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Sports News of Thursday, 22 October 2020

Source: legit.ng

Our thoughts and prayers - Man Utd legend Ferdinand on present state of Nigeria

Rio Ferdinand was on a 3-day visit to Nigeria in 2019 for a coaching clinic Rio Ferdinand was on a 3-day visit to Nigeria in 2019 for a coaching clinic

Rio Ferdinand has urged governments around the world to wake up and save Nigeria from her current debacle as protests in the country rages on with lives and properties are being lost.

It has been more than two weeks now that Nigerian youths have taken to the streets in all nooks and crannies of the country calling for an end to police brutality.

The peaceful protests took a new turn on Tuesday night, October 20 when gunmen fired at protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate leaving an unconfirmed number of casualties.

In retaliation, angry youths have taken to government, private properties as well as facilities burning and looting stores as the situation seem uncontrollable.

Recall that Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, arrived in Lagos on Thursday night, November 29, on paid a 3-day to Nigeria in November 2018.

The legend joined local football teams as part of a coaching clinic and met fans/competition winners at the Guinness Africa stadium viewing centre event.

He has reacted to the ongoing situation in Nigeria, urging governments around the world to help resolve the crisis.

He wrote:

“Through various working partnerships I have been fortunate to travel to many different countries. The feeling I have when I visit Nigeria has always been special to me as I’ve grown up with Nigerian culture all around me.“Many memories from my childhood come back to me and one of the main things is SMILING.“Today that is not the case for Nigerians, smiling is the last thing on the minds of the Nigerian people.“Governments from all around the World need to wake up & help to sort these types of things out. The worrying part is that this is not the first nor will it be the last of this type of thing to happen.“So play your part in raising awareness to wake the powers that be into stepping in and helping. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them all during these cr**y & chaotic times!”Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Nana Akufo-Addo, the president of Ghana and chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority, has called for calm and the use of dialogue to resolve the ongoing #EndSARS protests in Nigeria.

The West African president disclosed this in a tweet on Wednesday evening, October 21, on his verified Twitter account following the killings of protesters and the campaign against police brutality