By Geraldine Onyenweaku
The events of the past few weeks; the #ENDSARS protests and the subsequent hijack of the protests by people suspected to be hoodlums, is to say the least pathetic. What started as a very peaceful, well- meaning and surprisingly well organized protest turned into violence, on the scale that has never been witnessed before in the country. Protesting youths were killed, others died in the ensuing rampage, jailbirds broke lose, shops were looted, ware houses where COVID-19 palliatives were stored were looted – mayhem was unleashed in most parts of the Southern Nigeria, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The milk has spilled, and it is time to retreat and ask ourselves how we got ourselves into this position in the first place. We must tell the ‘TRUTH’, and the whole truth. At the bottom of it all is gross mismanagement of the nation’s economy by the political class, resulting in untold economic hardship on the people. The political class has overtime disconnected themselves from the people they claim to serve, instead they are serving only themselves and their cohorts. While those in power, their families and friends feed fat on the national wealth, they leave nothing for the mass majority of the people who wallow in abject poverty. This has been the trend over the years since Nigeria got her independence from Britain on the 1st of October 1960, sixty years ago.
It was heart rending watching various videos on television and social media on the looting that took place and some of them were really touching. I saw a people whose lives have been reduced to nothing by their so called leaders. It was a clear situation of “a hungry man is an angry man’. The people were undoubtedly hungry and angry with their leaders. Like a caged Lion, they finally found the opportunity they were looking for to vent their spleen. And unrestrained they were in doing just that.
While not ignoring the ugly part of the whole situation; the wanton destruction of lives and properties, the arson and burning down of edifices and assets of the State government put there to alleviate the plights of the common man, thereby only succeeding in worsening the very mess they are trying to get out of, I am of the opinion that the leadership style adopted by the elites and political class gave rise to the situation. This, however, calls for a thorough investigation as many, no doubt, would have seized this opportunity to carry out their vendetta on their political opponents. This is, however, left to the men of the intelligence unit to unravel.
Beyond all of these, I saw something really touchy about these men and women who went on rampage in the cities of Nigeria. Forgive me though, while not condoning such acts, I saw love and care for one another that the politicians have over the years failed to extend to these people. For instance, in one of the videos, I saw people actually helping others to cart away food item from the COVID-19 ware houses. There was the video of the raiding of the Oba of Lagos Palace – Be mindful that while I condemn such acts in its entirety- I was most touched when I saw innocent children taking a bath at the Oba’s pool, and the man who was speaking over the tape was encouraging them to come take a swim, a bath in the pool. To these kids, this is a luxury they had longed for but couldn’t get, because their parents cannot afford it for them; they are too busy dealing with the business of survival. And for these kids, the man or ‘tout’ who has opened this vista of recreation for them is their hero, irrespective of how you intend to brand him, a tout or messiah.
What is the message here: In every thunder cloud there is a silver lining. The so called looters have taught a lesson in leadership, like it or not. And the lesson is: we must learn to look out for one another. This idea of winner takes all doesn’t hold, not even in the jungle. You may dare to ask me, who is the real ‘tout’ here. There is an adage that says, the hood does not make the priest. Simply because you are privileged to be clothed in fine linens does not make you better than the man in rags. The difference between the real man and tout is in the heart. We must learn that principles and not prosperity is important in every human relationship.
Therefore, the events of the past few weeks are a wake- up call for all of us; for parents, first and foremost, we are all parents, for community leaders and for politicians to begin to do the needful. What we saw being displayed to the whole world last week is who we are- forget all the pretenses. While the leaders are busy looting our collective wealth, the masses are doing the same thing at their own level. We are all to blame, for remember, while you are pointing one finger at someone, the rest of the fingers are pointing back at you. We have failed as parents, teachers and leaders to train and show our children and the led the right examples.” All laws produce culture”, says Myles Monroe. And when leaders display an attitude of impunity, people are bound to accept it as being normal and the culture of impunity subsequently becomes the norm.
The event of the past few weeks is certainly a watershed and a defining moment in our lives. Every one of us must roll up our sleeves and get to work, whether in our homes, offices, schools, communities, local or national sphere. Even our religious organizations are not left behind. We must begin to discountenance ill- gotten wealth. Begin to encourage and reward hard-work, speak the truth, be sincere to all intents and purposes and above all show empathy and love. There is so much to be done, and the time to start is right’ now’. It is not rocket science like they say. It is all about being sincere and honest in your dealings and service to people. Understanding the real meaning of the word “service’; making others happy, putting others interests before yours. Is that really so hard? Peace can only exist in an atmosphere of love, equity, justice and fairness.
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