It is now in Nigeria`s history, probably written in blood, the most controversial protest in the country tagged the #EndSARS protest. This was a reaction to the abuse of power by the Federal government agency, Special Anti Robbery Squad. This protest sparked a chain reaction of events in the country, from allegations of murder to allegations of hoarding palliatives and more.
It was youths vs. the federal government. An unrelenting generation of youths held the country sway for weeks; a list of demands was produced top of which was the disbandment of SARS. This was carried on in paper; this means there was an audio disbandment of SARS which was not carried out in real life.
To this effect, there were rumors of another major protest for the ending of SARS, with the target being the Lekki toll gate. The government; once between twice shy, issued a warning for the protesters to desist.
However, the act of a peaceful protest is a right to the citizen of Nigeria as recognized by the Constitution. Thus, the Nigerian youths still embarked on a peaceful protest led by the famous Comedian; Mr. Macaroni, only to be met by stiff resistance from the members of Federal security apparatus.
Today, we discuss the effect of Mr. Macaroni and the other protesters being manhandle, on the workings of the Nigerian society. I mean the videos we saw, was a gross violation of human right.
In Nigeria, rights are violated without consequences; in fact the idea of justice is far fetched when. The abuse of powers is quite overwhelming, that sometimes one can not help but wonder where this country is heading towards.
Due to the above factors, there is an awakening of the new generation; the youths. A cry for a revolution fills the air.
At the fore front of this somewhat revolution are leading entertainers. These guys stir their followers not to suffer and smile, but to make moves for the betterment of their future. One of such entertainers is Mr. Macaroni. He rallied round fans, supporters and like minds to protest the continuous abuse of powers by the Federal security apparatus, SARS.
Unfortunately, Nigeria dealt a great blow to the bubbling comedian, his attempts towards ensuring a better future for his generation to come in their mother land, Nigeria was frustrated. He was harassed by security officials, on the grounds that he broke the 50 persons COVID-19 limit rule, by organising the protest. And the question is why will someone be harassed to such great extent, even if he committed an offence?
A murderer is presumed innocent, unless proven guilty by the court of law. This point to the fact that the police are not meant to harass any one on whatsoever grounds, but then this is Nigeria. Who is going to question the police, who is going to hold them accountable for harassing a bona fide citizen of the country? Why is it that corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of this country? Why is that unaccountability and abuse of power has become the order of the day?
The Nigerian society bleeds from these vices.
Individuals suffer from these vices. It was the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest that people became aware of the sufferings of the Nigerian youths and the Nigerian mother. The idea of a son being held by a SARS official was heart breaking on its own to a mother. I remember one instance when SARS took a young boy because he was looking fresh. He had just left his mother’s shop when he was “picked”. When the mother heard this, she was rolling on the ground. She could not be calmed down. She was just shouting and screaming. I mean if SARS were to pick you, you were in deep soup, literarily. This is what Nigerians are experiencing; this is what inspired Mr. Macaroni, this is what inspired the fallen youths of the October 20th, 2020. This is what is inspiring we the youths, to take actions, to fight for a future; our future.
Luckily, Mr. Macaroni has been released, however it is very much annoying the behaviour of the Nigerian security outfit; a video was released of them (the security outfits) squeezing Mr. Macaroni and his supposed cohorts in the back of a boss. Now let us follow the story, Mr. Macaroni was apprehended for breaking COVID-19 protocols; he gathered a crowd of over fifty persons.
However, when arrested, Mr. Macaroni and his cohorts were squeezed together in the back of a bus. Apart from being human degrading, it is actually a violation of COVID-19 protocols, a law the said security apparatus was meant to enforce. A very laughable situation, that the enforcers are now the same breakers of the law.
The video goes a long way to show how laws are influenced to favour one party, giving the notion that some persons are above the law.
Mind you, I do not doubt the existence of corona virus, in fact we affirm its presence. But don’t you find it funny that during the first wave of coronavirus, COVID-19 was violated by the said government during the election periods in Edo State and Ondo State. They said there was the adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols, when rallies even reported on national TV showed otherwise. Was anyone sanctioned? Was anyone harassed or arrested? No, this was because the government was involved.
However, when it comes to a demand for a change, a better change, individuals are arrested and beaten in the case. Thugs are paid to sabotage protests. In such situations, the Nigerian government proves the statement that desperate times call for desperate measures.
There are a lot of solutions to this problem; like better representation, an enforcements of rights of citizen in the strict sense, and the accountability and effective power check of security apparatus. But then, it seems it will take decades as the government is turning a deaf ear to the dire happenings in the country.
I conclude by dropping a message for Nigeria, in my piece dear Nigeria.
Dear Nigeria,
You seem to be boasting a lot with your past
Your present, surely you have cast.
You act without the future in sight
Looking for greener pastures, however they have already taken flight.
Nigeria, your politicians say “I remember when Naira was higher than the dollar”,
Now, your citizens can’t earn a living even from jobs called white collar.
Bribery and corruption have taken over your political corridors,
While starvation and poverty disarray your future governors.
You brag a lot about past heroes,
Now it seems its a story of heroes to zeroes
Bragging a lot about past feats,
It seems you are no longer standing on your feet.
Arise from your slumber, Nigeria.
Let your mockers once again hold your acts as worthy criteria.
You would once again be great
However, its while you have children to hold your enemies at the gate.
I pray one day I can undoubtedly say with an ear to ear grin
That I’m a proud Nigerian.
Till then dear Nigeria,
I hail thee.
