By Oki Samson
CITIZENS COMPASS—Foremost security consultant and Board member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayo Ogunsan has reacted to the ongoing pr”tests holding across several cities in Nigeria citing the germane importance of protests as a way for citizens to vent their grievances on government policies and programs.
Reiterating that the citizens have done well in organizing themselves to make their voices heard, the Chairman/CEO of Executive Group however pleaded that they allow sense of decency and patriotism prevail so that disruptions to public order as experienced in some parts of the country can be nipped in the bud while thanking the Nigeria Police and other security agencies for being relatively decorous during the protests. He paid tribute to Lagosians for heeding the call of the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in his statewide broadcast earlier in the week that ‘protests can never achieve in 10 days what carefully crafted economic reforms can achieve in a matter of weeks and months. All that is required now is to be patient for the benefits of the economic recovery policies to blossom.’
Speaking to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan noted that ‘the #EndHunger movement has gained momentum nationwide, with thousands of Nigerians voicing their discontent over issues such as corruption, economic hardship, and poor infrastructure. The protests, which have been largely peaceful, reflect a growing frustration among citizens over what they perceive as years of neglect and mismanagement by successive governments.’
He called on all Nigerians, ‘Engaging in meaningful conversations with the government is essential. It is through dialogue that we can find solutions and create a path towards the Nigeria we all desire, especially as we can see that this government has shown capacity and commitment to fix this country for the better.’
‘I trust the President Tinubu-led government to listen to the grievances of the people and take concrete steps to address their concerns. The government must not dismiss the protests. Instead, it should see them as an opportunity to engage with the populace and make necessary reforms.’
The security expert cum entrepreneur, Ogunsan then proposed the formation of a joint committee comprising representatives of the protest groups, civil society organisations, and government officials to be able to reach a peaceful resolution. He noted that the role of the committee would be for it to serve as a platform for dialogue and negotiation, ensuring that the voices of the protesters are heard and their demands addressed in a structured manner.
