LASG Wants Youths To Protect Badagry Cultural Heritage

Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu has tasked youths in Badagry to maintain the peace and protect the cultural heritage of the area.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser in view of the widespread destruction witnessed across the State, admonished youths to eschew violence and be mindful of spreading fake news on social media to avoid worsening the present situation.

In his words: “I wish to appeal to everybody to please reduce your social media engagement so that the tension can reduce. Badagry is known to be a peaceful community, let us continue to co-exist and not relent in preaching the message of peace, especially at this crucial period just as the government continues to do its part”.

“I promise to continue to engage all relevant stakeholders for the growth and development of Badagry. I also expect the youths to come up with a list of police brutality within and around Badagry. I know that some of our youths have lost their lives to brutality by our uniformed men and l, therefore, call on every one of us to make use of the Judicial Panel set up by the State Government to demand justice for these members of our community”, he added.

Bonu submitted that this is the time for everyone to come together for constructive engagement to find solutions to the challenges, imploring all residents, particularly those in Badagry, to embrace peace and togetherness among one another.

“At this point, let us exercise caution and guide against the spread of fake news. We should educate our youths to desist from indulging in hatred and discord through social media. This is the time we can make use of social media to protect our heritage and drive development to Badagry”, the Special Adviser asserted.

 

 

Meanwhile the attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to videos in social media and the online space, creating tension and encouraging ethnic conflicts.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged Lagosians to disregard the videos, which are the tools of anarchists, whose plan is to create hatred and divisiveness for which Lagos is not known.

Inciting videos of this nature are not what our land needs now, following the loss of lives and destruction that fake news, misinformation and unfounded rumours have triggered in our dear State in the last couple of days.

The government appeals to Lagosians to disregard the calls of ethnic and religious jingoists as well as agents of destruction who are on a mission to destroy our State by pitching us against one another for yet to be ascertained reasons.

This is a very critical moment for us as a people. It is, therefore, important that we stand together and remain circumspect because the brewery of falsehood is unrelenting in its mission.

Lagos State is the melting point of various cultures, tribes and religions across Nigeria. We have co-existed harmoniously for ages and will continue to live together peacefully.

The sad incident of the past few days affected everyone who lives, trades or works in Lagos, regardless of their tribe, culture, race and religion. This is a time for us to empathise with one another and not listen to purveyors of evil messages, especially on social media.

The government will continue to protect lives and property. Fake news and inciting message merchants are hereby warned to stop their evil enterprise or face the legal consequences of their destructive actions. Our dear State will go through this with the resilience for which we are known and come out stronger.