Hope Through the Long Walk

It has been a long walk, within a short time of awakening in the hearts of concerned Nigerian youths. Beyond tribe, religion, sex, class, career and ethnicity, they all rose with one voice in their different capacities, to the emancipation of freedom from the society that has victimized them.

The focus was the popular wing of the Nigeria Police Force, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). 

SARS, now a metaphor, for all the atrocities under the Nigerian government, was agitated against with hashtags such as #EndSARS #EndBadGovernance #EndPoliceBrutality. 

These hashtags moved from the social media to the streets as peaceful protests, roadblocks, prayer walks, global awareness, took form among the youths.

 

Image by ARKore Arts

The government promised some reforms, among which was disbanding SARS and its replacement with SWAT. But, was this enough to quench the protests? No! The youths have experienced so much of empty promises made by the government to give in to such cajolery. 

These peaceful protests took a drastic turn as peaceful protesters were shot at, at the Lekki Toll gate in Lagos on the 20th of October, 2020. 

Who gave the order?

The protest was thus, hijacked by hoodlums, which resulted in the destruction of public and private properties, belonging to the political elites.

After a lot of grievances expressed both in and outside Nigeria, the president made his speech, which instead of soothing the wounds, brought more disappointment with his nonchalant approach to the pressing issues, such as the Lekki Toll-Gate Massacre. 

Should we then lose all the momentum we’ve built?

Or, the positive outcomes envisaged on the long run, the prayers and prophesies said, and all the positive vibes just because of the heartless reaction of our leaders to our pressing demands and rights?

I will urge us not to delve into laxity and faintness of purpose. Let’s forge on with unity of purpose and passion.

The blood of our heroes in time past, at Lekki and other places must not be in vain.

Our Flag Will Fly Again!