Kunle Adelabu
The Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and the Chairman, Ikorodu Division Council of Obas and Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa (Oba) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Adegorushen V and the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, has appealed to youths to allow peace to reign following the disturbances being experienced across the state.
Different parts of the state have been in crisis triggered by the alleged unprovoked attacks on peaceful #End SARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate Plaza by the officers of the Nigerian army.
The state government had since declared curfew to stem the spate of violence going on across the state as hoodlums took advantage of the unfortunate incident to burn public and private properties.
Many places have also been looted and set on fire including the palace of the Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Babatunde Aremu Osuolale Akiolu, Akiolu 1.
In a statement, issued by the Ayangbure palace of Ikorodu, Oba Shotobi pleaded with the youths to join hands with the state government to restore peace in the state.
He stated that the palace and other stakeholders supported the peaceful protest against SARS embarked upon by the youths, adding that the shooting on the evening of Tuesday, October 20, 2020, allegedly by men of the Nigerian army caused the mayhem that has was unleashed on the commercial centre of Nigeria.
“My dear Youths of Lagos State, I join my voice with that of our Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat, in appealing to you all to listen to the passionate appeal of we, your parents, and allow peace to reign in our dear State”, Oba Shotobi pleaded.
“Most of us were solidly behind you, praying fervently for you when the #End SARS protests started and were very peaceful.
“We realised the fact that if not for the unfortunate incident of the sporadic shooting by some overzealous military men at the Lekki Toll Gate on that Tuesday evening of 20th October, there would not have been any reported cases of arson, destruction of properties and killing of people, particularly policemen, which means the protest would have been peaceful all through.
“Even at that, we are not unaware of the fact that, the said negative developments of the protests, were perpetrated by hoodlums and miscreants parading themselves as genuine protesters”.
The Ikorodu monarch also appealed that youths should suspend any further protest so as not to allow hoodlums to further perpetuate their dastardly acts.
“It is in this connection that I want to APPEAL PASSIONATELY to you all, our Youths, to please disengage immediately from any further protest, as those miscreants and hoodlums will continue to perpetrate evil deeds in the name of #EndSARS protests”.
He said that he was disturbed by the rate of destruction caused by the hoodlums with many public and private properties destroyed.
Oba Shotobi also condemned the invasion of the palace of Oba of Lagos, an act he described as sacrilegious.
“My heart bled profusely when I saw on video recordings, the massive destruction and burning of infrastructures that were not even sufficient to meet up with the rate of our development in the State as well as the looting and burning of Government and private properties, including individual citizens’ businesses being looted and brought down, not to talk of the sacrilegious entry and outright stealing of personal property in the palace of our revered father and monarch, Kabiyesi Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos”.
While assuring the youths that the Governor is going to implement policies that will bring about good governance, Oba Shotobi also assured them that the state government will also ensure justice for the victims of the protest.
“Our Governor is on the same page with the youths on the genuine protests to ensure peace and stability in our dear State and will surely implement all those policies he announced to ensure justice for victims of one form of injustice or the other during and after the protests”.
The royal father also charged parents on the need to ensure that their children are positively engaged and also pledged that he will continue to empower youths in Ikorodu and engage them productively.
“I also wish to appeal to parents to counsel their children and wards, and ensure that they are fully engaged in positive undertakings as well as transparent productive ventures that will move our State forward.
“The transformation agenda of the #EndSARS protesters has been made clear and loud. The Federal and State Governments have accepted the agenda .
“On my part, I pledge to engage more of our youths and youth associations in Ikorodu Division for meaningful and result oriented activities going forward. And I will be ready to transmit your demands to appropriate agencies and government at all time”, Kabiyesi pledged.
While expressing concerns over the attitudes of some youths in the Division whom he appealed to to turn a good leaf, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu also reminded the youths that Ikorodu is known for great achievements, a tradition that he charged them to continue.
“Our ancestors will not be happy in their graves if we continue to drag the name of our Division in the mud”, he said.
“Therefore, I appeal to you all to, henceforth, desist from activities that will drag our Community and Division in the bad book of the people and Government.
“I pray that Almighty Allah will intervene in the present situation and restore everlasting peace in our dear State and Nation”.
