The fifth and sixth line of our old National anthem says, "The labor of our heroes past shall never be in vain", although the anthem has been replaced by the current one, the wording old National anthem would question the state of Nigeria. What exactly did our hero make their struggle for independence and freedom worth it?
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A country that fought tooth and nail to gain her independence still lives like a slave in captivity, the state of the country now causes depression to the average Nigerian, even though we are regarded as the "suffering and smiling nation" because of our resilient and courageous spirit in handling all that life throws at us; hmm....there is a limit to what we can take. While we hope for better days, it is sad and disheartening to feel helpless or incapacitated.
Seen as a country blessed by so many numerous mineral resources yet its citizens live like beggars due to bad governance and the insensitivity of its leaders. Leaders who want to be recognized and respected for their positions and authority, forget that leadership lies in service.
It is no longer news that Nigerians would be protesting nationwide on the 1st of August 2024, it's been 15 months since the inception of this present administration and things have only taken another dimension of untold hardship and pain from the last administration. Come that day, Nigerians would be seen and heard demanding their rights but unfortunately what always seems to be a peaceful protest usually turns out to be a bloody protest; innocent lives are wasted and a country that is meant to protect its citizens turns against her.
In 2020, October precisely just about three weeks after National Independence Day, Nigerian youths took to the streets to protest against the harassment, humiliation, and incessant killings from the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS), no doubt that the rate of fraudulent activity, robbery, and cybercrimes was rapid at that time but the constant bullying and killing of innocent youths was a thing to worry about. Yes, the youths came out in their numbers to express their concerns and fears and instead of getting the attention they needed, many of them were sent back home lifeless and injured.
A country where its security personnel cares less about the safety of lives and properties of its citizens, a country where the innocent is guilty and the guilty is innocent because he is connected and from an influential background, a country where the tears and anguish of the masses mean nothing to the elites. A country where the people have no voice and to dare to speak against injustice is to pay the ultimate price. A country where its citizens live in hopelessness, waiting for a messiah every four years.
A lot of discussions are ongoing about the protest but what bothers me more is the fact that, what seems like a peaceful protest against bad governance and policies not favorable to the masses may be the end of some good-hearted Nigerians; lives may be wasted and properties destroyed; causing a tumult or uprising in the country.
In normal circumstances, there is a standard method of communication from the local level to the state level and the federal level; but those entrusted with such responsibility have failed, they are more concerned about accumulating wealth and properties for themselves than sharing in the masses plight, during elections they make endless promises and convince us on why they should be given the opportunity but after that not much is seen or heard from them.
A lot of Nigerians are leaving the country for other countries, not because the countries are perfect or doing so well but for the sole reason that even as slaves in other countries, they are valued than being a slave in your own home. How terrible?
The question I keep asking myself is when Nigerians fight for their right and lose their lives in the process is it worth it? How can our leaders sleep well at night knowing that this can be averted? Do we mean nothing to them? Are we some bunch of specimens used for practicals? Would the efforts of our past heroes be futile? At least I know, that our heroes embraced rejection and death so that we may have a better future; like a mother sacrificing all that she has so that her children may become great. And then she realized that her sacrifices were not worth it.
If we protest, would our voices be heard, and if we lose our lives in the process would agitations be meant? Shall we fight like our heroes and yet fight in vain? Yes, something needs to be done but we must learn to tread carefully; for wisdom is profitable to direct.
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