Dr Dipo Awojide, a Senior Lecturer in Strategy at Nottingham Business School (UK), the Founder of BTDT Hub and BTDT Home Tutors, a renowned Careers and Personal Development Coach and a Twitter enthusiast has asked the Nigerian government to act and give in to all the demands of young people.
In his words, “This issue is getting out of hands. The police/federal govt need to brief citizens at least every 8-10 hours to demonstrate some seriousness. It’s looking like people won’t give up protesting. No need to bring in the Army. This will most certainly lead to loss of lives. #SWATMUSTEND and the IG of Police must go #SWATMUSTEND #EndSWAT ✊🏾”
In supporting the Nigerian youths, the career and personal development coach said; “One minute you’re calling young Nigerians lazy, and easily distracted for spending so much time watching Big Brother Naija.
Next minute you’re trying to beg them endlessly to stop protesting and leave the streets. Life comes at you very fast. #EndSWAT #SWATMUSTEND”
He has also disclosed that one of the tactics of the Nigerian government is to make the issue they are tackling an ethnic and tribe issue. He warns the protesters not to fall for the ethnic baiting, instead they should focus on the main goal which is to end police brutality.
“Try not to fall for the ethnic baiting. Don’t make this issue about one tribe vs another tribe. FOCUS on the demands. #EndSWAT #SWATMUSTEND ✊🏾. Don’t fall for or be distracted by the divide and conquer plan. Focus on the main goals – #EndSWAT #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria ✊🏾✊🏾”
Dr Dipo Awojide has told Nigerian youths what the Nigerian government will most likely accuse them for. He has however advised the protesters to be vigilant and always gather evidences, and they should not forget why they are doing this because justice must be served for those who have lost their lives to this cause.
“If you didn’t know this was going to get to payment of thugs to disrupt those protesting, then, you haven’t been living in Nigeria or paying attention in the last 5 years. Now, the police and government will try to say protesters attacked innocent people in Abuja. #EndSWAT
“You will be accused of violence, attacking innocent people, and destroying government asset and infrastructure. Then, soldiers might be sent out to the streets. Gather your evidences. Pictures, videos. Keep them. #EndSWAT #SWATMUSTEND. Arrest and parade the killers of Jimoh Isiaq. #EndSWAT #SARAMUSTEND ✊🏾”
The lecturer and Twitter enthusiast has also made his intentions clear, he said his goal is the same as everybody’s- To end SARS. He also made it known that he does not want to be on the panelists list.
“I have thought about the past 24 hours and would like to apologise to everyone for my proposed list which didn’t include my humble self.
However noble my intentions, they were misplaced, unrepresentative of our course and has distracted from the goal. This is regretted. My support to our collective goal remains unwavering to #EndSWAT #EndSARSNOW #ENDPOLICEBRUTALITYINNIGERIA. I don’t want to be a saviour on this SARS issue.I have a proper career.
I am not an activist. I am a common lecturer.
I am not seeking to profit from the pains of people or build a career from this.
I created a list to ensure ACTION but left out some people who are now angry.”
They wanted to calm us down. We said no promises. Just go and ACT and mood will change. Is this wrong?”