Chapter 4. Section 39. Right To Freedom Of Expression
When I saw the prompt for #HL-w10e3, I knew I needed to first check out what the Constitution of my country says about the matter, and technically the word “freedom of speech” was never indicated but the word expression is used.
The expression could mean a lot of things, it could mean the way your face is looking towards a situation, the way you convey your emotions either by looks or utterances, and in some cases vocally by speech.
When I saw this I now totally understand why we are shut down at any slight utterance or speech made that does not favor the government or anyone in power. There is no clear writing of what expression entails in the constitution and anyone can choose to bend it as they please.
Like the Twitter takedown that happened for months, just because the youth decided to “SORO SOKE”( speak up) using the platform best known to make them heard and seen and hopefully provide solutions to the cry and so many instances that have happened over the last few months that involved shutting people down just because they decided to Aire their opinion about serious matters that concerns them.
At this point, with all reasonable doubt, I have come to a conclusion that
SPEECH IS NOT FREE.
The phrase freedom of speech is limited, it has its boundaries because as much as we are free to say what will want, on whatever platform, we are still not supposed to say anything that will offend politicians, some religions, gender, and different group of people.
I understand there is something called HATE SPEECH which is why the imaginary limit was created in the first place to avoid hurting others in the name of opinion, but this limit has now been extended to even speech made to fight for our basic human rights.
Now one gender has the right to speak about some issues, and the other gender is not allowed to even breathe a word about some matters, and for this, I won't even blame the country or our Constitution, I blame the family unit.
The problem starts with the family unit, training a child and not giving them access to speak up when they see something wrong has been our biggest problem. We raise a child letting them know speaking up is bad, no wonder people witness atrocities like rape, kidnap, killings and theft but would never speak up because they have been wired to remain quiet and all times.
In most cases I won't even blame our parents for keeping us quiet, I understand that in situations like that one must consider the consequences of speaking up. People die for just speaking up or giving their opinions.
image source
Take the case of Dave #justicefordave, that was allegedly killed because of 100 naira change from a bike man, it would interest you to know that he wasn't even the passenger that owe this money, he was only nearby and decided to come to the aid of his colleagues when his opinion about the issue lead to his death, similar issue with Deborah in sokoto.
It is sad but it is our reality, so let's be careful with our speech and opinion, and think about those words very carefully before we express them.