By Oluwakemi Ishola
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has appealed to #ENDSARS protesters to leave the streets in order to allow the federal government to fully attend to their demands.
The Ooni of Ife who, on Monday, hosted former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, condemned the attack on the convoy of Osun State governor, Adegboyega Oyetola by suspected political thugs at the venue of an #EndSARS protest in Osogbo on Saturday.
According to a statement by the media aide to the monarch, Moses Olafare, Oba Ogunwusi described the #EndSARS struggle as Nigerian youths clear message to the government, particularly about their ability to get things done in a coordinated manner.
He urged the youths to allow the government to fully attend to their yearnings.
“As a youth leader myself, I am proud that we all have communicated our ideas and it is heartwarming that we have been heard.
“Dear youths, it is time to retreat particularly to prevent those with ulterior motives from hijacking the peaceful message of peace. The whole world is aware of our peaceful conduct and we must not let some bad elements tarnish this enviable integrity.
“Once again, I wish to urge our youths to stop the protest for now and give peace a chance. This would disallow the government from using force,” Ooni said.
He commended Oyetola for his maturity in handling the sensitive issue despite all the provocation.
Speaking, former President Obasanjo stated that the #EndSARS protest is a product of an extensive agitation of the Nigerian youths that the government needs to attend to.
Obasanjo said: “Over 65 per cent of our population is under the age of 35. Those who look up to the best in life but who struggle for education, some of them didn’t even get education while those who are educated get frustrated because of lack of opportunities. We must realise that the lid on the boiling steam would have to be removed.
“But I believe that there are windows of opportunity which the government can explore to show that it cares about the people, especially the welfare of the youths as the father of the country particularly as the father of the youths.
“Fortunately by experience, the president has children and he knows how youths behave. I believe that the opportunities can still be taken to let the youths know that he as a father understands their plight and his government understands their plight and he is ready to make life better for them.”
