Penpushing media writes President Buhari, United Nations on police brutality protests

Penpushing media has written President Muhammed Buhari over the recent youths protests against police brutality and forwarded its communiqué on the protests which was hijacked by hoodlums resulting in wanton of destructions, maiming and killings.

Penpushing reports that, copy of the communiqué was also forwarded through courier services of Red Star with waybill/tracking numbers 18417073 and 18417074 to the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and Presidency respectively.

The communiqué approved by the Editorial board, was the outcome of stakeholders discussions on the controversial development, which also centred on the alleged military killings of unarmed protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos among others.

*It is believed that the demographic statistics which suggest that about 60 percent of the population are youths favour them in taking over the present and future of the country for the purpose of creating a better organised, disciplined, united, law abiding, transparent, progressive and productive society. Indeed, the platform believes that power belongs to the youth.

*That the government should immediately take pro-active measures in securing strategic government and private properties across the country to prevent the escalation of violence which resulted from the killings at Lekki Toll Gate.

*That the government should be sincere and strategic in addressing the demands of the #EndSARS Protesters, particularly to use the opportunity presented by the protest in carrying out a comprehensive reform of the police and the entire national security apparatus. The reform should include training, welfare, equipment, recruitment of more hands, formulation of rules of engagement with the civil populace and general discipline.

*That government should always encourage dialogue as a standing means of resolving issues and grievances by citizens. Instead of seeing dialogue as a sign of weakness, the government should adopt it as a strategy for de-escalating tension which is a regular feature in a multi-ethnic and religious country where majority of the citizens are already grounded by poverty, lack of social welfare programme, deficient infrastructure and obvious distrust of government.

*That government should recognise that protest is an integral part of democracy and should devise an enduring plan for providing protection for protesters, instead of  antagonising them.

*That government should immediately move to revamp the economy, introduce genuine social welfare package like heath insurance policy and sincere provision for the vulnerable members of the society, rebuild infrastructure and make genuine moves to drastically reduce corruption.

*More importantly, government should quickly develop policies and programmes aimed at harnessing the abundant talents, skills and energy of  the youths. The #EndSARS Protesters have created a momentum which can be seized to get Nigeria moving fast towards realising her  goals and objectives  for national development. That government should bring to justice officers and men of the Nigerian Army involved in the  Lekki massacre.

Penpushing further reports that, the letter for President Buhari, accompanied with the communiqué was sent through the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, which also pointed out that, ‘lessons must be learnt from the youths, on how we can make lemonade out of the lemon they provided us as a nation’.