategic priorities under the areas of security, economy, and the anti-corruption agenda.
READ: Nigeria’s forex devaluation timeline – 2020
On security
The President said, “We would direct our attention and strength to reenergizing, reorganizing the security personnel of the armed forces and polices…to enhance capacity to engage, pushback and dismantle the operations of extremists and criminal groups.”
Buhari said insecurity was a challenge, with direct repercussions on nation economic sustainability, growth and development. He revealed that in parts of Nigeria where chronic poverty, social exclusion were already problems, Boko Haram had thwarted efforts of the FG to undertake social policy that could make a huge difference in the quality of life of citizens.
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“We recognize that we have to move to a more proactive stance, to ensure that this sort of traumatic incident, does not become a norm.
“The administration is fully aware of the responsibility to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians, and we will not relent in learning and adapting to threats to national security.”
On anti-corruption
President Buhari stated that the nation had recorded gains and would be looking at reviewing laws to ensure a smooth prosecution process.
“On anti-corruption, we have recorded gains so far, and are committed to continuing on eradicating corruption through collaboration with all the arms of government to effectively prosecute this fight. We will also be looking at reviewing laws to ensure the fight to be more effective.”
On Covid-19 Vaccines
The President said that the FG was finalizing plans to procure and distribute vaccines effectively, but urged Nigerians to maintain social distance protocols.
“I urge you all to observe strict Covid-19 prevention protocols. My pledge to you is same as it has always been. I will play my part without fear; I invite all of us to do same. It is what we owe to the founding generations and also to the coming generation.”
ENDSARS
#EndSARS: Kwara Govt awards N181 million grant to business owners whose assets were looted
Governor Abdulrazaq has bailed out business owners whose businesses were destroyed during the #EndSARS protest.
The Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has awarded a total grant of N180,775,000 to business owners whose wares and assets were looted by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protest.
This was revealed by the Governor in a press statement issued after the presentation of the grant to the affected business owners yesterday.
READ: Six Nigerians convicted in UAE for funding Boko Haram in 2019
Governor Abdulrahman explained that the total N180,775,000 grant awarded to the business owners was based on the recommendations of the independent adjuster/committee that was set up to assess the damage and propose interventions.
The Governor said:
- “We do not have the capacity to give them everything they have lost but the grants given are our token of support to encourage them not to give up.”
READ: #EndSARS: Popular hacking group, Anonymous allegedly hacks Nigerian Govt. websites
He explained that the Government cannot do everything, but emphasized the fact that Business owners are key in the current administration’s goal of evolving Kwara from a civil service state to an enterprising one.
In this vein, he disclosed that the current administration in Kwara State is always willing to help businesses of all sizes to thrive and will continue to support petty traders with micro-loans (Yoruba: Owo Isowo), as well as SMEs to make sure they continue to grow and create more jobs.
READ: Nigerian Governors who have tested positive for Coronavirus
Why this matters
The grant, however, will enable affected business owners to come out of the disruption caused to their businesses by the disheartening attacks, vandalism and looting by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protest which spiked civil unrest across the country.
The fund will help to prevent the closure of key businesses in the state, and get them back on their feet towards the path of growth and sustainable expansion.
READ: #EndSARS: Presidency to ensure that a repeat of protests does not happen
Today, we issued cheques to 48 business owners whose wares and assets were looted by hoodlums during the EndSARS protest. The total grants awarded to these businesses stood at N180,775,000 and… pic.twitter.com/Xm8FSeXG0T
— Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (@RealAARahman) December 17, 2020
LEMMY JONES
October 27, 2020 at 6:32 am
Gov.Olu.Seriously I want to let you know there is a heaven and earth the both have their duty to humanity.guess what you are on one call earth and can swallow you any time for your evil decision who ever push you to order the killings of innocent peaceful protesters has your key to your investigation while you are looking into the eyes of millions of lagosian and juicely lying to them start the investigation by holding yourself frist to BOOK.YOU HAVE SIN AGAINST HUMANITY AND GOD.BE WISE.
Olusola adesina
October 27, 2020 at 11:11 am
All d episode just read above r meaningless until all d politicians return all looted money stocked abroad none of them have any right to demand anything from d people they talk and demand from us but carefully side tracked judgement on themselves if anyone is returning anything it’s got to be them first to return all looted money we’re not as gullible as u think bring back looted monies to bring all states to standard pls thks
Joshua
October 27, 2020 at 7:54 am
Why are they looking for evidence when there are CCTV Cameras at the Lekki Toll gate? There are also evidences all over the internet. These guys think we are a bunch of fools. They called us “phone pressing generation”. We used the phone to record their evil. We must see the end of this evil
Titus Paul
October 27, 2020 at 8:16 am
THE NIGERIAN POPULACE AND THE ENTIRE WORLD CAN’T BE DECEIVED, THE LEKKI SHOOTING WASN’T DONE BY THE GHOST, THEREFORE SOME MILITARY PERSONNEL AND SOME GOVERNMENT PERSONALITIES MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE LEKKI SHOOTING, WITHOUT WHICH THE ENDEMIC CORRUPTION IN NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT WHICH IS AMONG THE CAPITAL ISSUES THAT THE NIGERIAN YOUTHS ARE PROTESTING AGAINST IS YET UNCHANGED
Abimbola Kumapayi
October 27, 2020 at 9:39 am
If we bring Endstars to justice, what of the government’s Agent Provocatuers that instigated the attacks and mayhem.
What we need is True Reconciliation and not prosecution.