Nigerian Youths protest with a good sprinkle of home training
In spite of the mark on their back, they are not just showing up for themselves; the right to live and to be, but also showing up to leave a place much better than they met it.
When the #ENDSARS protest started on October 8, 2020, no one expected young Nigerian youths to sleep out of their homes, on the cold tar, walk miles, get assaulted, wash, rinse, and repeat.
One would think it’s a no brainer to disband the rogue unit more popular for atrocities than apprehending criminals for which it was created for.
But no, 1 day short of a week, and the government is still playing hanky-panky on an executive order banning SARS.
But how has the Young Nigerian Youth acted in the midst of all this?
From just a handful of young people who camped at a government headquarters to demand that the rogue unit be disbanded, to an uncoordinated yet organised crop of protesters who have spurn out across the Nation to demand that the target be taken off their backs, they've acted in ways that have proven that young Nigerians are much more patriotic than the people who have been Nigerians for the longest time.
It is safe to say at this point that no record of vandalism, theft or violence by the protesters have been recorded during the protests, instead, pictures of shop owners distributing water, snacks, blessings and encouragement have filled the Timeline.
Young Nigerians have found multiple ways to bring cheer into the situation.
To amplify the menace that is SARS, now known as SWAT and the increasing police brutality to young people, they've channelled their creativity into walks, music, photography, memes, tweets, prayers, placards and many other ways known in protestville.
While they were still being praised for maintaining peace and energy, celebrating the sheer grit and courage to stand up against oppression, another trend was noticed:
In the seemingly uncoordinated events, these same young Nigerians across the nation, have continued to pick up after themselves.
This certainly was unexpected.
Especially after being labelled "lazy" by the no 1 citizen of the country.
But just like the kick of firewood flavoured Jollof, this was a perfect finishing element.
What better way shows the government of Nigeria and the global community, that these crop of young people with a mark on their back are not just showing up for themselves; the right to live and to be, but also showing up to leave a place much better than they met it?
Young Nigerians are showing up with their clean up culture and it’s only a matter of time before ill-fitting policies are bagged and taken to the bin as well.
A New Nigeria is here!
I see a new Nigeria.