The first week of August protests was fraught with arrests, attacks, death, looting, and violence. Even peaceful protesters were galvanized to resort to life saving acts and techniques. Anywhere in the world where citizens choose and decide to fight for their rights; it’s always the same story. The system of democratic government in Nigeria for the past 25 years has severally impinged on the rights of the citizens; taken the masses for a ride. Back in the days of Black marginalization in the US, Mrs Rosa Louise Parks known as “First Lady of civil rights” was among the few people that took their stand against the oppression that lasted for many generations. Blacks in America struggled for 87 years to be given the right to vote. South Africans on the same note struggled for several decades before they could take ownership of their country. Oppressing a man with debts, demotion, hardship, hunger, retrenchment, sack, sickness and starvation will definitely trigger his spirit for resistance.

Freezing the accounts of the organizers of #ENDSARS protests, putting the sponsors of #ENDBADGOVERNANCE protests on travel watchlist may not stop nor influence the fight and determination to be free. Young people in Nigeria have their future mortgaged through corruption, bad governance among the political leaders. The masses are enslaved through the bondage of lack and want. We discover that young people do not have good options except to engage in fraud and crime. Dangling a stick of apple, meat, pie before a hungry man would tempt him to seek for instant gratification rather than look up to future prospects. The Nigerian government mocks the suffering masses by presenting palliatives, funds or grants as an alternative to good governance.

Mostly, human beings are limited by what they do not know. At the same time, some of the things we fear because we do not know how to handle them keep us as crude and coarse beings. Therefore, failing to unlearn irrational fears and misconceptions keep us from actualizing our full potential. Life is like a jungle, and we need strength to survive. It may not be strength gotten from appetizing meals but the strength, grit of life and purpose. Our road is tough, and we need to understand the times in tough times. Everywhere you look these days, people are running scared. They are scared about the economy, they are scared about their finances, they are scared about their jobs, they are scared about their future. Our world is plagued with extreme forms of lovelessness and wickedness.

Rumours of biochemical warfare and nuclear capability are rampant. Freedoms we once took for granted disappeared. Fear and uncertainty grip many across the globe with the ‘Third World War’ scare. The enemies of our country pretend in every way to be patriots and initiators of democratic principles. Humanity has long faced the influence of untrustworthy voices. So many leaders wish to hurt others for their benefit. Everything is not all about money. We still have values, norms and customs as individuals. The challenge for change comes before every Nigerian within and in diaspora. We must change something in us before the things outside us would change. Majority of Nigerians work like ants but they are never at peace. This is because every mile you go in the wrong direction is really a two-mile error as you have to double back to get to where you need to be.

We may try to discover the reason behind our pain, but perhaps there’s a bigger story behind the scenes that we won’t understand in our lifetime. Nigerians continue to search for a voice they can trust. Resigning to fate would not help anybody. Silent quitting should never be the norm rather we would fight till the end. We cannot afford to lose interest in our fatherland or give up on her growth and development.

The Ills of the human race is not just stubbornness, stupidity, egotism, love of pleasure or lack of compassion. Man, often condemn himself for failing to have a listening ear. Nigerians trying to rise up to liberate themselves – a daunting task but not impossible for victory is assured. We could discover that some African countries under severe conflicts of open war still had their currencies on stable exchange rate with the dollar. Nigeria has witnessed several smooth transitions from one civilian government to another, but the exchange rates kept rising against the naira. Embezzlement and looting of public funds like a snake that sheds its skin get renewed with each passing year in each administration.

The time for change Is now. Nigerian youths must rise up, unite and demand a brighter future. By doing so, they will not only reclaim their rightful place in the struggle for freedom but also shape a better Nigeria for generations to come.

•Obiotika Wilfred Toochukwu writes from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Awgbu, Anambra State.

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