By Esenvosa Izah- As socio-economic activities are gradually returning to Lagos, some Lekki residents in the state are urging public enlightenment on peaceful protests and strategic actions to achieve desired goals.
- The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that Lekki Phase 1 in Lagos and other parts of the state have remained peaceful as the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest continues.
- The Lekki Phase1 area of Lagos did not record any protest on Thursday and had not recorded any as at the time of this report on Friday.
- NAN reports that the ongoing protest which began on Thursday is scheduled to last for 10 days to draw Federal Government’s attention to the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
- Some residents, who spoke to NAN, commended security personnel for ensuring peace in the area.
- One of them, Mr George Ikenna, told NAN that the residents’ association provided extra security measures in the area.
- “We were assured of security by the leadership of the residents’ association.
- “Security operatives displayed maturity.
- “We applaud the police, and hope they will keep up the good work; we need peace in the nation,” he said.
- Another resident, Mrs Petra Nnaji, said that the protest should be peaceful everywhere, adding that there was no reason for chaos.
- “Protesters should be enlightened on how protests are done to achieve the aims and objectives.
- “Let us hope our leaders will address issues being raised so that we can maintain peace in the country,“ she said.
Anya, who is the Programme Manager of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, said that such skills should have prevented Thursday’s protest from degenerating into violence in some parts of Nigeria.
He said that, if not well managed, a protest could start peacefully but would turn violent along the line.
He blamed such violence on activities of hoodlums and poor handling by security agents.
The manager appealed to the Federal Government to do more to reduce hardship in Nigeria.
“I will also wish to appeal to citizens engaged in the protest to desist from destructtion and looting,“ Anya said.
A business owner, Mr Francis Ojo, said that many Nigerians lacked understanding of a peaceful protest.
He said that there was need to enlighten them about it.
According to him, protests over the years, had not achieved much.
“It shows the need for people to be more strategic.
“We need to find other means of engaging our leaders to achieve a lot more,“ he said.
He urged Nigerians to come together with one voice to speak against violent protests and educate themselves on the best ways to deal with situations affecting them. (NAN)
