- Organizers call for calm in the land
- Begs youth, govt to sheath sword and embrace dialogue
- Commiserates with those who have lost lives, limbs, properties
Admin l Monday, October 26, 2020
LAGOS, Nigeria – Organisers of the 7th edition of Trek Africa National Discourse and Awards have announced a new date for the event. Previously scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2020, the event has been shifted to November 22nd, 2020.
The event with the theme ‘Lofty Heights Attain: Nigeria’s Call beyond COVID-19’ will focus on four major national issues; politics, economy, security and media.
McKinggs Media, the Publishers of Trek Africa Newspaper said the shift is in response to the sociopolitical unrest in the country that has led to the death of peaceful protesters and other citizens, several cases of injury and harm done to lawful members of the public; and wanton destruction of national assets and private investments by hoodlums taking place in many parts of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the organizers of the conference, Abayomi Oyelami the editor of Trek Africa Newspaper used the opportunity to ‘inform the chairman of the occasion, all seasoned speakers, panelists, esteemed awardees, corporate business partners, media associates and the general public that though there is a change in date for the conference, the venue Golden Gate, Ikoyi, Lagos and time 2.00pm remain unchanged. We sincerely apologize any inconvenience that this rescheduling or change in date may cause every expected attendee of Trek Africa’s flagship conference and awards.’
It is apparent that the #EndSARS protest which began two weeks ago as a demonstration of free speech by Nigerian youths has been hijacked by unscrupulous elements. The process started by our youths intended to #EndPoliceBrutalityInNigeria and #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria has not done any advantage by the hijackers of this protest whether they are politically motivated or not.
The theme of the conference ‘Lofty Heights Attain: Nigeria’s Call beyond COVID-19’ is even more fitting in the light of this current situation. The four pivotal areas – politics, economy, security and media – that were meant to be discussed at the conference have been greatly affected. Law courts, public transport companies, national security outfits, police installations, media stations, business concerns, and many others were torched in the process. It is time for the country to have a rethink and act differently so as to achieve new results.
The editor of Trek Africa Newspaper, Abayomi Oyelami urges the government to listen to the demands of the youth as it represents the yearnings of the entire citizenry. He also encouraged youths to offer the government a benefit of doubt. He also advised them to ‘be careful what you share, be careful what you post, and be careful what you believe’ so as not to further heat up the tense situation in the country with unverified news and stories.
