By Abdulrauf Taofeeq Alada

As Lagos and other states in the country were caught in the conflagration of the 2020 EndSARS protest, my dearest State of Harmony was not an exception as it recorded a pocket of unprecedented violence, destruction and vandalization of both government infrastructures and privately owned properties and businesses in the city capital by the hoodlums that claimed to be protesters of the demonstrations. Who bore the brunts of the destruction the most? The poor!

The post-EndSARS protest saw the negative consequences where many business owners experienced huge losses on their investments and public infrastructure was also destroyed.

The occurrences were sad realities but the fair-time response from the Government to support the individuals and commercial victims through cash grants to repair their damaged businesses was another masterstroke in the history of governance in Kwara State.

This underscores the vision and commitment of Mall Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s administration towards securing enduring peace and development for the citizens of Kwara State.

That being said, the reality of economic hardship in the country brought another planned nationwide protest by EndBadGovernanceinNigeria crooners which also gained absolute attention from citizens in reaction to hunger and pain in the country.

While the country is going through a tormenting economic recovery period, the reactions of the people are legitimate and understandable, however, the appropriate approach by the Government of Kwara State through multi-dimensional stakeholder engagement further shows that Mall Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq is a leader that priorities peaceful and conducive environment for people and the Governor is ensuring that with all manner of sacrifices.

A week into the protest, Governor Abdulrazaq engaged critical stakeholders in both public and private sectors, student leaders, religious and ethnic groups, market men and women, road transporters and community leaders.

The simple message to Kwarans is always about peace and avoiding any action that will damage our collective bargaining as we witnessed during EndSARS.

This approach is people-centric and allows both the government and the stakeholders to see the need to employ other strategic ways of solving problems rather than allowing monsters that aren’t genuine protesters to inflict yet another damage to lives and properties.

This action of the Government and the stakeholders in the state is commendable, thus Kwarans need to clap for HE ABDULRAHMAN Abdulrasaq.

I pray that Kwara continues to witness this enduring peace and development.

ABDULRAUF Taofeeq Alada
Convener,
Progressive Elites for Good Governance