Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has invited singer Falz, skit maker and actor Mr Marcaroni among others to join him in what he termed ‘A Walk for Peace’ in December.
Mr Sanwo-Olu said on Tuesday during a live broadcast held at the State House, Alausa that the state deserves true healing after the #EndSARS protest against police brutality last year.
The governor spoke on the state government’s position on the recommendations of the judicial panel of inquiry on #EndSARS submitted a fortnight ago.
Sanwo-Olu asked residents to reject those fueling anarchy and suspicion, clinging to unsubstantiated belief that carried no weight of verifiable evidence, while choosing emotion over facts.
He said he would be leading the peace walk to herald the healing of the land, extending an open invitation to the youths, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society groups, students and the media.
He said: “Nobody will build this city for us. Let us show the world who we are. We are Lagosians. A people of great renown, driven by the irrepressible spirit of Lagos. It is a testimony to our strength and resilience as a people that, despite the huge losses incurred because of these terrible incidents, we have bounced back, with our economy as vibrant and virile as ever. I have no doubt whatsoever that our prospects are as bright as ever and the best lies ahead of Lagos State and Nigeria.
“We will make it easier for our young people to initiate formal complaints on human rights violations through the Ministry of Justice. We will also improve the coordination between the state government and the security agencies, including the police and the military. In this vein, we are studying how to improve security policy formulation, information sharing, and clarifying rules of engagement in times of social unrest.
“Just as we have established a mechanism to compensate all those who lost homes, businesses, and livelihoods to the violent destruction of October 2020, we shall also establish a detailed procedure for the just compensation of citizens with verified claims of police brutality committed during the protests.”
Others whom he specifically invited to the peace walk are lawyer Dele Farotimi, #EndSARS promoter Temitope Majekodunmi, activist Segun Awosanya aka Segalinks, social media influencer Adedotun (Just Detoun), singer Seun Kuti, commissioner of police Hakeem Odumosu, and commander of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Yinka Egbeyemi.
On the debates that have ensued since the panel’s report was leaked, Sanwo-Olu said, “We have no intention to engage in histrionics or further inflame passion on a matter that has generated intense interest and controversy nationally and internationally. Our decisions and actions will be based entirely on the law, the weight of evidence, and unblemished respect for the truth.”
The much-expected white paper, he pledged, will be issued later in the day.
