Pastor Sam Adeyemi of the Daystar Christian Center has warned against the firing of bullets and teargas at protesters seeking an end to police brutality and extortion in Nigeria.
Adeyemi cautioned the Federal Government and men of the Nigeria Police Force in a series of tweets on Saturday.
He described the attack on the protesters as unacceptable.
His tweets came a few hours after a protester, Jimoh Isiaka, was allegedly shot dead by one of the men of the Nigeria Police Force while attempting to disperse the protesters.
However, the Oyo State Police Command denied killing Isiaka, claiming that its men-only fired teargas at the protesters.
Adeyemi said, “It is totally unacceptable for the police to fire teargas at young citizens attending non-violent #ENDSARS protests. We cannot sustain the idea that the voice of the African youth is not to be heard.
“To our young citizens, please continue to speak. Please speak as leaders, not as victims. Leaders respond to victims’ react. Press the point to negotiate for a win/win. The police/public officer is also sometimes a victim of a warped system. Change everything.
“We are not going to be leaders tomorrow, we are leaders already. Leaders lead with vision and a broad perspective. #ENDSARS is a beachhead. The war is bigger. Have a clear picture of a developed Nigeria. Push for a change in values and in the power equation.
I appeal to leaders in government and the police force, please listen and respond. #ENDSARSNOW as a courageous commitment to change. When people are not heard, they raise their voices. This is a generational opportunity to move 200m people, mostly youths, to achieve development.
“The mean age in Africa is 19.5 years, but the mean age of Presidents is 62 years (The Brookings Institution, Foresight Africa Report 2019). We need interpreters between the generations. The world has changed and political leaders need to know this and to lead with good advice.
“Building a developed economy is inevitable. Let citizens prosper through land reforms, electoral reforms, change of constitution, devolution of power, world-class education, infrastructural development, access to capital, etc.
“Creating or providing these require courageous leadership. Let’s do it. God bless Nigeria. God bless Africa.”
