TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his commitment to fulfilling the five-point demands of #EndSARS protesters.

In October, many Nigerians, youths especially, under the #EndSARS campaign, took to the streets across the country to demand an end to police brutality and extrajudicial killing by security operatives.

After several days of protesting, they made a five-point demand to the federal government including the immediate release of all arrested #EndSARS protesters, justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and an overhaul of the police.

The federal government accepted the demands and Buhari also issued a directive, calling for a reform of the police force.

In his New Year speech on Friday, the president said the protests were understandable, adding that his government would continue to listen to the voices of the youth.

He reiterated his commitment to fulfilling the demands which he said were made in the best interest of the country.

“In this journey to nationhood, we have experienced the highs and lows. 2020 indeed came with a lot of challenges ranging from security and economic issues across the regions to understandable protests that were mainly led by our youths and served notice to the demand for police reforms and accountability. This government heard, this government listened and this government is committed to fulfilling the five demands of our youths, fully understanding that we all wish well for Nigeria,” Buhari said.

“In the midst of all these challenges, I had initially pledged that as your elected President and Commander-in-Chief, I would ensure that these ongoing challenges will be faced head-on with renewed determination and with all the appropriateness and urgency required. Your voices have been heard and we would continue to listen to you, and all the key stakeholders who are committed to the unity of Nigeria to ensure that every region of this nation is safe for us all, while guaranteeing that the future is also secure for the coming generation.

“Our young people are our most valuable natural resource, at home and abroad. Their ingenuity, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit is evident to all. Many of our young people are excelling in various spheres of life including sports, entertainment, information and communication technology, commerce and are globally recognized as achievers.”

Buhari also said his administration is “committed to actively engaging with the creative energies of our young people”.

“In this regard, we will partner with the legislature to develop an enabling environment to turn their passions into ideas that can be supported, groomed and scaled across regions. This will create vast opportunities in fintech, agriculture, business process startups and in the entertainment industry,” he said.