What started as a grassroots movement to end police brutality in Africa’s most populous country has today become a global phenomenon, embraced by the world biggest celebrities. The overseas mega stars such as Beyonce, Cardi B, Drake and others have joined the likes of Davido, Yul Edochie, Ighalo and Whizkid in throwing their fame behind the cause in dominating social media feeds on practically every continent.

The protests have equally made way into the U.S presidential race in a -bid to stand with Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating for police reform and end to corruption in their democracy. There is no doubt that the strength and potentials of the Nigerian Youths towards nation building, peaceful co-existence and good governance is indeed undisputable.

For the past two weeks, youths across the country, mobilized through various social media platforms and took to the streets to protest against the activities of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which have long been accused of unlawful arrests, torture and extrajudicial killings.

The bottled up protesters now appear to have widened to include calls for reforms across the country’s entire police system. The youths came up with a 5-point demand which include; immediate release of all arrested protesters; Justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensations for their families.

Others are setting up of an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reported police misconduct within a period of 10 days; carrying out psychological evaluation and retaining of all disbanded SARS operatives before they can be deployed and an increase police salary and adequate compensation.

In Anambra, Governor Willie Obiano has inaugurated the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the Activities of the disbanded SARS and extra judicial killings by the Police in the State, headed by retired Justice Biabian Umeh. Other members of the panel are representatives from the Civil Society Organizations; National Youth Council of Nigeria; Ohaneze Ndi Igbo; Asatu Youths; #EndSARS Protest Group and NYSC. Others are Commissioners for Youths, Lands and Economic Planning; Youth Leaders from the 3 Senatorial Zones in the state; Civil Societies Network; Different Religious Groups, amongst others.

Regardless of the unfortunate incidents recorded so far, as well as rising tension in the land, occasioned by the hijack of the protests by hoodlums, Governor Obiano described the anger of the protesters as justifiable and avoidable. Thankfully, peace has returned and normal economic activities have resumed in Anambra following the earlier call by Akpokuedike on Anambra Youth to unite and guard their communities.

Anambra State government equally strengthened security agencies to continue to maintain peace and order in Anambra as the safest state in the country.

Stakeholders, including the clergy, traditional rulers, youth leaders and youths, security agencies, political appointees, community leaders, market leaders, parents, the conventional media and others for their continued partnership with government in ensuring that life returns to normal in the state after the #EndSars protests.

It is said that what is worth doing is worth doing well. There is no doubt that the Obiano administration has been immensely impacting in all ramifications. That is why all those involved in causing havoc in the state are advised to desist from such in future.

Let us uphold Nigeria in love and unity with the hope that this turbulent time will never occur again. However, there is need for total reformation of Nigeria. Let everything that led to the protests and others like it be tackled once and for all to avoid a repeat. Leaders should carry out post-mortem of all the grievances of Nigerians.

God bless Anambra State, the light of the nation, God bless Nigeria; together we shall conquer.

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