Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Pastor Sam Adeyemi has commended those who protested peacefully against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad regretting however that the protest was hijacked by hoodlums and irate mobs.
In a series of tweets on his Twitter handle starting from Saturday, October 24 to Sunday, October 25, Adeyemi urged the young people to be strong and keep the discussion going for a better Nigeria.
While praying for those who lost loved ones and properties, he appealed to the peaceful protesters to use their influence to prevail on those who hijacked the protest to stop looting and destruction of properties.
The tweets are reproduced below
- Many Lagosians and people in other cities must have been shocked today seeing the level of destruction unleashed this week. We pray strength, peace, courage, and restoration for those that suffered losses.
- We pray for peace over our nation, and for the wisdom of God to help us love one another and promote justice, so we can prosper and continue to live in peace.
- The power gap between the leader and the led is high in most developing countries. That gap is low in most developed countries. You crushed that gap. You ran an efficient system on a flat structure. Your model of leadership facilitates development.
- You overcame things that have divided our country and frustrated it’s development including ethnicity and religion, and put up a united front. You practically shared love instead of our culture of prejudice. That was a breakthrough.
- Dear young citizen. It’s time for everyone to reflect. The massive destruction of properties in Lagos and other cities is so sad. Some want to blame you, but you must not buy that narrative. They know those that introduced violence. #ENDSARS
- Your flat leadership structure meant no one was dominating another. As leaders, you took responsibility and served one another. You were accountable and transparent, announcing income and expenses daily. These have not been part of our leadership culture.
- You provided “stomach infrastructure”, meeting the basic needs for food and water. You provided healthcare with ambulance services. Some even got free haircuts on the street. Your organization was efficient.
- You got quick wins. A governor came to meet you on the street (I commend him for this). SARS was dissolved and the government agreed to your 5for5 demands (I commend the government for these).
- Continue to call for a stop to the looting and destruction. Take a deep breath. You created a mini new Nigeria. How do you take things forward and scale-up? Please, stay strong online, own your narrative by all means and keep your discussions going. #ENDSARS