News

Why Actor Mr Macaroni, Falz declined Gov Sanwo-Olu’s ‘Lagos peace walk’ invitation

On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, Nigerian entertainers Adebola Adebayo aka Mr Macaroni and Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz both declined the invitation of Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to a peace walk for “the healing of Lagos”.

This was contained in a statement published on the microblogging site, Twitter where the popular skit maker, Mr Macaroni admonished the Lagos State to accept responsibility for the heinous events that unravelled on October 20, 2020 at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos State.

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, the Lagos State governor in a press conference had noted that as part of moves to ‘heal’ Lagos state following the October 20, 2020, Lekki tollgate shooting, a peace walk which he would participate in would be organized and he invited the likes of Folarin Falana (Falz), Debo Adebayo (Mr. Macaroni), Dele Farotimi, Temitope Majekodunmi, Segun Awosanya (Segalink), Adedotun (Just Detoun), Seun Kuti, Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu and Commander of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Yinka Egbeyemi and others to join him in the “historic march for our dear Lagos.”

Reacting, however, to the invitation via a series of tweets, Macaroni said the government should implement the recommendation by the panel to build trust from its people.

“I humbly decline the Invitation of Mr Governor. The Government themselves set up a panel. The panel has made recommendations. I believe that genuine peacemaking will begin by first implementing the recommendations of the panel. Then we can begin to trust the government,” he tweeted.

“Mr Governor has said it in his speech. That to be a center of Excellence, we have to be a Center of Truth. Before there can be healing, the government has to be sincere. There must be acceptance of wrongdoings and willingness to correct them.”

Meanwhile, Nigerian rapper, Falz has also signified his disinterest to participate in the peace walk.

Falz said: “This suggestion of a ‘walk of peace’ sounds like a joke and a very disrespectful one at that. People were murdered in cold blood and absolutely no iota of justice has been served more than a year after. How can there be peace without justice?

“In this same speech, you said ‘To be a smart city, we first must be a just one. Remember the young Nigerians that had their lives snatched away by weapons wielded by our own Armed Forces? You want to sweep that under the carpet? Is that how to establish a just city? #ENDSARS.

“Young Nigerians, till today, are still being constantly harassed and extorted by police officers!! You were awfully quiet about that. Or are you not aware? #ENDSARS.”

About the author

Ridwan Adelaja

Venture analyst focusing on African tech startups, founders and the Big Five ventures: Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google and Microsoft.

He also takes time out to showcase amazing African thought leaders. Before coming to maintain his spotlight column on Quillcastle Nigeria, he anchored Youngfrica TV Show on CBA TV during his stay in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Tel: +2348025300029
Email: justolaola@gmail.com

Add Comment

Click here to post a comment