Sometime last year October there was a nationwide protest in the country to end SARS(special anti-robbery squad).
A group of people meant to reduce the crime rate and help in curbing robbery in the country. However, they used their powers to harass young people and took a lot of lives disguising their actions as legal.
Nigerians within the country and all over the world were furious about the problems this group was creating and then decided that a peaceful protest be arranged to hold on a certain date in October.
The protest held for a couple of days shutting a lot of places down. The online world also contributed its fair share. The whole world knew and contributed to the protest.
During the course of the protest in Lagos, while protesters were sleeping, some armed men which were not SARS officers opened fire on protesters and a lot of lives were lost in this process. It was a red-letter day in the life of Nigerians.
Fast forward to 2021...
Since the beginning of 2021, the upsurge in insecurity has increased and a lot of kidnapping has been going on in the country, killings here and there. Some parts of the country had to impose a curfew on its citizens. Also, the economic crisis is currently terrible as evidenced by the value of the Naira, and the cost of things.
Some sects of the country want a division. The so-called Biafrans. Others want the current president to step down from his post since he is not capable of ruling the people.
In the light of this, different groups came together and decided to hold another protest on national democracy day connoting that there is no need for the celebration as things have gone worse.
So a protest was scheduled today and the protest did not yield anything as uniformed men were there to stop any form of protest or peaceful gathering.
My question remains
Is protest the way forward?
pixabayProtesting works in certain parts of the world where people know their rights and stand for them. it also works in places where systems are put in place to help the masses. However, in Nigeria, the right of the people have been taken and the government is not moved by such actions.
I feel protesting is not the way forward as there are a lot of things that are stopping Nigerians from moving ahead.
The problem of Nigeria starts with the people. If everyone can decide to do the right thing in his/her space, The country will move forward.
An average Nigerian youth will confidently tell you he is not interested in politics and the power in Nigeria. I mean this is where the problem starts from. This is why old men occupy most of the positions in Nigeria.
In the last election, people were bribed with 4 dollars to vote the current government and they took it without knowing the consequence. How won't they take it when they are not interested in the government?
An average Nigerian who is employed by the government doesn't take his job seriously as he should and yet complains of a change of government.
All those clamoring for a change in government will do the same if not worse.
All I am saying is that it all boils down to us, if we want a good country, we should start from our household.
I will like to end this post with a famous quote
Be the change you want to see in the world.
Thank you for reading.
Oh, I didn't even know the protest didn't hold.
Thanks for the update.
Youths are not into politics because of our failed system. You won't blame them.
You know how bloody election is in Nigeria. The youths aren't ready to play dirty.
Is this enough reason not to be involved?
It's not. But why aren't you involved?
I am trying my best where I am already.
That's a nice one
I have been following this because of the friends I’ve made at hive and all I learned about Nigeria here.
I have been in a few protests, even saw some violent ones as well as some that were so much fun. The ones in power will always find a way to make them turn violent if they see a threat. It doesn’t matter what laws they claim to uphold. Usually in westernized countries, they will find ways to turn everyone against each other or stage counter protests. Once they start bloodying people, that’s when I think it’s time to go home. You can’t change the world if you are dead.
If someone becomes a martyr it may lead to change but I don’t think anyone should have to do that. It’s such a tragic thing to see. Often times it doesn’t lead to change though.
The best strategy I think is to protest up until the point that people feel they agree, and then take that energy into the communities and daily life. The ideal situation is to make the policing feel redundant because people take care of each other.
I think building a sense of community and acceptance (not just tolerance) is the most productive way to change things. I hope the protests are causing people to realize this!
I am excited for Nigeria’s future, I only hope this terrible transition period can end without more bloodshed.
Protest may not have any effect in this country, once you come out to protest, they come for your live.
They have the arms power and authority while protesters themselves are armless.
The government has been passed down to certain group of persons alone and they want to keep this and pass it down to their generation.
If only there was a strategy to break that trend and include youth and selfless people in government.
This is the important thing to note. And I don't think current Nigeria is one to die for.
There will definitely be bloodshed either on the part of the old ones or the youths. The Older ones are not ready to step down and if the youths decide to come against them they will be dead because they are the ones in power.
Hi bhoa,
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I hope thing turn out for good.
If only our votes will count next time. Eve if the youths wants to engage in politics is there room for that? those old folks up there will always ridge election in their favors.
I have never seen people hungry for power that they are so ready to kill anyone on their path.
There is room for it trust me.. Even if it is to play loyal till you get an appointment.
The most important thing is that when you get there, you try to do the right thing.
The main thing is doing the right thing. Drops of water will eventually add up to something
That's true.
Thank you for stopping by. I truly appreciate