Season of Protests

Nigerian youths doing the black power salute in protest

Image: @ayanfeolarinde

There appears to be an awakening of sorts in Nigeria. It’s not that we have not always had a keen sense of awareness but we are more ready - it s
eems - to take our collective destiny in our own hands. There is no stronger manifestation of this than the current agitation against police brutality, carried out by mostly young people.

Nigeria has and remains a nation of such great potential, with lots of amazingly brilliant and talented people. There’s no doubt that its people are its super power; what magic we would create, if we could only get out of our own way.

This majestic nation with a rich history and abundant resources appears to be stuck in a rut. The curse of political leadership has the nation locked in a vicious cycle of malevolence and deficiency. We are nowhere near what we could be.

But we seem to be gradually unlocking the power inherent in bringing our voices together in one accord, to clear away the blockades to our progress, so that we can then begin the real work of creating the society we truly desire; the people we know we can be.

This may be difficult to achieve without confronting ourselves and being honest with what holds us back. But we seem to be off to a good start. If we can channel this spirit of uprising to ensure that the debate to secure posterity remains as urgent as it can ever be and we push the powers that be to notice us; then we can be certain that the walls of stagnation that have stifled the sweet fragrance of our true potential, will come tumbling down.

We are no strangers to protests in Nigeria, so what makes this one any different? Greatness beckons and its voice rings very loud in our souls. The idea of a prosperous Nigeria that is fair for all is truly invigorating. No one can answer for the other and there is much work to be done. As the saying goes, ‘Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come’.

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