Watch Group Expresses Reservations Over Ogun Governor’s Celebration of Frivolity
… Says Disbandment of SARS Is A Setback”
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Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, MMWGN, Ogun State has frowned on Gov Dapo Abiodun’s monetary and material gestures to the winner of the 2020 Big Brother Naija,(BBN), Season 5, Lekan Agbelesebioba, (aka Laycon), describing it as misplacement of priority and unjudicious use of public funds.
The group noted that the Governor’s action amounts to celebrating frivolity, promoting immorality and indecency which BBN represents.
The statement,signed by the State Coordinator, Kamaldeen Akintunde, esq stated that the activities of BBN undermines Nigeria’s much cherished cultural and ethical value, hence, FG’s consideration of a ban on the play group. It noted the doling of #5m and three- bedroom bungalow to celebrate Laycon as misleading, ill-conceived, may, a misdirection.
The fact that several youths in the state have done the state proud by winning laurels at national and international fora in literature, science, sports, etc and which were not adequately rewarded have made Laycon’s celebration a mockery of excellence, the release stated. While also denouncing Laycon’s honour of “Youth Ambassador”.
The group which lauded the governor’s recent
accolades to teachers for excellence stated that Laycon’s own is incomparable and has no basis. It noted that Ogun State is the cradle of civilization and therefore put a question mark to the premise for which BBN winner is being celebrated.
And in a state where some public schools are in dire state of disrepair like Methodist High School, Ogbe-Abeokuta.
One of the dilapidated classrooms at Methodist High School, Ogbe-Abeokuta, Ogun State.
While understanding the dilemma of the governor in maintaining a balance between political considerations and ethical values (by way of appreciating relevant constituencies and groups), MMWGN felt the style or approach could have been further reviewed as State Chief Executives must always be exemplary and noble, both their actions and inactions.
In noting the constitutional provision of right of existence and freedom of association and participation as just, the group counselled the governor to prioritise the use of state funds and avoid wastage under the pretext of rewarding and celebrating excellence.
Meanwhile, MMWGN has described the disbandment of SARS as a painful setback to the steady and calculated efforts to ensuring national stability. Noting that government’s action is in tandem with popular opinion, it argued that you “do not throw away the baby with the bad water”.
Describing the ceaseless brutality and terror being unleashed on the people by the disbanded SARS operatives as worrisome, it called for caution in the continued nationwide EndSARS protests, stating that the persistent public demonstration has become unjustifiable since government has taken initiative in addressing the public demands.
Reminding the protesters that “two wrongs can never make a right”, it admonished Nigerian youths to always exercise restraint and eschew violence in the exercise of their rights, asking them to embrace the culture of moderation, sensibility and maturity in carrying out lawful and genuine protests to express their anger over unpopular policies.
The group commended PMB, the NASS and governors for their ‘display of understanding’ in handling the EndSARS protests, just as it sued for patience by the public over Special Weapons and Tactics Team, SWAT, a fresh Police formation announced by IGP to fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS, as claimed by the IGP.
It however reminded the IGP.
that “there is no amount of red oil giving to a goat, its faeces will still be black”, emphasising a changed attitude and operations less of human right abuses,extra-judicial killings, corruption,unethical conduct by the new tactical formation or unit. While also stressing a fast track of the holistic reform of the Police Force by the Presidential Panel on Police Reforms as a way out of the quagmire.
