Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, says he was fiery and irrepressible activist in his younger years but he knew when to put out the fire of activism so as not be consumed by it.
Fayemi who spoke at a symposium organised by the Harvard Kenny School Alumni Association of Nigeria, on Friday, said he knew when to stop his physical agitation to dialogue and negotiate with the government to achieve his objectives.
The governor disclosed that he was a #EndSARS protesters of some sort in his younger years
Eko Hot Blog reports that he implored the youth to rid themselves of sense of entitlement and be ready to fight for what they want.
He said when agitating for good governance, the youth should know when to back down and negotiate, noting that they must be tactful and diplomatic and not bullish and
“We do owe them a duty to begin to respond to those reasonable demands that they make for a good education which is a right not a privilege, for accountable governance, for human rights protection and I think this is something that the government must respond to,” Fayemi said.
“They are the larger part of the population but they need to really rid themselves of a sense of entitlement because nobody gives you these things freely, you have to fight for it and I am glad that they are beginning to fight for it.
“Ultimately, when they start knocking on that door, and they break the door open, they will be allowed in. But in breaking it open, they can do it by stealth rather than by brigandage.
READ ALSO: Our Focus As Nigerians Should Be Good Governance, Not 2023 Polls – Fayemi
“Some of us have spent our time at the barricade. In the better time of my younger days, I was also a #EndSARS protester of sorts as you know. But I knew when to stop and when to start negotiating with those in power and authority and ultimately, we made some progress.”
Fayemi was a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which was on the frontline of the battle against the military over the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
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