Urges Federal Government to stop the ongoing brutality, killings at Oyigbo, Rivers State
Founder of Arise Africa Network and Chairman of Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) Imo State Chapter, Comr. Ikechukwu Anyanwu has called on Federal Government to give listening ear to the cries of well meaning Nigerians.
Speaking on Imo State Online Media Practitioners Association forum, the Publisher of Arise Africa condemed the inhumane treatments and ongoing terror unleashed on the people of Oyigbo, Rivers State.
\”Not long ago, Nigerian youths to the streets crying out with one voice against Police Brutality.
Yet we are witnessing Brutality right now at Oyigbo, Rivers State\”
\”I hope our leaders start looking inwards for a lasting solution.
I believe it\’s high time we save the Nation by Restructuring and bringing Reforms not only the Nigerian Police Force but the country as a whole.\”
\”Let\’s embrace peace, dialogue and constructively engage with authorities at all levels of government to bring about a lasting solution and an end to these crises\”
Anyanwu, in a statement commiserating with the victims of the Lekki shooting and all others including security agents who lost their lives, properties or got injured during the EndSARS protests across the country said he is really looking forward to an end to the whole crisis.
“We will not forget in a hurry, the ugly and sad events at the Lekki toll plaza on Tuesday October 20, 2020 and the subsequent wanton destruction of public and private assets’
\”The incident should never have been if peaceful protesters had not been confronted with live bullets and innocent lives lost in the process.\”
\”Anyone who makes light of this situation is not doing the country any good. Am happy that the President in his speech said the voice of the youths has been heard loud and clear\”
A statement issued by OMPAN Chairman and made available to newsmen said the chain reactions that followed and the hijack of that by some other elements, motivated by other motives is indeed saddening
Anyanwu commiserates with the families of all those who lost their lives during these period and leaders who equally lost public assets in their various states.
He expressed concern that the current hijack of the EndSARS protests by suspected hoodlums, looters and arsonists is capable of undermining the genuine and noble agitation of the Nigerian youths.
The OMPAN chairman said that the mindless destruction, looting,spate of violent attacks and arson across the country underscores and brings to the front burner the urgent need for Reform.
He explained that nation building is a collective task and all hands has to be on deck to bring about lasting solutions to the challenges and problems we are facing.
Government should start addressing the prevalent needs of the youths. According to him,
“ Instead of trying to gag the press by slamming fines on the media houses that reported these incidence, Government should dialogue with the people, Government at all level should start listening to the yearnings of the people. The voice of the people is the voice of the gods. We want a paradigm shift in this country.”
Anyanwu called on social media Influencers, bloggers, Journalist, Opinion moulders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, women associations and youth groups to rally round Federal and State Governments to restore peace, normalcy and order in the country because Nigeria is the only country that we have.
Nigeria is our destined home before our journey here on Earth. We must as a people respect the sanctity of human life.
\”We cannot be saying the voice of the youths has been heard while the action doesn\’t correspond\”
We call on the Federal Government to intervene in the ongoing killings at Oyibo Rivers State.\”