The Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, Mr Olalekan Biliamin Sulaimon-Oba has said that all youth Forum In Lagos State should not be attributed to endsars protest.
Oba made admonition while speaking to the Kosofe Post at the Lagos Youth Symposium with the Theme: Rebuilding for greatness ‘peaceful conflict resolution’ held at Blueroof LTV 8, Ikeja Lagos on Tuesday.
He debunked the notion that the symposium was put together played down Endsars memorial.
“We shouldn’t attribute ever youth Forum in Lagos State as a movement or result of endsars protest. Naturally, Government should engage the Youths consistently,” Biliamin Oba noted.
Lagos State Youth Symposium is one of the way of engaging the youths to listen to their yearnings. He added that if the discussion at the programme and resolutions arrived at is well implemented will go a long way bridge the gap between the youths and government.
Oba disagreed with the narratives that main cause of the Endsars protests was triggered as result of Drug abuse . “Honestly, to be candid and honest to ourselves the police brutality has become a menace and the youths were pushed to the Wall to actually stand on their feet and say a enough is enough,” Oba noted.
“In as much as, We as a comrades at the Youth council we do Advocate for civil protest but we are saying is this that protest that will to destruction is no longer a protest. You protest to get something good for your struggle”
“Endsars protests is a good agitation. However, it becomes an issue when it was hijjacked. It was hijjacked because those that started the Endsars protests were claiming that they don’t have a leader and when you have a protest without a leader implies that you don’t have control over those that are protesting with you.
“Every protest should have a leader after protest they should be dialogue as well, not just about protesting at some points the two parties will come to a round table and have a dialogue to move forward.”
Drug abuse truly is a menace in our society and its something our society need to check very well. Honestly, what The Youth council is doing at the moment we are embarking on door to door campaign at the grassroots Level to start talking to the youths that drug abuse kills based sensitization will give to them.”
Speaking truefully he said Endsars protests was not just influenced by drug abuses. He alleged that online fraudsters who felt the disbanded SARS were harrassing and they started pomping money into the movement. While some joined the protest without understanding and others joined because of the entertainment and the food supply.
“All the same the agitation is a serious one, is something we all have to Commend them, not that we are supporting the destruction that was recorded. Atleast, for the first time the youth came together and say enough is enough to Police brutality should be something to put an end.”
“It’s not about youths alone, It’s about total reformation of even the Police institutions. The police are suffering as well, they deserve better as well. So, the Endsars protests is not only about the youths, police brutality alone is about asking that if the police are in good shape they will keep harrassing, extorting the youths on the street. It’s for the Youths and Police as well.”
Lagos Youths charter Act for every Lagos youths to know their rights and Limitation, Creation of Youths and students Department in all the Local Governments, and department similar to Public defender units under Ministry of Justice that will address mainly youths related problems among others were contained in the proposal presented to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu at the symposium.