As a freshman undergraduate at the Obafemi Awolowo University years ago, my first experience going on the streets of Ile-Ife to protest was met with police and military brutality that resulted in the disability of some students. Since then I have participated in two or three other protests, but with the carefulness of a protester protesting in Communist China. I have done this preparation for two reasons. The first is that in that first protest I participated in, live bullets were fired by security operatives that they denied as Lai Mohammed and Co are presently making multiple denials about what happened in Lekki tollgate during the #ENDSARS protest. From the directive to switch off the billboard light that was illuminating the tollgate to whether live bullets were fired, or anyone died the Federal and State governments continue to give multiple misleading information. The second reason is that the objectives of protests are often not met or hijacked by individuals acting with ulterior motives. Like the protest against the Goodluck Jonathan administration that individuals like Tunde Bakare spearheaded that helped to enthrone the worst leadership yet in the history of Nigeria.

So, I asked myself, if I was in Lagos, would I join the #ENDSARS protest? The answer is most likely yes. But not after answering the question of why am I, protesting? Thinking about it now, I would be protesting what SARS has come to symbolize. Which is the corruption that has eaten deep into Nigeria that has now achieved Pandemic status facets of the Nigeria polity. Which is the use of lethal force against innocent citizens. From extrajudicial killings to broad daylight extortion, SARS represents the epitome of many things wrong with Nigeria presently. And I will join such a protest. If not for the Nigerian youths whose exploits in many fields of endeavor from entertainment to sports and academics, I would have totally lost hope in Nigeria. My remaining and receding faith is boosted by the tenacity and resilience of the Nigerian youths, who wake up daily to witness firsthand the gross incompetence of the Buhari administration. Yet still, find ways to excel in their various endeavors. They go beyond all odds to create careers that get the London O2 Arena sold out like Davido. They display professionalism that earns Grammy Awards like Burna Boy and conquers sporting titles in boxing and the martial arts.

The most recently impressive Nigerian youth flying our bloodied flag is Victor Osimhen. Born in Lagos to Edo State parents, Osimhen began his foreign senior career in Germany at VfL Wolfsburg in 2017. Following a season and a half at the club, he moved to Belgian side Charleroi on loan in 2018–19, before moving to France at Lille. In 2020, Osimhen transferred to Serie A club Napoli for a club-record fee of €70 million. On 17 October 2020, Osimhen scored his first goal for Napoli in a 4–1 win against Atalanta. Upon scoring, he held up a shirt calling for the ending of the ongoing police brutality in Nigeria. In recent weeks Osimhen has distinguished himself as one of the best strikers in the world in the Serie A and Europa League. His skills continue to put Nigeria in the news for all the right reasons. I urge him and other Nigerian youths to know that the best they can do for themselves, their family, Nigeria, and the Black race is to excel exceedingly in their callings. When an individual excels, he gives his younger or even older kinsmen the license to dream and pursue their dreams to fruition. As the Buhari government hemorrhage Nigeria via foreign loans and the inability to safeguard lives and properties, our youths are the only hope for a better tomorrow.

Ata Ukuta, Editor – www.towncryyers.com