BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday said that the ongoing protests rocking the country over calls to end police brutality, are a wake-up call to the leadership of the country to put things in order.
Governor Makinde, who stated this during a visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, which was attacked by protesters on Sunday, stressed that unless governments at all levels quickly look at what to do to address the challenges facing the country, including that of youth unemployment, the protests, which he noted are the outcome of pent-up anger, might continue.
Makinde while visiting the Soun and the families of the slain Isiaka Jimoh and others who lost their lives during the #ENDSARS protests in Ogbomoso at the weekend, went round the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso to assess the level of damage done to the historic palace.
The palace was vandalised by irate youths during a visit to the monarch by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, on Sunday.
The governor also instructed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Bayo Lawal, and the Caretaker Chairman of Ogbomoso North Local Government, to make an evaluation of the vehicles and other items destroyed at the palace with a view to fixing or replacing them.
He said; “Let me also say that this is a wakeup call for us. As leaders, we must ensure that we quickly look at how to make most of our youths engaged, otherwise, this will definitely continue”.
Governor Makinde, who approved an immediate release of N100 million (One Hundred Million Naira) to the Soun of Ogbomoso for the renovation of the palace, also made a commitment to the families of the slain individuals to work with them to know the areas the government could be of help to them, in order to cushion the effects of the losses of their loved ones.
He also gave N1 million each to the families of the deceased.
Governor Makinde explained that beyond the #ENDSARS protest, most Nigerians have become frustrated over prevailing harsh economic reality in the country, stating that while his government is not against peaceful protests, protesters must be responsible enough to voice their concerns peacefully.
