EHIME ALEX, Lagos
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has again appealed to the Nigerian youth to call-off the #EndSARS protest and engage the government in dialogue to find a win-win solution to their demands.
Abiodun, while hosting representatives of students of higher institutions in his office at Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, said it was time to halt the protest before it degenerated into a wholesome situation that could cause chaos in the country.
“Please wind down the protest, you have spoken and the whole world has heard you. Where your freedom stops, is where that of others starts. Don’t allow this protest to degenerate into a situation where people will begin to attack each other.
“It is time to dialogue so that we can find solutions to the problems you have highlighted. The National Economic Council has mandated us to handle the situation here in Ogun State, we have inaugurated a panel to handle cases of brutality by security agencies with a view to giving appropriate punishment to those found wanting”, he said.
Identifying with the protesters, the Governor noted that Nigerians, like citizens of other free countries of the world, have the right to protest, observing that the Nigerian youth have finally demonstrated that they are resilient and could rise up to be counted when the occasion demands.
He acknowledged the peaceful conduct of the students in the State since he assumed office, saying it was a demonstration of the qualities associated with people of the State and what they stand for.
“I want to appreciate you for being disciplined. You have behaved well since I assumed office. Ogun State students have not been reported to have behaved irresponsibly. Keep it up. It is the way you conduct yourself today that determines how far you go tomorrow”, the Governor said.
The Governor said his administration has fashioned out ways of addressing the numerous challenges facing higher institutions particularly in the area of electricity, transportation, provision of laboratories and workshops.
He informed the students’ leaders that access roads in their campuses were currently under rehabilitation, while the government was working out a Public Private Partnership arrangement to build hostels, address transportation issues, saying the government would reactivate their faulty transformers to improve power supply in their Institutions.
Government, he maintained, would look into bursary and scholarship and assured that students who excel would be rewarded to serve as an inspiration to others.
On his part, the President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Tomiwa Bamgbose, reeled out the challenges confronting the students and lauded Governor Abiodun for intervening in the Tai Solarin College of Education crisis and giving automatic employment to best graduating students in the State.
The President, National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOS), Comrade Gbemileke Okuronbi, appreciated the Governor for his strides in the education sector, pleading for the payment of bursary to ameliorate the suffering of the students.
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