In their books, this was not suppose to happen. After all, these are a set of lazy youths with specialities in watching the Big Brother shows, Netflixing and keeping up with Premier League matches. The worst we could do is rant on social media and forge hashtags that withers away as soon as they are created.
But alas, there comes a time in the life of a nation when it stands at the crossroads of history and must choose which way to go. And as Nelson Mandela once said, ‘The time comes in the life of any nation when there remains only two choices - submit or fight.'
To be clear, the call to end police brutality is a call canvassing for human life. Life being at the base of the fundamental human rights, to which no one should be denied. On a personal level, I will always cringe at the sight of police officers from a distance while driving. Tales of friends and family members who have been at the receiving end of police abuse and brutality flood my mind. The disturbing reality that a young man of my age is first dubbed a criminal at first sight, and it is my burden to proof otherwise, that is if I ever get that chance. This starking reality is troubling and honestly, haunts the mind.
As the #EndSars protests organically grows, and snowballs into a movement, we can all agree that we are on the verge of something. We the young people have woken up from our long and quite frankly, relentless slumber. The rascality and abuse of men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad might have been the trigger but it is foolhardy to suggest that the demands of millions of youths across the nation is confined to just that subject. It has been said, and not without reason, that part of the outcry we see at these protests are results of a long bottled up angst and frustration of many young people with the state of the polity, and particularly with the ruling class. It was about time. The ruling class in Nigeria have never rated the young people, never mind we consist of about 70% of the entire population. The protests lends credence to the truism that without people, there is no power, and nothing is more potent than an idea whose time has come. Moreso, a people who have discovered how much power they wield. The stories of youth audacity, fearlessness, organization and empathy for one another over the last few weeks of protests have been remarkable. Simply remarkable.
As the protests rages on, the big question is what next? No one can fully answer this for sure at this point. However, what is beyond any reasonable doubt is that we the people will only leave the streets (for now) when we can see cogent, fast tracked and sincere actions on the subject of police brutality. The possibility remains that the protests might snowball into other demands for change (and this is not a bad thing in itself). The bigger picture though has to be the capture of political power at all levels by young people. The general elections comes around barely two years from now, and it is not too early to begin the process of floating that youth centric party with true patriots with functioning brain and above board character. Beyond the clamour to end policy brutality, this should be the lasting legacy of the protests. Alas, we might well be rewriting the Nigerian dream but we must realize that the journey is still dauntingly far, and only an unfettered focus, corresponding actions, unity of purpose and a selfless character will help us gain traction. Let no one also be under any form of illusion. The current ruling class will not relinquish power without a fight.
This is a great time to be alive as a young person in Nigeria. In a nation where finding positives is like clutching on slipping straws, these are truly interesting and exciting times.
