In honor of Nigerians’ ongoing fight for justice, former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro, rtd., has encouraged President Bola Tinubu to proclaim October 20th as National Freedom Day every year.
Okiro made the appeal during a press conference he gave to commemorate the third anniversary of the EndSARS Memorial 2023/36th monthly Extra-Ordinary Zoom Session of the Diplomatic, Diaspora, and National Strategic Stakeholders Forum. Okiro is currently the Board Chairman of JusticeNOW International, also known as the NigeriaFIRST Foundation.
The former IGP also congratulated President Tinubu for what he called his well-timed nominations of young people to key positions in the administration, including those of Interior Minister, Minister of Youth Development, Minister of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, and several others.
According to Okiro, the President would demonstrate to the world that he was never against the EndSARS protest at the Lekki Toll Gate, as had been widely assumed in some Nigerian and international circles, by approving the request for National Freedom Day.
The ex-IGP said, “Your Excellency, in your noble capacity as the Head of the Government of Nigeria, the full responsibility and powers now rest on your shoulders to do something remarkable to change the narratives of the #EndSARS for the better because this generation cannot forget the memories of October 20, 2020.
“As a body committed to the NigeriaFIRST advocacy, which seeks national Interest, patrotism and peaceful co-existence, we are therefore officially and publicly appealing, for the third time, thus using the instrumentality of your Excellency’s Renewed Hope to appeal for your Excellency’s Presidential Declaration of October 20th as National Freedom Day- to remember our collective struggles of our youths for justice.
“Your Excellency Mr. President, it will please you to know that the Institunalisation of October 20th as National Freedom Day (National Holiday) would be one of Your Excellency’s greatest legacy ever.
“It will show your true appreciation of your love for the youths as this development would serve as a sign of respect to the souls of departed at Lekki Toll Gate otherwise known as struggles for social justice.
“Already, one of our Organization’s advocacy for the EndSARS has been clearly witnessed which is your Excellency’s maximum engagement of youths and young People the governance structures of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“We therefore use this opportunity to thank your Excellency for the strategic appointments of a truly young persons to serve as Hon. Ministers for Humanitarian And Poverty Alleviation as well as Minister for Youth Development and the Minister for Interior and several others in the Presidency.
“This is a great sign your excellency will approve this national proposal (October 20) to further prove your excellency was never against the EndSARS Protest at the Lekki Toll Gate as it was widely speculated by some quarters in Nigeria and abroad.”
While appreciating the efforts of the Organization’s Speaker and International President, Comrade Vik-Morrow in this diaspora strategic engagements, Okiro lauded Nigerian/African Diaspora stakeholders for their support over the years.
