Obasanjo, Ooni speak on #EndSARS protests

The Ooni urges the protesters to give the government a chance to address their concerns. The Ooni urges the protesters to give the government a chance to address their 

concerns.The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, on Monday, hosted former the president, Olusegun Obasanjo, with an appeal to the #EndSARS protesters across the country to retreat.

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The monarch, while receiving Mr Obasanjo at his Ile Oodua Palace, Ile-Ife, described the #EndSARS protests as a clear message by the Nigerian youth to the government.

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He urged the youth to give the government the chance to fully attend to their demands.

“If you look at the #EndSARS protest, you will see that our youths have what it takes to rule the country.

“Since day one, they have shown leadership, accountability and huge sense of responsibility which have sent a clear message to the government.

“Every day at 11:50 pm, they displayed their financial update, and to me, I’m highly amazed with their sense of accountability.

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Speaking earlier, Mr Obasanjo described the #EndSARS protest as the product of an extensive agitation by the Nigerian youth that needed to be attended to by government.

“More than 65 per cent of our population are under within the ages of 18 and 30; they are not only struggling to acquire education, they are also aspiring for the best that life can offer them.

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“Some of them didn’t even get educated, while those who are educated are getting frustrated because of lack of opportunities. We must realize 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’s welfare, especially the youth, as the father of the country and particularly, as the father of the youth.

“Fortunately, the president has children and he knows how youths behave.

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“I believe that the opportunities can still be taken to let the youth know that he, as a father, understands their plight and that his government understands their plight and he is ready to make life better for them,” Mr Obasanjo said.