The best way forward after ending SARS is avoid the mistakes of SARS

The story was once told of a man who told his driver that there was information doing the rounds that the

world was about to end and to the man's surprise, his driver wanted the end to come that moment.

With respect to the end SARS protest, it is important to note that a protest is a God given right that can be used when pushed to the wall.

 I was worried when words went round that fraudsters were fueling the protest. The truth that is no secret is that there are many things to protest against.

That the protest is continuing is not contrived but the result of frustration at several things. The best way to go is for government to recognise this and be ready to accede as the demands rain down for rain they must.

The worst decision that can come from government is to attempt the use of force. Any attempt to use force will spiral out of control because many people are like the driver who feels that it were better the world came to an end.

Finally at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 one of Nigeria's medal hopefuls, Roland Omoruyi lost out by knockout in the final round of a three round bout, that he had well under control. He fell to the proverbial sucker punch.

I do not know if it was the idea of Omoruyi's opponent or the opponent's coach but in the final round with Omoruyi well in the lead, the trailing boxer just came out swinging wildly and with seconds to go, one of the blows landed on Omoruyi's jaw and Omoruyi collapsed like a sack of potatoes and the bout was over.

In this the government should beware, he that is deprived and harassed has nothing to fear.