Lagos Opens Dialogue Channels With Protest Leaders
The Lagos State Government has disclosed that it would engage leaders of the ‘End Bad Governance In Nigeria’ protesters.
The state’s Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, directed the Ministry of Youth and Social Development; Ministry of Information and Strategy and Office of Civic Engagement to immediately open wider channels of engagement with various stakeholders.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
On Sunday morning, there was a disagreement amongst the organisers of the protest at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota – the protest ground – after President Bola Tinubu’s address to the nation in response to the protest. While some of the protesters called for suspension of the protest, others said it would continue.
But Sanwo-Olu in the statement praised the leaders of the protest, saying: “Your stoppage of the protest today is a crystal clear affirmation of the fact that you know your collective voice has been heard by the government. What you have done is not only noble but the civilized thing to do.”
He noted that despite the rumoured stoppage of the protest, the dialogue and engagements which the state government initiated prior to the action must continue.
“Consequently, Mr. Governor has directed the Ministry of Youth and Social Development; Ministry of Information and Strategy and Office of Civic Engagement to immediately open wider channels of engagement with various stakeholders, including the protest leaders.
“The Executive Council members in charge of the Ministries can be reached on the following dedicated Citizens Access Lines:
“Office of Civic Engagement +234 802 522 4347
“Ministry of Information & Strategy +2348119655788
“Ministry of Youth & Social Development +2347077178295,” the statement said.
While commending Lagosians for embracing peace, the governor praised the professional conduct of all security agencies during the protest.
“Now it is fit and proper to, once again, warn our citizens to be very vigilant. Those who seek to divide us are yet to give up. They may continue to post fake news via audio and video channels. Lagosians must never give room to war mongering, scare mongering and rumour mongering. That is not our way; that is not who we are. That is not our style.
“Mr Sanwo-Olu, once again, praises Lagosians for rejecting anarchy and embracing peace. He praises the professional conduct of all security agencies, the Police Command, Department of State Services, the military, Civil Defence, and Neighborhood Watch.
“The governor notes with great pride the roles of our traditional rulers, Civil Society Organisations, Community Leaders, Religious Leaders, Students Leaders and others, who ensured Lagos remained peaceful.
He enjoins all Lagosians to continue their businesses without any fear whatsoever,” he added.
The protest which started on Thursday has been peaceful in Lagos.
