Tag: Protests

Change, Politics

#EndSARS: 365 Days from October the Twentieth

Jilomes

French writer Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr declared in 1849 that “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. From a literal interpretation, if things that are changing end up being like the former state, how much more when no attempt is made at creating a change, or when such change, though promised, takes up residence in a large void filled with disclaimed promises. One year after the popular protests tagged #EndSARS, has anything really changed with Nigerian policing?

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Lekki Toll Gate Massacre
Change, Politics

#EndSARS: A Nation in Need of Healing

Jilomes

“It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’ I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone”

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

On 1 October 2020, Nigeria marked 60 years of independence from British colonial rule. Unknown to merry makers and observers, barely a week later, a sequence of events would lead to young Nigerians demanding independence from a faux democratic elite symbolised by the infamous police unit, the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS). Within two weeks, events have evolved from peaceful protests led by an educated base to unmatched rioting and looting led by the uneducated thugs we love to fear.

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Politics

American Democracy: Are the Mighty Fallen?

Jilomes

This is one of those times when you feel something does not concern you, but closer look discredits that feeling, as you realise you are very much concerned. If America were to be a project, it would be right to say that everyone on earth, American or non-American, is a stakeholder in Project America. As stakeholders, even if we may not have the high impact of American citizens, our interest makes it allowable to speak on issues affecting what is inarguably the greatest nation on earth. Continue reading “American Democracy: Are the Mighty Fallen?” →

Change, Politics

When Constituted Authority Demands Respect

Jilomes

Let me start with a quote by Louis Brandeis: “If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable”. This is like a repackaging of the popular statement that the way one is dressed determines how one is addressed. While western societies may be somewhat lax about showing respect, especially to older persons, in Africa, respect is king. In some settings, an older person can never be wrong, and would talk down any unfortunate younger person who dares point out flaws in actions or words. This addiction to respect, is in my view, one of the reasons why Nigeria is underdeveloped.

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Change, Politics

There Was a Subsidy

Jilomes

The Nigerian political sphere is characterized by intrigues and bizarre plots. In most of these political plots, the plight of the common Nigerian is hardly considered. It’s all about politics. One man removed petroleum subsidy, and fled back after intense opposition. Another claimed subsidy did not exist, yet paid huge sums as subsidy. Mr. Thomas has now seen the light. He now agrees that there was a subsidy. Continue reading “There Was a Subsidy” →

Randoms

The Education of Zombies

Jilomes

In “The Zombie Survival Guide”, Max Brooks wrote, “Often a school is your best bet—perhaps not for education but certainly for protection from an undead attack”. Whereas some readers would interpret this as meaning schools are sanctuaries, safe from zombies, I see a different picture. Brook’s assertion is very true, especially with regards to Nigerian tertiary schools. In case of a zombie attack in Nigeria, as a student, you would be very safe, being a zombie among zombies. Continue reading “The Education of Zombies” →