Commending the Leadership Qualities of Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Handling the ENDSARS protest
Femi Ayoola
The real outlook of a man’s character is best known and reveal during challenging times, it’s much very easier for many to hide their true character in times of luxury and comfort.
The recent ENDSARS protest in Nigeria afforded Lagosians to have a pure grasp of the true character of its amiable Governor who not only distinguished himself as a true representative but also one who is indeed worthy of the highly exalted office.
At a time when all eyes was on the economic seat of the Federation, and all that the people needed was a strong display of strong and coordinated Leadership, one basked with empathy and proactiveness, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu rose to the occasion leading thousands of Lagosians to re-claim the state from the hands of hoodlums who have hijacked the peaceful and tranquil outlook of the State.
For a state that was just coming out of the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic as Lagos State was the epicenter of the virus in Nigeria, Sanwo-Olu showed no fatigue or weariness in his handling and management of the ENDSARS protest.
His intervention of ensuring that the demands of the Nigerian youths who had gathered in Lagos to drive home their demands of ending police brutality by taking the demands personally to the President of the Federation, President Muhammadu Buhari. Also his effort of setting up a Trust Fund to compensate the families of those who have died as a result of Police Brutality in the State should be highly commended.
Adding to his numerous Laudable efforts during the incident, he ensured that he visited all the victims of the ENDSARS incidents at the various hospitals, making sure that they were adequately taken care of as he gave orders that their bills will be settled by the State.
His constant use of the media to keep Lagosians and the rest of the nation updated with the latest development is one which is rare among the political class in the country. He ensured that he made himself available to both his people and also the international community to brief and enlightened them all about what really on the 20th of October 2020 at the Lekki Toll gate.
Not resting on these, the creation of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution to further holistically investigate the various cases of police brutality in the state is one which must be applauded.
There’s no doubt about the competence of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his honesty in leading the people of Lagos State. The leadership strides which he has shown over these past few months are worthy of emulation and commendation.