#EndSARS: Clarion all for overhaul of security, healthcare, education, others – Echono

The President, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc. Sonny Echono, has said the #EndSARS protests which rocked the country was clarion call for the overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, healthcare, education, and sports sectors, among others to meet the yearning and aspiration of the youth and Nigerians in general.

Arc Echono, in a press statement in Abuja, said: “Nigeria has witnessed the agitations by our youths calling for an end to Police brutality via the #EndSARS protests. The Nigerian Institute of Architects recognises the pain of our teeming youth and the significance of their cries.

“Their generation is desperate for a country that works, one that nurtures their dreams and aspirations. A nation we can all be proud of.

“It is indeed a clarion call for an overhaul of our law and order, healthcare, education, culture and sports institutions to a level able to meet the yearning and aspiration of our youth and Nigerians in general.

“We salute the courage and largely peaceful conduct of the youth during the period of their protest and encourage their continued engagement with government.

“May I seize this moment to empathize with our members, especially graduate and student members who have been victims of police harassment and brutality on account of such basic acts as carrying a laptop or other devices critical to architectural education.”

He said had made arrangements to provide some measure of succour to members of the institute with confirmed cases of police harassment and brutality under the Benevolent Fund of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

Speaking further, he said the institute as part of its support for the ongoing reforms by federal government, particularly the state of the buildings and facilities which drive the key sectors, intends to partner with government at all levels and other professionals in the built environment.

He said the institute had concluded to commence a nationwide public audit for all Police colleges, stations, barracks and related facilities including prisons, courts, healthcare facilities, public schools, public squares, parks and gardens, cultural centres as well as sports facilities.

“This exercise will be carried out across the 36 states and the FCT by our special projects committee and task teams setup in all our state chapters in conjunction with the relevant government personnel.

“The outcome of this exercise will be communicated to government at all levels with a view to advising and guiding informed interventions aimed at addressing the fundamental shortcomings identified.

“Specifically, we note the correlation between non-functional and dilapidated police stations and barracks that are unfit for human habitation to the violent disposition of some personnel of the Nigeria Police.

“We will therefore liaise with the Police authorities at the national and state levels to design modern facilities that will be conducive for the discharge of their mandates,” the president stated.

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