The Managing Director, Dangote Tomato Processing plant in Kadawa, Kano State, Abdulkarim Kaita, has called on the Federal government to put a total ban on the importation of tomato paste into the country.
He made the call while flagging off the distribution of tomato seedlings to 5,000 farmers under the Anchor Borrowers programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday at Kadawa village in Kura Local Government Area.
“We are appealing to the Federal Government to put a total ban on the importation of tomato like what it did to rice,” Kaita said.
He said the call was necessary to boost local production of the commodity and ensure that Nigeria was self sufficient in tomato production.
According to him, the ban on the importation of tomato paste would lead to the establishment of more tomato processing plants, thereby creating job opportunities for many people in the country.
He lamented that the importation of tomato paste was still thriving as the commodity was being imported from Cameroon and Cotonour in Benin Republic.
According to him, the company had on several occasions visited the Customs Headquarters and met the Controller General with a view to lodging complaint over the issue, but nothing was done to check the ugly trend.
“It is only by putting a total ban on tomato importation that the government can encourage farmers to grow the commodity for the country to be self sufficient,” he said.
He said the company was working with the CBN under the Anchor Borrowers programme to provide tomato farmers with high yield seeds which would enable them to produce a minimum of 40 tons per hectare.
The company, he mentioned, was putting a lot of effort to ensure that Nigeria was self sufficient in tomato production by establishing the biggest greenhouse in Africa, which had the capacity to produce 350 million seedlings annually.
He said, “There are 12 major tomato producing states in the country which if fully cultivated, in the next one year Nigeria will be able to start exporting tomato.”
What a week it has been for our own dear native land! Just at the beginning of the month, as the country turned 60 as an independent entity, President Muhammadu Buhari had charged us to “begin sincere process of national healing, eliminate old and outworn perceptions that are always put to test in the lie they are.”
What began about a fortnight ago as “genuine concerns and agitations” by Nigerian youths against the excesses of the Special Anti-robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police (SARS), has suddenly transmogrified into expressions of hate against the land, leading to murder, mayhem and arson.
My sympathy and condolence to family and loved ones of the dead, irrespective of how they came to their unfortunate ends.
How can what began as peaceful protests suddenly turn to incipient anarchy as seen in killings, torching of public buildings and properties, storming of the Bastille and wanton release of hardened criminals, and many others. Hatred.
Nigeria is one country passionately hated by some of those who live in it, and it had always been so. Some people call it ‘the mistake of 1914,’ in which what used to be the Northern and Southern Protectorates were forcefully cobbled together by the colonial masters, leading to the emergence of Nigeria.
Since then, it has been one uneasy relationship among the people that make up the Union. Suspicion of domination, ethnic rivalry, fear of being given the shorter end of the stick, gaining unfair advantage, and the like, have characterized the relationship. And the overriding sentiment is hatred, fueled and justified by many factors and tendencies. If Nigeria dies, whether now or in the future, hatred killed her.
How can a people go about, bearing giant-sized grudges against their country, its leadership, against one another, and expect that country to live in peace and prosperity? It won’t happen. “When we don’t know who to hate, we hate ourselves,” observed a writer. READ ALSO: Lekki Toll Gate: Accept responsibility, PDP tells Presidency The EndSARS campaign began as an agitation against police brutality, in which there was unanimity of purpose. And suddenly, it became a vehicle of hate.
Against leadership, against national cohesion, an opportunity to settle political scores, and equally prepare for power grab in 2023. Hatred came into the mix. The agitation by youths against injustice and oppression suddenly took on a variegated nature. Separatists came under the umbrella, and began to advance their cause, working for the dismemberment of the country. T
hose beaten black and blue in 2015 and 2019 elections also crept in, and asked for pound of flesh, while also plotting for a return to power in 2023.
The venom, which peaceful protests eventually became, can only be summed up by one word. Hatred.
How can you begin to club people to death, in different parts of the country? How can you set fire to national assets and institutions, storm prisons and release prisoners into society, all in the name of peaceful protests? No, peace had fled through the window, and hatred was fully in control.
There are many factors and agencies of hatred in Nigeria, and until we learn to purge ourselves, the country may never move beyond where it has been pirouetting and gyrating for six decades. Like the macabre dance, it has been one step forward and two steps backwards.
Hatred is evinced from many quarters for Nigeria, and for its government and people at any given time. It comes from churches, mosques, professional activists and agitators, interest groups, some elements in the media, so-called analysts who never see anything good, and so on and so forth.
When things boil over in graphic demonstration of hatred, it is a culmination of negative sentiments and tendencies. They come in persistent negative postings on social media, which generate and stimulate hate. From hateful messages from the pulpit, as if that was the message of love Jesus Christ handed over to his followers. From unduly critical messages during jumat services.
From radio and television programs, in which bile is spewed. From talkshows which become a harangue of government, newspaper articles and columns tailored to instigate and generate dissent, and the like. Eventually, all cumulate in hatred, which finds expression in genuine causes like the EndSARS campaign. When things boil over, they leave sorrow, tears and blood in their wake, as we have seen.
And who suffers? The whole country. Who bleeds? Nigeria. And one day, if Nigeria ever dies, despite years of attempting to build and nurture it, hatred would have killed it.
A knife in the guts. A bullet to the head. An arrow to the heart of Nigeria, is hatred. Animus against anything that does not directly lead to personal aggrandizement, that does not promote selfish narrow interests.
Many times, President Buhari had said it was the right of protesters to indicate their displeasure, as long as it was done within the limits of decency and the law. Disbandment of SARS, he said was only the first step in what would be comprehensive police reforms.
Talking of reform of the police, I know the mind of the President on that issue. Sometime in the early days of the first term of the administration, I had dropped into the house one night, as I do once in a while.
And it was a few days to the exit of the then Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who was going into retirement. The President told me how much he had been impressed with Arase, and how he regretted that the man spent just about a year with him. He then told me of the police of his dreams, and how he wished he got someone who would translate the dream into reality.
So, when the President said in a speech to the protesters last week that comprehensive police reform was coming, I knew what he had in mind.
If only we would be patient and let him implement the five points demand of the protesters, which he had accepted. But alas, the protest took another hue and nature, different from the original concept and focus. Hatred crept in, nurtured by all sorts of tendencies. “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear,” said Martin Luther King, Jr. But not for some Nigerians who have decided to hate their own country.
They perpetually stoke the embers of malice, discord and discontent. They bear a heavy burden, which they carry around everywhere, being grumpy, caustic and perpetually driven by ill will. Hatred is a poor prop for anyone to lean on. But to those malicious souls, the more malice they generate for their country, the better they feel.
They may carry fancy religious titles, or parade as activists, analysts or newspaper columnists, but what they are is really simple.
Hate mongers, and one day, they may ensure that Nigeria dies. Not of old age or other natural causes, but of hatred.
*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity
President Muhammadu Buhari has said directed the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to finalise new salary structure for members of the Nigeria Police Force.
Buhari made this known in a live broadcast on Thursday evening.
Better welfare package for police officers is one of the five-point demands of #EndSARS protesters in the country.
Addressing Nigerians on Thursday, the President said, “With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.”
Continuing, he said, “Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.
“We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.
“We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.”
Buhari also said called on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses and eschew violence.
“I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty,” the President added.
The second and final US Presidential Debate held in Nashville on Thursday, here are the most memorable lines of the contestants, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
DONALD TRUMP
Trump boasts that he is ‘immune’ from COVID-19.
‘I can tell you from personal experience that I was in the hospital. I had it. And I got better. And I will tell you that I had something that they gave me, a therapeutic, I guess they would call it, some people could say it was a cure.
‘But I was in for a short period of time and I got better very fast or I wouldn’t be here tonight.
‘And now they say I’m immune. Whether it’s four months or a lifetime, nobody has been able to say that, but I’m immune.’
Trump emphatically claims he is the ‘least racist person in the room’ despite calling Black Lives Matter a ‘symbol of hate’.
‘I have criminal justice reform done, and prison reform, and opportunities, I took care of Black colleges and universities. I don’t know what to say. They could say anything.
It makes me sad. I am the least racist person. I can’t even see the audience, because it is so dark, but I don’t care who’s in the audience, I’m the least race in person in this room.
Trump tells Biden he only ran for president because he and Obama failed.
‘Joe, I ran because of you. I ran because of Barack Obama. Because you did a poor job. If I thought you did a good job, I would have never run.
Trump accuses Biden of taking money from China and Ukraine.
‘I don’t make money from China, you do. I don’t make money from Ukraine, you do.’
JOE BIDEN
Biden ironically calls Trump ‘Abraham Lincoln’ after the president claimed he was the ‘least racist person in the room’.
‘Abraham Lincoln here is one of the most racist presidents we’ve had in modern history. He pours fuel on every single racist fire. This guy has a dog whistle as big as a foghorn’.
Biden calls Trump ‘very confused’ over his plans to ax Obamacare.
‘He’s a very confused guy. He thinks he’s running against someone else. He’s running against Joe Biden. I beat all those other people because I disagreed with them.’
Biden slams Trump’s cozy relationship with ‘thug’ Kim Jong Un.
‘He’s legitimized North Korea. he’s talked about his good buddy – who’s a thug, a thug – and he talks about how we’re better off, and they have much more capable missiles able to reach US territory, much more easily than ever before.’
Biden dismisses Trump’s claim that the coronavirus ‘is going away’.
‘He says we’re learning to live with it. People are learning to die with it.’
‘If you hear nothing else I say tonight, hear this … anyone that’s responsible for that many deaths should not remain president of the United States of America.’
Biden says he will ‘transition from the oil industry’ in favor of renewable energy.
‘I would transition from the oil industry, yes … because the oil industry pollutes significantly. It has to be replaced by renewable energy over time. ‘
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has lamented the loss of lives and properties suffered in different parts of the country as hoodlums hijacked the #EndSARS protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings.
Buhari, in a live broadcast on Thursday evening, warned the miscreants who have taken advantage of the situation to loot and destroy public and private assets to desist from such acts.
The President also expressed sadness that innocent lives have been lost, saying, “these tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary.”
He said, “I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.”
However, in his broadcast tonight, the President was silent on Tuesday attack at the Lekki toll gate where eyewitnesses said soldiers opened fire on #EndSARS protesters around 7pm.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while on a visit to the injured youths on Tuesday night, had said about 30 of the young protesters were receiving treatment in various hospitals around the Lekki area.
Eyewitnesses also said about seven persons died in the attack.
Sanwo-Olu had said he did not order the deployment of uniformed men to the protest ground.
Nigerians expected the President, in his capacity as Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, to answer pertinent questions about events that culminated into the deployment of troops on unarmed youths but Buhari was mum on the matter.
He, however, paid tributes to cops who paid the supreme price in the last few weeks, saying, “Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.”
He also lamented that “human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.
“All these executed in the name of the #EndSARS protests.
“I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary.
“Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.”
The Lekki Tuesday incident has been condemned by both local and international civil rights groups and personalities.
The International Criminal Court has received reports of crimes during the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, made this known in a statement posted on the Twitter handle of the organisation.
She noted that the court is monitoring developments from the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.
Bensouda said, “My office has been closely following the events around the current protests in Nigeria and the reaction of Nigeria’s law enforcement and security agencies,” she said.
“Any loss of life and injury is concerning. We have received information alleging crimes and are keeping a close eye on developments, in case violence escalates and any indications arise that Rome Statute crimes may have been committed.
“I call for calm and restraint.”
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project had, on Wednesday, said it sent a petition to Bensouda, urging her to “promptly investigate reports that Nigerian authorities, military, and some politicians have used/ and are using thugs, soldiers and security agents to intimidate, harass, attack and kill #EndSARS peaceful protesters in several parts of Nigeria, including Abuja, Lagos, Edo, Osun, Plateau, and Kano states.”
SERAP urged Bensouda to “push for those suspected to be responsible for these crimes, mostly security officials, soldiers, some politicians and other actors who directly or indirectly have individually and/or collectively contributed to the attacks, deaths and injuries, and are therefore complicit in the crimes, to be tried by the ICC.”
In the petition dated 21 October 2020 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “The Nigerian authorities over the years have been unwilling and/or unable to prosecute suspected perpetrators of killing of protesters, which in turn has promoted a culture of impunity and emboldened authorities, the military, politicians and their accomplices who continue to commit human rights crimes against protesters.”
“The violent attacks on peaceful protesters in Lekki, Alausa, and other parts of the country suggest the lack of political will by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to respect people’s human rights, including the rights to life, dignity of the human person, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
“The repeated attacks on peaceful protesters suggest the misuse of the military and security agents by the Nigerian authorities and the failure to apply criminal sanctions to suspected perpetrators.”
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will address the security situation in the country by 7pm.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari addresses the nation.’
The statement read, “Following detailed briefing by security chiefs on the current situation in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari will make a national broadcast Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 7pm.
“Television, radio and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria respectively for the broadcast.”
There have been reports of widespread arson and violence in the past few days as rampaging hoodlums looted, razed and destroyed public and private assets around the country, especially in Lagos, Abuja, Benin, amongst others.
Some state governments had since imposed a 24-hour curfew in the wake of the unrest.
Banks, local government secretariats, police stations, shopping malls, television station, newspaper office, court and many others have been burned down in the last 48 hours.
The situation was worsened when eyewitnesses said soldiers, in a bid to disperse protesters at the Lekki toll gate, opened fire on the youths on Tuesday night.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos on Tuesday as disturbing and not reflective of the nation’s growing democracy.
Gbajabiamila, in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, called for thorough investigation.
The Speaker said, “After 60 years, our democracy should have grown beyond the point where conflicting visions of nationhood result in violence on the streets and blood on the ground.
“It is unavoidably and painfully clear that there were a number of casualties as a result of gunfire at the Lekki Tollgate.
“Therefore, there needs to be a quick and thorough investigation to determine the facts of what happened last night in Lagos. Our nation urgently needs and the Nigerian people deserve an accounting of the acts that led to the events of last night.”
In the same vein, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, formerly known as Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, in a statement on Wednesday said the incident was an unfortunate precedence that must not be repeated.
He said, “I strongly condemn the killings that took place yesterday (Tuesday) at the Lekki Tollgate and around the country. These grave incidents have no place in our country and set an unfortunate precedence that must not be repeated. Every instance of violence against the people of Nigeria must be thoroughly investigated by the authorities and the culprits must face the full weight of the law.
“My deepest sympathy goes out to the families that woke up this morning (Wednesday) with tears of mourning; may God truly comfort their hearts and grant them strength and fortitude to go through this dark moment.”
In like manner, the candidate of the National Rescue Movement in the forthcoming bye-election in Lagos East Senatorial District, Mr Mautin Olukunle, condemned the attack on unarmed protesters in Lagos and some other parts of the country.
Olukunle, in a statement by his campaign director, Mr Ololade Ladigbolu, called on all aggrieved youths and security agencies to sheathe their sword.
“It is also unfortunate that those that ordered the shooting and the governments at the federal and state levels, in the enforcement of law and order, had the option of applying some reasonable, non-lethal force, such as water cannons, tear gas and so many related but non-lethal, tested methods than the resort to gunning down innocent citizens in an extra-judicial manner.
“To us, the wanton murder of peaceful protesters, who have been conducting themselves in an organised and decent manner for about 12 days at Lekki, is unacceptable and condemnable in our democracy,” Olakunle said.
HRW, NLC Seek Troops’ Withdrawal
Similarly, the Human Rights Watch and the Nigeria Labour Congress condemned the killing of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at Lekki, Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country on Tuesday.
The two organisations, in separate statements on Wednesday, called for an investigation into the incident and equally asked the military authorities to immediately withdraw the troops from the streets.
The statement by Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch, Aniete Ewang, read, “Nigerian authorities turned a peaceful protest against police brutality into a shooting spree, showing the ugly depths they are willing to go to suppress the voices of citizens.
“The authorities should immediately withdraw the military from the streets, and identify and prosecute officers responsible for or are complicit in any excessive use of force against peaceful protesters.”
Also, In its statement titled, ‘The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns the Lekki toll gate killings,’ the NLC insisted that the protesters had the right to peaceful assembly.
The statement signed by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba; and Secretary General, Musa Lawal, commended the maturity and focus displayed by the protesters.
It stated, “We condemn this coldblooded murder of our young ones and the use of high-handed tactics on unarmed protesters in flagrant violation of every known convention and protocol on the management of protests.”
The union also condemned the infiltration of the protests by criminals elements and the subsequent attack on the custodial facilities in Edo State, noting that it was difficult to believe that it was carried out by the protesters.
Falana Led-Group Says Security Agencies To Blame
Additionally, a group, Alliance for Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, led by human rights lawyers, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), also on Wednesday condemned the Tuesday’s shooting of peaceful #EndSARS protesters and said security agencies were to blame for the looting and arson taking place in the state in the aftermath of the incident.
Falana, who is the interim national chairman of the group, in a statement said, “ASCAB unequivocally commends the young people who have been protesting peacefully all over Nigeria without engaging in any destructive activity.
“To this extent, ASCAB condemns the heinous killing of peaceful protesters in different parts of Nigeria and demands that the armed soldiers who shot, killed and fatally injured unarmed peaceful protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State, yesterday, 20th October, 2020, should be brought to book without any further delay.”
He expressed surprise that “gangs of hoodlums have been allowed to unleash mayhem on innocent people and set fire on targeted buildings”.
He noted that the hoodlums were “allowed to operate without any restraint from security forces”, a development he claims lends credence to the speculation that the miscreants were state sponsored.
Abdulsalami, Kukah Call For Calm
Likewise, the National Peace Committee chaired by a former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and convened by the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, on Wednesday called for calm.
The organisation also called on protesters to take a break, saying that the COVID-19 pandemic does not recognise protests.
The NPC in a statement by Abdulsalami and Kukah further said, “We call for a pause because the COVID-19 pandemic does not recognise our protests and it is dangerous for us to let our guards down especially when we see what is happening around the world with the new threats of the resurgence of this pandemic.
“Again, the youths are beginning to show signs of differences in objectives with the sudden emergence of criminal elements that are resorting to violence and mayhem. Burning down a police station, destroying police vehicles and endangering the lives of innocent citizens cannot be a way to show concern for the police force. It is also not possible that a responsible government will stand by to allow this chaos to continue.
“We therefore call for a pause because further escalation of violence could become counterproductive.”
The NPC also appealed to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to ensure that the rights of citizens were fully respected and protected.
Prosecute Soldiers Involved, Reps Tell Buhari
In the same way, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on the President to order arrest and prosecution of the soldiers who attacked #EndSARS protesters in Lagos.
The Minority Leader, Mr Ndudi Elumelu, in a statement ion Wednesday, condemned the killing of “peaceful and unarmed” protesters by security operatives at Lekki Tollgate and other parts of the country.
The statement partly read, “As lawmakers and representatives of the people, we cannot accept this gruesome execution of our young ones in their own country by security operatives. Life is sacred and no one has the right to terminate the life of another just because he has the apparatus of state power.
“We, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately order the arrest and prosecution of officers involved in the Lekki killing as well as the withdrawal of soldiers from engaging protesters.”
Ooni Offers To Negotiate With Government
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has condemned attack on unarmed youths in Lekki, Lagos and offered, alongside other traditional rulers, to negotiate with government on behalf of the protesters.
The royal father, in a statement on Wednesday by the Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, said the need by the authorities to protect public facilities was necessary, but should not include military engagement.
Oba Ogunwusi also said deployment of military personnel in civil protests should not have occurred until all peaceful avenues had been fully exhausted.
The statement read in parts, “The Federal and State governments have, no doubt, shown responsibility by accepting the demands of the #EndSARS movement. The youths should create a platform to monitor its implementation.
“There is a clear difference between the criminal hoodlums who have begun to hijack the hitherto peaceful protests and the patriotic Nigerian youths who were daily converging on the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos and selected locations in other states, including Abuja in line with global best practices of protest gathering.
“It is the hoodlums and vagrants perpetrating all manner of criminality discrediting the noble ideology of the peaceful youths that should be demobilised and arrested.”
The Western Metal Products Company (WEMPCO) Group, owners of Lagos Oriental Hotel, on Wednesday condemned attacks on its facilities during the violence that accompanied EndSARS protest in the Lekki area of Lagos.
Mr Taiwo Alli, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, WEMPCO Group, in a statement in Lagos said that the firm formally acknowledged there was an attack on its property by hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful protest.
Alli said that the facilities were attacked when hoodlums armed with guns, knives and bottles, forcefully gained entrance to the hotel, assaulted some of its security personnel and damaged property.
“Unidentified individuals, whose motives remain unknown to us, have gone to town with a rather unfortunate narrative, claiming that the Lagos Oriental Hotel is the investment of politicians, thereby exposing it to unwarranted attacks.
“Lagos Oriental Hotel is owned by the WEMPCO Group with 99% shareholding. The WEMPCO Group of Companies was founded by businessman and entrepreneur, Mr K. F. Tung over fifty (50) years ago.
“The Lagos Oriental Hotel is a flagship in the Nigerian hospitality business, but it’s not a flagship of the WEMPCO Group. It is an investment made by the group in 2008, but not part of their core manufacturing business.
“At present, WEMPCO Group provides jobs for over 25,000 young Nigerians, affording them the opportunity to earn a living and gain useful experience.
“It is, therefore, unfortunate the attempt to disrupt our business and tarnish our image, painstakingly built over the years,” he said.
Alli quoted the Managing Director, Mr Lawrence Tung, as saying that like other responsible businesses operating in Nigeria, Lagos Oriental Hotel was hopeful there would be an end to cases of injustice identified in the country.
“It is, however, important to protect our businesses from unwarranted attacks by individuals who may not be aware of the facts around our existence.
“We are fully cooperating with the authorities in their investigations into the remote and immediate causes of the incident that occurred on 20th, October 2020.
“We assure our numerous clients and partners that we are working to ensure that normalcy returns to the hotel,” Tung was quoted as saying.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EndSARS protest in Lagos took another dimension on Tuesday evening when soldiers allegedly shot protesters defying curfew at Lekki Toll Gate.
The development escalated into violence in Lagos and led to massive destruction of public and private facilities and vehicles.
The Commonwealth has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to bring the Nigerian Army officers involved in the killing of peaceful protesters in Lekki, Lagos State, and other parts of the country to book.
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, said she is in close talks with the Nigerian Government over the use of violence.
She said, “The Commonwealth strongly condemns the escalation of violence resulting in deaths in Lekki district in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
“The right to peaceful demonstrations and freedom of assembly are constitutionally protected rights and should be respected by all at all times.
“The perpetrators of these cowardly acts must be held accountable in accordance with the law.
“We note that an investigation has been ordered into these egregious human rights violations. Any investigation should be prompt and impartial, and the findings made public.
“We encourage a lasting solution that places the interests of all Nigerians above all other considerations.
“I extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and all those who have suffered during this difficult time. We stand ready to offer any assistance towards a prompt and peaceful resolution. The whole Commonwealth family stands in solidarity with the people of Nigeria.”
