Nigerian Associations of Physicians in Diaspora have condemned the orgy of violence that followed the peaceful EndSARS protests in Nigerian cities, berating also, the security agents that brutally attacked the peaceful protesters.
The Doctors’ Associations of great Britain, South Africa, America, Canada, and Germany, in a recent joint statement authored and signed by their presidents, also called on governments in the country at all levels, to engage in meaningful dialogue with citizens, with adequate representation of youths to determine how the reforms “in policing, security, education, social justice, health, and governance,” expected to “be addressed and implemented with urgency” following the protests “will be achieved in a transparent and accountable way in the short, medium and long term.”
Full text of the statement reads:
Joint Statement by the Nigerian Medical Associations in Diaspora on #ENDSARS
The Nigerian Associations Physicians in Diaspora have watched with dismay, the disgraceful level of violence going on in our country Nigeria. It is regrettable to note, that the legitimate quest by the Nigerian youths, for the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which initially started as a peaceful demonstration, turned ugly in many cities in Nigeria especially in the commercial Centre, Lagos.
It is disheartening and troubling to see on the social media and International News outlets, the brutal response to these protests by the Nigerian security forces. We stand together in solidarity with fellow Nigerians in mourning the loss of bright lives of Nigerian youths during the #ENDSARS demonstrations across the country. We empathize with the wounded and pray for their speedy recovery and denounce every act of maltreatment by the Nigerian security forces towards its citizenry. The demands of the ordinary and average Nigerian youth for reform in policing, security, education, social justice, health, and governance are reasonable and eminent. These must be addressed and implemented with urgency.
The recent intervention and statement by the Head of State, General Mohammed Buhari is welcomed. It is anticipated that this would be the beginning of changes and reforms to governance, youth development and empowerment as promised during our Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
We urge every Nigerian to continue to uphold the highest level of professionalism in discharging their day to day duties. We also call on our clinician colleagues to support one another, and the health authorities, regulatory bodies, and professional associations to do all that is necessary, without any further delay, to improve the standard of medical practice in Nigeria.
Additionally, the Nigerian government – Federal, State and Local must engage in meaningful dialogue with its citizenry by allowing adequate representation of the Nigerian youth to determine how these reforms will be achieved in a transparent and accountable way in the short, medium and long term. These demands are within the grasps of the Government.
Finally, we condemn any acts of violence, and arson, perpetrated by any person or group of persons and those who have taken advantage of such opportunities to further their criminal tendencies. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
