“Nonviolence is an intensely active force when properly understood and used.” – Mohandas Gandhi
Peaceful stances against all forms of injustices and bad governance have been successful throughout history and nonviolent movements can lead to a meaningful systemic change. Reflecting back on several landmark moments can act as a guide for action in these tumultuous times to change Nigeria for good as we all desire our country to be. Nigeria is a great country by all standards available to measure greatness of any country in the world. However, our problems have remained bad/selfish leadership, corruption and fragile institutions. Good leadership will make the other too work perfectly.
Nigeria is equally endowed with abundant mineral resources in addition to her great human resources. The fact remains that with these abundances, Nigeria remains the capital city of poverty in the world but Nigerian politicians are one of the highest paid in the world. Conversely, Nigeria Minimum Wage is one of the worst in the world, yet the political class are unconcerned. The former CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi analysed the dangers of these bogus salaries and allowances thus: "Change should start with the National assembly: = A Senator receives N36,000,000 (thirty-six million Naira) monthly. If this is divided into two = N18,000,000 million (Eighteen million Naira). The second half which is N18,000,000 (eighteen million Naira) can be used to employ 200 Nigerians, each earning a salary of N90,000 (ninety thousand Naira) monthly. When you multiply 200 people with the number of Senators (109), this will give 21,800 Nigerians gainful employment. In short, 200 Nigerians will be able to live a comfortable life on half a Senator’s monthly salary.
A member of the House of Representatives receives a salary of N25,000,000 (tenty-five million Naira) monthly. If this salary is divided in two = N12,500,000 (twelve million and five hundred thousand Naira). The other half, which is the sum of N12,500,000 (twelve million and five hundred thousand Naira) will be enough to employ 135 Nigerians with a monthly salary of N92.500 (ninety-two thousand and five hundred Naira) each. Nigeria has 360 Members of the House of Representatives, half of their salaries can employ 48,600 Nigerians who can live comfortable lives.
So, President Buhari’s Administration can employ 70,400 Nigerians with monthly salaries ranging from N90,000 to N92.500 accordingly. This is just by dividing the salaries of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives. Half their present salaries is more than enough for them in a country where majority of Nigerians live on less than a dollar a day. (Now think of all the other over bloated salaries and allowances of Ministers and others)" Nigerians are the most tolerance human being on earth because of what they tolerate from their heartless leaders.
The immediate human right violations by Nigeria Police outfit called SARS pushed Nigerians to the wall with #EndSARS peaceful movement. Nigerian government failed woefully in handling the protest with a vague solution. Nigerians can not believe in vague solution because of many bad precedencies. The fact remains that Nigerians have been pushed to the wall and they are more or less a bottled gunpowder ready to explode. A simple presidential address would have taken the peaceful protesters off the street. The address would have been explicit enough with points on how to implement the ban of SARS to SWAT.
Despite all these bad governance, maladministration, unemployment, poverty and the organisation of counter group to unleash mayhem on peaceful protesters in Abuja, violence is still not the best way to go about changes. It is very unfortunate that many lives have been lost, though perpetrators will surely be brought to book. Many police stations, NPA, BRTs, TVC Office, Hotels and personal properties have been burnt down. Yet our president see no reason to address the Nation!
These destructions will naturally retard our progress, because they have to be replaced and it will cost the country a huge amount considering the corruption that will be involved. How can the progressive youths become a clog in the wheel of development we have all been yearning for? Destruction of properties should stop everywhere in Nigeria especially in Lagos. Lagosians should not allow some unscrupulous elements hijack the peaceful protest in pretense to destroy our National heritage.
Orgarnisers of the peaceful #EndSARS are to take back the protest from the destructive elements that have infiltrated them. They should not give an unwilling and uncaring government rooms to justify deployment of Armed security agencies. Because when destructions becomes uncontrollable, no government will continue to watch. They should show the world they are educated, reasonable, capable and never loose public and international supports.
The best way now is to stand together and stop further destruction of any properties anywhere in Nigeria and to maintain our fragile unity before tribal interpretations of the destructions by other tribes that hate Lagos or even Southwest in general. And you can't blame them for such interpretations because of the huge destruction in Lagos alone. One thing that is sure is that justice will be done to the killers of innocent and peaceful protesters, no matter how highly placed they are and their supporters. #EndSARS #Protesthijacked you have to #EndSARSProtestNow
What's your take in giving peace a chance instead of destructive protest?
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This is terrible and needs urgent solutions.
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