Dialogue, Not Force The ongoing #EndSARS protests by Nigerian youths have continued in many cities of the country despite the government’s swift response to their initial demands. It is clear that the disbandment of the dreaded Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) and subsequent replacement with the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) has not assuaged the demands of the youths, who have consistently trooped out on the streets in rain and sunshine, even at nights, to show their dissatisfaction with the solution offered by government to their demands. The issues are clearly more fundamental than the replacement of one police unit with another. The youths, and indeed most well-meaning Nigerians, are calling for justice for the individuals and families affected by the brutality of the policemen attached to the disbanded SARS unit. They are also using the protest to bring to the fore the systemic failures which have led to widespread corruption, lack of accountability and massive youth unemployment, among other ills. A BBC News report on 15th October insinuated that the Nigerian Army may be deployed to quell the protests by force. This is very disturbing and we hope it does not happen. Such a measure, if adopted, can only lead to injuries and possible deaths, and an escalation of the protests. It has the tendency of turning the largely peaceful protests into a violent one. We therefore urge the Federal Government to toe the line of engagement in dialogue, listening to the demands of the youth and other well-meaning Nigerians. We commend the government for acceding to the demands of the youth. Now, the whole country looks forward to practical steps that would be taken to implement them. We believe that a sincere and transparent response to the demands of the young people would go a long way in resolving the present impasse. The youths, on their part, must continue to go about their protests peacefully and not allow themselves to be led into any act of violence, no matter how small. We must all remember that the whole world is watching us to see how we handle this situation. We, therefore, call for dialogue and mutual understanding in addressing the situation at hand for the benefit of our young people and the future of our country. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ fbid=3416004618482964&id=460913837325405

~~~Daily Spiritual Digest~~~ ________________________________ [18-10-2020] Focus: The Only Antidote for Sin WORD FOR TODAY The only way to be free from sin is to flee from it. It only takes a man who has been helped of God through the work of the cross to flee from sin!!! ************************************ Scriptural Reference "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There is no immunity against sin. There is no anointing that can prevent a man from sinning. The man who will not sin is the one who flees from sin. Irrespective of who you are and how great and long God has been using you, you are not permitted to toil with sin but to flee from it. Each time you flee from sin you will escape from it. Joseph flees when he was tempted and sin did not catch up with him. You don't stand in front of sin to resist it. The way to resist it is to flee from it. You must be careful and seek God to help you to flee each time sin is crouching at the door. As you flee from sin, you are to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace as God's children. + Is your life free from sin? Lord! Let grace be made available for me to always flee from sin and pursue righteousness in Jesus name. Amen!!! Emphasis: Sin will not catch with you if you find strength in God to flee from it!!! Have a Graceful Worship Experience!!!