Council chairmen welcome Lagos CP to Ikorodu Division, kick against protests

…War against street trading begins

By Bose Adelaja 

CITIZENS COMPASS—The council chairmen in the Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, welcome the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade

, to a Town Hall meeting to stamp out all forms of violent protests in the Division.

The chairmen comprise Wasiu Adesina (Ikorodu Central), Adeola Banjo (Ikorodu North), Sesan Daini (Igbogbo-Baiyeku), Wasiu Kunle Agoro (Imota), Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju (Ikorodu West), and Motunrayo Gbadebo (Ijede)

The social media was awash recently, that some groups and individuals, especially youths, would be embarking on protests against what they describe as bad governance in the country.

The organisers of the protests have been bombarding the media space with different types of fliers and unsolicited messages to achieve their aim.

However, the Town Hall meeting put together by the council chairmen from Ikorodu Division was a different ball game on Wednesday as the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi,  His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulsemiu Orimadegun Kasali, the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Bakare who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers in the Division, Nigerian youths, traders, transporters, artisans, religious and ethnic groups as well as other stakeholders present said Ikorodu Division will not support any protest geared towards wanton destruction of lives and property in the entire Ikorodu Division.

Adegoke who was attending the first Town Hall meeting in the Division since he assumed office as Lagos CP recalled the sad memories of #EndSARS protests which started on October 8, 2020, continued in major cities across Nigeria, and attracted international mainstream media attention.

Till date, victims of the protests are still counting their losses.
CP Adegoke said the Police and other security networks in the State would ensure that the sad memories of #EndSARS protests do not occur.

He emphasised that protests are among the fundamental human rights of citizens and protesters would be protected but violence of any nature would not be condoned.

According to him, “We are not against protests but such must be peaceful. Protesters will be protected from any form of attacks but if we can completely avoid protests, let’s do this.”

He advised parents to call their children to order saying there are better ways to develop the country rather than protests. He said, “Protests will debar progress. There are better things to do to improve the economy. The challenges we are currently experiencing are not peculiar to Nigeria alone but global.

“EndSARS affected our economy a lot but we have a president who is managing this and things will improve very soon. There are many ways to address our challenges but not by going to the streets to destroy lives and properties. Policemen, soldiers, and Naval officers will come out enmasse to ensure security is intact, protect everyone, and ensure safety.

“The kind of EndSARS protests will not be given a chance. Our youths should be patient with the government.”
Ikorodu gridlock

The CP expressed dissatisfaction with persistent gridlock in Ikorodu Garage lamenting that despite his prompt arrival to Ikorodu, navigation of the access road to Ikorodu Town Hall was faced with bottlenecks due to roadside trading which he promised to fight to a standstill.“

Cultism

In the area of cultism, he noted that cultism is well rooted in the Division calling on parents and guardians to be more proactive. “Parents and community leaders should dissuade our youths from cultism. It should be completely eradicated, our youths should be creative by thinking outside the box and indulging in activities that would give them honour rather than senseless ideas.

“We don’t need protests in Nigeria, we should give the government time to reshape the country. Let us not allow some mercenaries to take over Nigeria because the Police will not allow this.” Said Adegoke.

“Responding, the Council Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Olusesan Mayokun Daini who was the moderator for the occasion said the CP had raised valuable points during his address.
In a laughing mood, he said the Division was ready to sponsor the relocation of anybody ready to foment trouble in the Division.

“He said the Division has the largest Community Development Associations (CDA) who were over 1,000 in number assuring Adegoke that the points raised would be well disseminated to all.
Former Deputy Governor in Lagos, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye berated violent protests, “I was afraid of all we have been hearing about the protests because EndSARS did not yield positive results.

“The Court of Appeal and many other places were burnt down during the EndSARS. May Lagos never witness such a thing any longer.

“He spoke in vernacular thus, “Oun ti o wa able yii ko bere l’ori Tinubu, o ti wa lati 1960 to Nigeria to gba ominira. (The challenges did not start with Tinubu but since the era of independence in 1960 when some things were left unattended to which have degenerated). Decades ago, countries like Indonesia were behind us in terms of development but have overtaken us. The president cannot do it alone, let us pray for him so that things will gradually fall into shape.”

“Engineer Ibrahim Adigun, the Chairman, of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter urged the Police to guide against the brutality of Nigerian youths in all ramifications.
He promised that the youths were not ready to participate in violent protests across the country. “A meeting of Nigerian youths will be convened on Saturday and how not to participate in the protests will be discussed.” He said.

“Iyaloja of Sabo Market, Mutiat Ojulari, said Ikorodu traders will not participate in the protests. “We will disseminate the information and support what the nation wants.”

“Representatives of transport unions in Ikorodu, Comrades Rasheed Daisi Olooto from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Adeyemo Sikiru, State officer, of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said their members would be patient with the government.
Sikiru pledged that anyone planning protests in Ikorodu Division would be overpowered.

“The Adeboruwa urged the Police to look into the grievances of Nigerian youths to enjoy their cooperation.

“The Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro also discouraged violent protests in the Division.

“The Ayangburen praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the student loan which he advised Nigerian youths to tap into. “One of the needs met by the President is the student loan, try and create an access for our youths to access the portal and benefit from the loan.”

On the issue of street trading, he said the Government was planning to construct the Ikorodu Sky Market station for the traders. “The design has been presented to me. The government will soon construct a befitting market, upon completion, any trader that refuses to relocate to the market will be handed over to the Police.”

Representatives of Hausa and Igbo communities also corroborated other stakeholders at the meeting.
Chairman, of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Area N, Adekunle Lamikanran, also rejected any move on violent protests. “PCRC is a baby of the Nigeria Police, we will not support any protest. We are not part of any act of lawlessness.”

In a chat with Citizens Compass, some participants promised not to be part of the protests.