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Food for Living: #EndSARS Movement: The Way Forward
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By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
It is no longer news that Nigeria has been trending for the wrong reasons. Almost all major news platforms in the world and world leaders have aired their views with respect to the ongoing protests in Nigeria. For the record, CNN, BBC, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal as well as world leaders like Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Members of UK Parliament just to mention a few have raised their voices in different capacities, advising the Federal Government of Nigeria and precisely the President Muhammadu Buhari, to arrest the situation by adhering to the legitimate demands of the #EndSARS protesters.
For the benefit of my readers who are not aware of the origin of this article, please take time to read my last week article, #ENDSARS in Nigeria, for a better understanding. It is important to mention that nothing brings a nation down more than insecurity and instability. When there is a total breakdown of law and order, it will be difficult for any nation to move forward, and also, it will be difficult for investors to invest therein. This is the true state of Nigeria at the moment. Globally, the number one responsibility of any President or leader of a country is the protection of lives and property of its citizens. As it stands now, the protection of lives and properties of the citizens of Nigerians is no longer a priority of the government. It is no longer news that the lives and properties of Nigerians have been destroyed and one begins to wonder if we have a functional government. This is because human lives seem to be of no value if we look at the way thugs and security agents killed peaceful protesters.
It’s important to mention that October 20, 2020 will remain indelible in the minds of Nigerians and the world globally because it was on this date, the military unleashed live bullets on unarmed peaceful protesters who were protesting at the Lekki Tollgate. The shootings were sadistic, draconian and insensitive. In saner climes, the President, Vice President, Governor of Lagos State, Chief of Army Staff and other key officials of the cabinet ought to have resigned, but the reverse is the case in Nigeria.
The level of impunity in Nigeria is at an alarming rate. It is disheartening to note that security officials in Nigeria can kill a citizen they are meant to protect and say with impunity nothing will happen, and mostly likely that’s the honest truth. It’s so sad and unfortunate to note that human lives has little or no value again in Nigerian
Due to the pressure from the international community and well-meaning citizens of Nigeria, the President Muhammadu Buhari was compelled to address the citizens after the bloody massacre, but the most heartbreaking and disheartening news the President gave to Nigerian was not being able to commensurate with the families of those who lost their loved ones, but he was quick condemn the killings of security officials. One begins to wonder if the president has empathy, even if the President doesn’t have empathy what happens to this sympathy? He didn’t speak like a leader who has blood flowing through his veins.
One begins to wonder what’s the way forward for the protesters. The youths have shown that they have what it takes to lead if you look at the way and manner they have conducted themselves during these protests. The organization was well coordinated. They had provision for Legal Aid, medical personnel, relief for victim’s brutality, mental health support, food and relief for fallen heroes. That said, many people are still wondering what’s the way forward? Many youths and concerned Nigerians are worried about the future of the protesters because they see hope in the energy and spirit of the youths.
It’s important to note that the youths have achieve some monumental progress namely: they made the government to disband ENDSARS police officers, the government accepted their five for five demands, the government has made effort to persecute erring officers who weren’t diligent in performing their duties and most importantly, they made the President to address the Nation even though the speech was nothing to write home about.
Again, I ask what’s the way forward for the #endSARS protesters? Many youths are worried about how to proceed. Here are my humble thoughts. Let’s be clear, every protest must have a leader(s)and every movement or protest must be structured. Even though some schools of thought are against having clear leaders so it won’t be hijacked and to the extent he/she is no longer alive or available, the movement can still proceed, however it’s pertinent to mention that without a clear cut leadership of the protest, it will he hard to coordinate the movement, the advantages of having a leadership is much better than not having a leadership structure. Here are my humble thoughts on why a leadership structure is needed.
1. A good leadership will help to direct and inform the protesters on the way forward
2. A good leadership structure will be in a better position to negotiate when need arises
3. A good leadership will give credibility to the movement in addition to ensuring it’s not hijacked
4. A good leadership will elaborate in detailed format what we stand for, our missions and visions
5. A good leadership will provide authentic information as opposed to fake news been peddled by rumor mongers
The list is literally endless. The question now becomes how can this work?
1. Structure:
We need a good structure that will articulate the direction of the protest, the guidelines of the protest and modus operandi of the movement. Without a good structure, the movement will look like a ship without a captain or a moving car without a direction.
2. Administration
We need a good administration that will run the internal affairs of the movement. A good administration can be likened to the parts of the body working for the well being of the body. As you may know, if any part of the body is not working well, other parts will be affected. A good administration is a like a blind spot which sees and hears what other people can’t see or hear and then report to the appropriate quarters for action
3. Resources
No doubt, we need resources to make the movement work. Without resources, it will be hard to get anything done. We are not fighting with ordinary mortals; we are fighting against forces in government uniforms. Resources are like blood and fuel in human beings and cars. Without blood and fuel, it will be hard for a human being and car to function very well. Again, if the agents of the government shut down any part of the campaign to raise money in Nigeria, those in diaspora and well-meaning people who are interested in developing and bringing change to the system can actually contribute meaningfully.
4. Strategy
The last but not the least is a strategy. Without a good strategy, it might be difficult to achieve any meaningful progress. You cannot underestimate the importance of strategy. In politics, strategy is very important for the success of any political campaign. Campaign can be likened to a Business Model Canvas (B.M.C). Our strategy must only be known by the internal agents who will then direct the people on where the next step. For example, we can decide when to go online and when to go on the street, we can decide on a particular dress code etc. Strategy involves reaching out to those in diaspora, learning from the elders who have been there before us in the fight for self-actualization, negotiating where need be and planning for the future.
In conclusion, I will strongly advise every patriotic citizen and lover of Nigeria not to give up because we have come a long way. The protest is not a sprint, but a marathon. I strongly believe, if we can brainstorm and articulate ideas on how to re-strategize the protest, I believe we will have a good chance of achieving our aim.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the author of the acclaimed book Design Your Destiny – Actualizing Your Birthright To Success and President of gloemi.com. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Davis Mark, has said the party will adhere to electoral rules during the 2027 elections but will resist any attempt to manipulate the process.
Mark spoke on Wednesday in Abuja when the governing council of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, led by Olukayode Ariwoola, former chief justice of Nigeria, visited him at the ADC headquarters.
“We hold ourselves to the highest standards of good conduct as a political party. We will play by the rules,” Mark said.
The centre’s governing council, known as the council of the wise, was reconstituted in June to engage relevant institutions and political stakeholders towards fostering peaceful, free and credible elections.
The meeting with the ADC chairman was part of the centre’s ongoing engagement with political parties ahead of the elections.
The Presidency has expressed confidence that the growing number of governors backing President Bola Tinubu gives him a stronger political structure and an advantage over opposition candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, said this on Channels Television’s Politics Today, arguing that the political landscape has changed considerably since the 2023 election.
Bwala said the support of governors is significant because they control political structures in their respective states and could translate their backing for Tinubu into grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election.
“Since then, President Bola Tinubu has got how many governors on his side? The governors are the Chief Executive Officers of their respective states. They coordinate the structures of the State. These people say, ‘We are putting our goodwill, our resources, our structure, and our support to the President,’” he said.
He argued that the President’s political position has also been strengthened by people who have benefited from his administration’s policies, including beneficiaries of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), agricultural programmes, manufacturing incentives, CrediCorp and infrastructure projects.
Bwala said the developments constitute “facts, verifiable data” which, in his view, showed that Tinubu had made progress since assuming office in 2023.
He also dismissed suggestions that the administration’s confidence ahead of 2027 is based solely on divisions within the opposition, saying its record in office would form an important part of its campaign.
His comments came amid renewed debate over Tinubu’s popularity and the ability of the opposition to challenge his bid for a second term.
Bwala dismissed an assessment by The Economist that Nigerians may re-elect Tinubu despite disapproval of his administration, arguing that claims about the President’s popularity should be backed by representative opinion surveys.
“When you make a claim that Nigerians don’t like him, without saying, also, that there are a lot of people… one million families that the children have benefited from NELFund, you think they hate him?” he asked.
He similarly cited beneficiaries of agricultural interventions, support for manufacturers and CrediCorp, arguing that such groups should be considered when assessing public sentiment towards the administration.
On concerns over rising poverty and hunger, Bwala acknowledged that more Nigerians had fallen into poverty but attributed the hardship partly to the economic reforms undertaken by the Tinubu administration.
“More people went down to poverty, I acknowledge, I’m not doubting it. But there is a ‘but’ to it. Since when the reform started to today, we have made marked progress,” he insisted.
According to him, the reforms are necessary to address longstanding economic problems, despite the short-term discomfort experienced by Nigerians.
Bwala also defended Tinubu’s statement that Nigeria has moved from the “doldrums” towards prosperity, saying the President is not suggesting that Nigerians would suddenly begin experiencing prosperity from October 1.
He cited NELFund beneficiaries, subsidised healthcare, infrastructure projects and support for small and medium-sized businesses as examples of what he described as prosperity already reaching Nigerians.
“One million families whose children have benefited from the NELFUND programme, what they are benefiting is called prosperity,” he said.
“If you go to an environment or a place where there have been no roads or any form of infrastructure, and we have established infrastructure there, what has come to them is prosperity.”
Bwala further claimed that the opposition has lost several influential political figures who played key roles in their 2023 campaigns.
He said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar no longer has the support of governors who worked for his 2023 campaign, while Peter Obi has also lost some critical political allies.
“In terms of the other candidates who say he will not win, Atiku Abubakar lost close to 25 per cent of key people that you know around him. All the governors that worked for him that time are no longer with him,” Bwala said.
“Peter Obi lost 55 per cent of the critical people that carried his campaign; they’ve all disappeared. And some of them went to Atiku, some of them went wherever they could go to.”
He consequently expressed confidence in Tinubu’s prospects in the 2027 contest, saying the political support around the President was considerably different from what existed before the 2023 election.
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Globacom Unveils Sponsorship of 2026 Ofala Festival, Promises ‘Never Settle for Less’ Celebration
Globacom has once again demonstrated its commitment to Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage by supporting the 2026 Ofala Festival in Onitsha as the official sponsor.
The partnership, which has continued for over 15 years, highlights Globacom’s dedication to celebrating and sustaining cultural traditions that preserve identity, strengthen communities and contribute to the nation’s social and cultural development.
The 2026 edition, which marks the 25th Ofala of the reign of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, is themed “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru – Strive and Advance: From Resilience to Progress.” The theme resonates strongly with the history and character of Ndi Onicha, whose story is one of resilience, enterprise, adaptability and an enduring determination to advance.
According to Globacom, its continued association with Ofala reflects the Company’s belief that cultural heritage and national development are complementary forces. “For Globacom, Ofala is more than an annual cultural celebration. It is a living expression of identity, continuity and collective aspiration. Our sustained partnership reflects our belief that preserving heritage and advancing society are not competing imperatives, but mutually reinforcing pillars of a progressive nation,” the Company stated.
The telecommunications giant added that the partnership also aligns with its “Never Settle for Less” philosophy, which encourages Nigerians to honour their foundations while continually pursuing greater possibilities. “Never Settle for Less is a philosophy of progress: to respect the foundations upon which we stand, while seeking to broaden possibilities, deepen impact and move the nation forward. We are proud to support a cultural institution that honours its roots while engaging the future,” Globacom said.
Over the years, Ofala has evolved from a sacred royal rite of renewal into a major platform for cultural affirmation, community engagement and social development. The 2026 programme features the Obi’s sacred period of seclusion and ceremonial emergence, the Medical, Health and Wellbeing Community Outreach, the international Oreze Art Exhibition, the Youth Carnival, and the grand finale of Iru Ofala and Azu Ofala.
For Globacom, supporting Ofala therefore goes beyond conventional sponsorship to represent corporate citizenship and cultural stewardship — an investment in preserving the memory, meaning and continuity of a people. The Company noted that the festival’s ability to draw strength from its ancestral foundations while embracing the future mirrors its own commitment to innovation, connectivity and digital inclusion.
As the people of Onitsha gather to celebrate another chapter in the history of the revered institution, Globacom remains proud to stand alongside them in honouring a heritage that continues to inspire generations.
