…as Ministers, critical stakeholders discuss ENDSARS protest in Ekiti.
Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Sunday said the recent ENDSARS protest in the country has underscored the need for sustainable peace, understanding, and harmony as necessary conditions for sustainable economic growth and development that would tackle poverty, hunger, and inequality.
Dr. Fayemi stated this at a stakeholders’ interactive session on ENDSARS, in Ado Ekiti, featuring Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; professional, trade and youth organisations and traditional rulers. The parley was jointly organised by the Federal Government and the Government of Ekiti State to examine lessons learnt during the ENDSARS protest.
The Governor noted that the same strength of unity used to agitate for the end of police brutality must be channelled towards sustaining peaceful coexistence in the country.
He said, “In view of the aftermath of the ENDSARS protest there is the need for sustainable peace in Ekiti State. Peace is a key component of sustainable development, a healthy environment is important for development.
While the need to end police brutality is genuine, peaceful coexistence is also sacrosanct, we must work together to achieve both.
“On the desire for sustainable development in Ekiti State, we need a functioning government, sound business environment, equitable distribution of resources, acceptance of the rights of others, a good relationship with our neighbours, free flow of information, human capital development, transparency and accountability in government.
“The promotion of peaceful and relative development reduces poverty and prevent conflicts, translating to a healthy society that allows more effective delivery of dividends of democracy.”
Disclosing that some intervention programmes had been rolled out by the Federal Government to alleviate poverty and hardship, the Governor said the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is synergizing with the Federal Government to meticulously work out modalities that would solve the challenges that led to the ENDSARS protest.
Dr. Fayemi reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring a conducive environment for the youth to thrive through sustainable policies and programmes.
The Stakeholders meeting brought together traditional rulers, legislators, members of the State Executive Council, various ethnic groups, civil society organizations, politicians, youths, trade unions, and women groups.
At the meeting, stakeholders identified the need for the Federal Government to effectively engage the youth in productive ventures and involve them in the formulation and implementation of government policies to engender sustainable peace, growth, and economic development.
Some of the stakeholders that spoke at the parley drew government attention to youth unemployment, insecurity, collapse in the education sector, and bad governance as some of the factors responsible for ENDSARS protest.
They also canvassed the inclusion of the youth at all levels of governance as well as empowerment that would make them occupy their rightful position in the society as against being used as political thugs.
They also blamed the institutionalisation of corruption at all levels of governance, claiming that such acts had retarded the growth and development of the country.
They unanimously called on the Federal Government to initiate more policies and programmes targeted at building and developing the youth to make them more responsive and resourceful to national development. They however lauded Governor Fayemi for some of the steps he had taken based on the recommendation of Ekiti Youths during his first interactive session with them in 2019.
Responding, Otunba Adebayo said the meeting was in furtherance of the directives of President Mohammadu Buhari that all members of the Federal Executive Council should meet with stakeholders in their respective states to deliberate on the aftermath of ENDSARS protest.
The Minister who urged youths in the State to key into the various programmes being initiated by the Federal Government promised to articulate the recommendations of the interactive session and convey the same to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for necessary actions.
Other stakeholders at the meeting were the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Mobayo; Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, Attorney-General, and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Fapohunda; Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Biodun Omoleye. The Chairman of the State Council of Obas/Alawe of Ilawe, Oba Adebanji Alabi, led scores of traditional rulers to the event.
Last modified: November 16, 2020
