Sanwoolu orders closure of Lagos public, private schools over #EndSARS protest

Oredola Adeola |

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu has directed all students in public and private schools to stay at home following the tension generated by the #EndSARS protests.

This was contained in a statement released by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo.

Recall that the protest on Monday  took a new dimension  as alleged infiltrators hijacked the what had earlier been described as peaceful protest across the state leading to destruction  of lives and properties. 

According to the Commissioner,   the safety of the pupils/students, parents and all staff working in schools is paramount at this critical period, advising parents to keep an eye on their wards and prevent them from being used as tools by those who might want to hijack the protests to unleash mayhem on the society.

Mrs. Adefisayo further charged schools to utilise other means of distance teaching and learning such as radio, television and online media similar to the practice during the closure occasioned by the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Commissioner however disclosed  that a new date for resumption of all classes will be announced in due course. 

In another development Governor  Sanwoolu has urged

the youths demonstrating against police brutality in the State to leave the roads and embrace the dialogue for the resolution of their agitations.

The Governor, on Monday, said the State Government had shown sincerity and willingness to address all concerns raised by the protesters, given the actions taken so far, including the constitution of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and setting up of compensation funds for the victims.

Sanwo-Olu made the appeal during the swearing-in of members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution at the State House in Marina.

The Governor’s appeal came on the heel of violent dimension assumed by the EndSARS protests in some parts of the State.

Reiterating his solidarity with the protesters’ demands, Sanwo-Olu said the pain expressed and concerns raised were genuine and legitimate. This, he said, prompted the Federal and States’ governments to immediately acquiesce to some of the demands, while setting process in motion to implement others changes demanded.

The Governor urged the protesters to be part of the process of implementing the reforms they clamoured for in the police, stressing that continuous blocking of roads, Government and private offices would slow down the procedure of implementing their demands.