NANS ZONE D Salutes Nigerian Youth…. Demands Tactical, More Diplomatic Approach to Embrace Peace While Calling for Better Nigeria
NANS ZONE D Salutes Nigerian Youth…. Demands Tactical, More Diplomatic Approach to Embrace Peace While Calling for Better Nigeria .
The National Association of Nigerian Students, Southwest (NANS Zone D), under the leadership of Kappo Olawale Samuel has saluted the courage of Nigerian Youth and their tenacity to kick against police brutality and ask for better Nigeria . He noted with concern that the demonstration by Nigerian youths calling for police reform, particularly the abolition of the Special Anti- Robbery Squad(SARS) of the Nigerian police, accused of misconduct has been hijacked and turned violent.
” Firstly, the leadership of the association soberly expresses her condolence to the families and friends of comrades who lost their lives during the protest and wishes the injured a speedy recovery “, NANS Zone D Coordinator, Kappo Olawale stated.
” As a conglomerate of youths and the apex body of students in Nigeria, NANS ZONE D, while recognizing the right of citizens to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly cum protests, we urge our fellows at the frontal and behind the scene of what started as a peaceful demonstration to embrace peace, to exercise civic rights in a non-violent manner and if possible, to retreat for now so as to prevent those with ulterior motives from hijacking the peaceful message of peace “.
” The whole world is aware of our peaceful conduct and we must not let some bad elements tarnish this enviable integrity. It is crystal clear that at this point, a total overhauling of the police department and sanity in government is inevitable in Nigeria. We have really done well by asking for a better Nigeria our forefathers couldn’t ask for during the last sixty years of impunity. Therefore, we encourage everyone involved in this movement of better Nigeria to adopt a tactical and more diplomatic approach to get victory in the course “.
” Oh compatriots, this is not the time to clear way for another civil war in Nigeria, not the time to vandalise public properties, not the time to kill innocent parents who are member of the Nigerian Police Force, not the time to burn down stations and of course, not a time to destroy the country with our own hands. We can’t afford to be a refugee in neighboring countries and that, is the more reason we need to embrace, foster and propagate peace while we express our civic rights “.
” In the light of the cause, the leadership of the association autonomously urge the Nigerian security operatives to also exercise restraint in handling of the protests and act professionally. The protesters are unarmed youth who are only seeking for a better Nigeria not hoodlums. Rather, repentance of the government should be our reward not an artillery nor its bullet “.
” Conclusively, we extensively appeal to the Federal government of Nigeria to urgently pursue a dialogue for an early and amicable resolution of this social unrest and maintain the Nigeria image as a bastion of law and order. Thanks for the audience”, NANS ZONE D Coordinator, Kappo Olawale reiterated .
