3 Nigerians on the #ENDSARS movement, LEADERSHIP and Hopes For Its People
THIS JOURNAL BELONGS TO
IGEE OKAFOR
Combating Violence, Mental Maltreatment and Loss.
After a long history of various communities being marginalized, to be able to move together as one in awareness, education and action every time we come up against injustice remains a groundbreaking and uplifting act.
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Tear gas, gun shots, live ammunition against its own people - It’s De Ja Vu all over again with the veins of the make up stemming from a misuse of law and order from the highest authorities.
As I continue to reflect upon the #ENDSARS movement currently happening in Nigeria, just months following the intensities of the Black Lives Matter movement, it is fear that comes to the forefront. Fear of what it might mean that years later, through an extensive history of internal, external and global turmoil, here we are dealing with the SAME problems.
Specifically in the case of the #ENDSARS movement identifying with the Nigerian youth myself, it pains me to learn about the targeted terrorization from the police department and the lack of support from older generations who are supposed to serve as a pinnacle of empowerment.
Witnessing the movement’s developments through social media and the news, I cannot help but respond to the same moral themes my fellow Nigerians were fighting against - violence, mental maltreatment, and loss. With each realized suffering for me, follows measurements of failed progressions in Nigeria’s history, and a personal agitation stemming from what the future of the country would look like if we kept getting fed unsound promises.
Photo: Simi Vijay
Photo: Simi Vijay
Interestingly enough, with the visibility of protests that continue to take place in favor of disbanding SARS, the movement has proliferated beyond Nigerian grounds like never before. With the mainstream media recognizing the Nigerian youth specifically for being pioneers of this particular movement, it was in my interest to stay educated and understand why, directly from Nigerian youth experiencing the movement firsthand.
In times like this, where the masses can only do what is in their power to aid the situation for the betterment of the people, it serves as a beacon of light to see young Nigerians taking action and driving change. After a long history of various communities being marginalized, to be able to move together as one in awareness, education and action every time we come up against injustice remains a groundbreaking and uplifting act.
I caught up with Dénola Grey, Nigerian media personality and Actor; Adebayo Oke-Lawal, founder and designer of fashion brand, Orange Culture; and Folu Oyefeso, blogger - three Nigerian men who are living in the midst of the movement and demanding action with their own expositions of cognizance, accountability accords and progressions.
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We’ve Been Conditioned To Be Our Own Government For A Long Time. On Top of That, They’ve Made Security an Issue. So, We Will Be Addressing Security First.
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- Folu Oyefeso, Blogger
For those who have no idea what the #ENDSARS movement is about, how would you articulate it?
It’s a stand taken by the Nigerian youth. It started as a campaign against the brutality of the police unit, SARS. It has morphed into a movement to overhaul corruption in all aspects of the Nigerian system.
Have you seen any patterns of what this brutality might have stemmed from?
It’s a system of corruption that starts at the top. Law enforcement officers are not getting paid enough because it’s all embezzled there. So, these guys have to cut corners and extort to survive.
This system of corruption has been a problem in Nigeria for so many years. What do you think sparked this particular call out and do you think the youth had a major role to play in it?
It’s a combination of different things. The youth are stubborn, we aren’t as meek as the previous generation. A lot of us have experienced other countries so we know how things are supposed to be. We don’t get light (power), education or healthcare. On top of that, they’ve made security an issue. We know we are brilliant people, so we have our heads together and are making strategic moves to balance the power system. We share knowledge, tactics, morale, information on social media and we leave nobody behind. We’ve been conditioned to be our own government for a long time.
Are there any ways people outside of Nigerian communities can be allies in this movement?
We ask that people lend us their voices as we take back power for the people. We are also happy to collect donations on feministcoalition2020.com.
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Before any other Title,
I am a citizen and part of the Vibrant Youth of Nigeria
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- Dénola Grey, ACTOR/MEDIA PERSONALITY
What’s your personal involvement with the #ENDSARS movement?
Before any other title, I am a citizen and part of the vibrant youth of Nigeria. We are all emotionally, mentally and physically invested in this movement as it affects us all nationwide; regardless of religion, class, and occupation. We, the youth, all want the same thing. We want an accountable and transparent government that listens to its citizens and takes real action in bringing justice to corrupt and violent police officers. Specifically, the officers in the Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS). We want real police reform. We want accountability of where the funds meant to supper these establishments go to. We don’t just want audio performances or press releases. We want real, visible change.
Personally, I am using all my platforms and some of my personal resources to create awareness about what is going on in the country. I have been on ground protesting for about five days. When I am not physically at the protests, I take the cause online, using my socials and finding ways to support those who are out protesting. We are pulling resources together and mobilizing it all to serve the greater good. It’s truly a moment in history.
How is this a progression of the movement in ways Nigeria has not seen in the past?
The youth has long been demonized and prejudged (which is actually the reason for the high rate of youth killings by the hands of SARS officers) even more so by our own president who has, on record, referred to us as the “lazy youth”. We have not been given a real seat at the table or a voice so we created our own structures in less than a month. We have created these structures independent of the government to demand reform and change.
This kind of synchronization has not been witnessed by our parents or the government before. I have to commend the Feminist Coalition for being one of the main supporters of the movement. Through the help of donations nationwide, they have set up an efficient system that has taken care of protesters.
In your opinion, are there any real ways supporters of the movement who reside outside of Nigeria can really impact the movement?
100%. The world has become a global village. We all came to America’s aid in the light of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. A lot of us used our platforms to highlight what was going on in America. We need the same. It seems like our government responds best to international embarrassment so, it’s best that the whole world knows what’s going on in Nigeria right now. After all, we are the most populous black nation in the world with a number of over 200 million people. Everyone, pull up.
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We want justice for for Chi Ebuka,
Ifeoma, Aneka, Rita and many more lives
innocently ended and we want it now.
”
- ADEBAYO OKE-LAWAL, FASHION DESIGNER
How would you articulate the #ENDSARS movement?
First off, SARS is the special antirobbery squad created by the police force to tackle armed robbery, kidnapping and all other criminal incidences but for some reason since its inception in 1992, due to huge failures on the end of our government, this squad has instead spent a lot of its recent years terrorizing, brutalizing, raping and killing innocent young people with no repercussion whatsoever. These men have done said crimes and have gone absolutely free. This is why the #ENDSARS campaign has begun.
We are fighting for our lives as young people - for our freedom and to not be killed by these men. We are fighting so that the lives lost will not be in vain. We are fighting so that these criminals will be brought to justice. We want justice for for Chi Ebuka, Ifeoma, Aneka, Rita and many more lives innocently ended and we want it now. We have been promised four times in a row that SARS would be disbanded and every year they’ve come back stronger and more violent.
Have you experienced any issues with SARS first hand?
I was stopped once on my way to Ikeja. They went through everything - my phone, my messages, my accounts and my photographs. They accused me of everything you can imagine. I felt so violated but I knew I had to comply out of fear of being brutally attacked or killed. There’s the helplessness you feel when they hold onto you and at that point, you don’t know if you’re going to leave and in what condition. I am thankful it did not get violent but I cannot say the same for some friends of mine.
Wow, I am so sorry to hear that. In your opinion, has there been any positive change or progression since your experience even with the protests considered?
Panel of enquiry and restitution has supposedly started. The men who committed some of these killings have been called in for judgment. We are waiting to hear more and we are awaiting actual proof. The 5 for 5 needs to be worked on entirely.
Arrested protesters have been released but all still in theory, we are still waiting for proof.
I am just so glad for groups like the feminist coalition and many more who have really helped amplify our voices. People like Aisha Yesufu, Feyi Kemi Abudu and many more young people have come together to really ensure that the conversation is being geared in the right direction. I’m just so proud of our generation and the brave steps we are taking to stand protest despite the attacks in response.