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#END SARS: Youths Stage Peaceful Protest In Okpanam, Commend Okowa For Setting Up Panel Of Enquiry
…Call For Good Governance
By Magnus Emuji
Over 100 youths of Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, on Wednesday, took to the street in a peaceful protest against what they described as ‘ unjust police brutality in some parts of the country and bad governance among political leaders.
The peaceful demonstration which commenced at the popular ‘Akara’ bus stop, Ogbeosadi Quarters to Okpanam roundabout through Redeem Road and terminated at the Midwifery market before proceeding through Obodogba Quarters down to Okpanam Gate by the Express by the protesters was accompanied by men of the Nigeria Police, Okpanam Division.
Addressing the protesters before taking off, a human rights activist in the community and one of the frontline campaigners for good governance, Comrade Lucky Okolo, who said that the essence of the protest was to register their displeasure with the manner innocent youths that ought to be the future leaders were being killed by police, especially the just disbanded SARS as well as issues of bad governance in the country.
Comrade Okolo, decried the rate of unemployment in the country, saying that many graduates were ruming in the street without any source of livelihood and called on governments at all levels to evolve a blue print aimed at tackling poverty and unemployment.
While urging his co-protesters to shun negative acts such as molestation of the people and looting during and after the demonstration, Comrade Lucky Okolo advocated for more incentives and improved salary scale for police in order to desuade them from unnecessary extortion and other crimes in a bid to make more money.
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He urged political leaders to carry the masses along in the scheme of things and ensure that there was adequate security for all Nigerians and residents in the country, just as he frowned at the killing of some protesting youths in Lagos and other parts of the country.
Comrade Lucky Okolo, however, commended Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa for setting up panel of enquiry into police brutality in the state and described the move as a welcome development just as he lauded the governor for transforming the community through roads and other infrastructural develoment.
The Okpanam born human rights activist charged youths to shun cultism and other negative vices , adding that federal government should prioritize the lives of the citizens.
Also speaking, another protester who simply identified himself as MC Wine, an entertainer said that the demonstration was in solidarity with the movement for good governance and against ill treatment as well as killings of the youths by the security agencies, emphasing that they would not give room for hoodlums to hijack their good intentions.
Recall that the protesters carried placards with different inscriptions such as End SARS and Police brutality, youths have greater dreams, stop killing of youths, bad governance must stop and we are youths of changes among others.