Nigerian govt condemns George Floyd’s killing

The Nigerian government has condemned George Floyd’s killing, and police brutality, and racial discrimination against Africans in the diaspora.

Mr Floyd was an unarmed black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes as he told them “I can’t breathe”.

Floyd’s death has sparked mass protests across the US, and in other countries across the globe.

His death has led to calls for the end of systematic racism and police brutality.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the National Council for Arts and Culture have now joined voices in condemning his killing.

During a memorial service for Mr Floyd held on Wednesday in Abuja, the duo of NiDCOM Chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the Director-General, NCAC, Olusegun Runsewe, called for justice for George Flyod and other blacks against racial discrimination and police brutality.

“This gathering is against violence, brutality and racial discrimination. We call for respect and dignity for all races. Never again should we be made to witness what we saw on the streets of Minneapolis, the slow murder of an individual by a uniformed police officer,” Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said.

Mr Runsewe who is also the president World Council of Arts, African Region, said African culture has great respect for the sanctity of human life and detests violence. He said;

“We are joining the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission to ask for justice for Late George Floyd and to propagate the message of peace all over the world.

“We believe that all men are created equal and have inalienable rights among which are rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.”