THE NEW ERA

It's been almost a month I last blogged. This is because a lot has been happening in Nigeria. It's been a defining month for Nigerians and a period bringing forth unusual events. On 1st October, 2020, Nigeria clocked 60 years as an independent nation. Despite it being 60 years of being free from the power and oppression of colonialism, the country is yet to show the world what it takes to be an independent nation. Currently, it's been a month of battle for the citizens of Nigeria; trying to break from the shackles of corruption that has eaten deep into the system. For 12 days, the Nigerian youths came out in massive numbers to protest against the SARS (Special-Anti-Robbery Squad) unit of the Nigerian Police Force and also against Police brutality in Nigeria. In between these 12 days of protest, the same Police they are protesting against has killed some protesters, the government has sponsored thugs to attack protesters in order to keep them silent - having some protesters injured and some killed.  This protest has taken the attention of people across the world and the eyes of the international world is currently on Nigeria and the outcome of the current protest.

On Tuesday, 20th October, 2020, the governor of Lagos state Babajide Sanwo-Olu imposed a curfew at about some minutes to 12pm in which curfew was to take effect from 4pm on that day. Looking at how busy Lagos state is, it is very impossible for you to have everyone indoor on or before 4pm. I dare to say Lagos is the busiest state in Nigeria. But considering the peculiarity of the state, the governor later moved the start of the curfew to 9pm. On this same day, men who were in the Nigerian Army uniform directly shot at protesters at the Lekki toll gate, Lagos at about 7pm. This was a deliberate act and all speculation is said that the Nigerian government have a hand in this massacre. Prior to this massacre, there were indications that the cameras were removed in which pictures of those who came to take them away was circulated. Also, the toll gate is a place that's constantly lit up but on that day unfortunately, it was getting dark and the lights went off. Also, it was said that the network around that area went off which was to disable the ability to make use of a proper network service. Linking this to the massacre, it is obvious that the government carefully planned it. Following the curfew, a lot of looting, arson and destruction of properties has been happening. A peaceful protest has turned into what no one envisaged it to be. We are back to the days of what we learnt in Nigerian history.

Amidst all of these, the President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari has been silent and refused to addressed his citizens. Thursday, 22 October, 2020, the President eventually broke his silence and gave a speech that was empty as long as his citizens are concerned. The president refused to acknowledge the urgent happenings in the country and gave no credence to the death of peaceful protesters particularly the Lekki massacre that has said to take lives - having some of the dead bodies carted away by the soldiers and leaving so many injured. He further shunned the international community and requested that they stay out of the affairs of Nigeria at the moment while also threatening protesters and trampling on their constitutional right.

Security in Nigeria has been overly downward and all threats made by the government at the protesters proves abortive. Despite having evidences and videos of almost all the atrocities of the government against peaceful protesters, they are in all forms trying to discredit them. The Nigerian government is evil and see themselves as people who are above the law. They feel they are in power and nobody should question their authority, they are tyrants hiding under the umbrella of democracy and are complete wolves in sheep skin. They are serving tyrannical leaders and not servant leaders.

This is a time of awakening for Nigerians; the youths are awake and the part of the second stanza of the national anthem that says "Help our youths the truth to know" is currently at work. Nigerian youths know the truth now and can categorically see the corruption and bad governance as a challenge to having the Nigeria that we all clamour for. I want to encourage every single Nigerian to believe in this country; this nation is ours and we will fight for it and make it one that we can be proud of. This is a new era for you, me and Nigeria at large.