News
Lekki Tollgate: In the Name of Reconciliation, the Truth Must Come Out
By Joel Popoola
“At the Lekki toll gate, officers of the Nigerian army shot, injured and killed unarmed helpless and defenceless protesters, without provocation or justification, while they were waving the Nigerian flag and singing the national anthem, and the manner of assault and killing could in context be described as a massacre.”
So concludes a judicial report into events at the Lekki tollgate during last year’s #endSARS protests.
But we only know these findings because the report was leaked to the press.
The report states that some of the army officers deployed to the gate were “not fit and proper to serve” and recommends prosecuting certain policemen for their actions.
If as a nation, we are to move on from this, the darkest of days, prosecution of a handful of individuals will not be enough.
In the interests of truth and reconciliation, we need to instigate a cultural shift towards total transparency from our leaders – not least as the report’s conclusions are at odds with the contemporaneous conclusions of leading politicians.
In the aftermath of the event, Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, suggested videos and pictures of the event were likely to have been manipulated, and that offenders may have been “hoodlums” dressed in military uniform. Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, described the incident as “a massacre without bodies”.
We know now that 11 unarmed people were killed, four more remain missing and are presumed dead. A further 48 Nigerians were injured.
It is to the credit of Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that the inquiry was established at all.
The governor has also promised a “proper response” to the report, stating, “this process will help us start the very difficult process of proper reconciliation, restitution, bringing together of anyone affected.”
Pivotal to that process is total transparency.
Our leaders need to get into the habit of putting as much information and documentation as possible into the public domain, unfiltered and unredacted – even when it makes uncomfortable reading.
As this report has entered the public domain without being officially published is a clear sign that they have nothing to lose from such a move, and everything to gain. Secrecy is illusory in the digital age. Leaders may cling to the mindset of an age when government could stop people criticising them by shutting down newspapers and seizing printing presses, or just keep potentially damaging information secret. But this is not the age we live in now. People will forgive mistakes. They will not forgive attempts to cover up mistakes. And in the social media age, your mistakes will be revealed.
At the digital democracy campaign I lead we are trying to build the platforms politicians can use to build trust in both themselves and the wider political process through a commitment to transparency.
Our Rate Your Leader app allows leaders to communicate directly – person-to-person – with the people they serve. It also allows verified voters in their areas to communicate with them. Users can even rate their local politicians for transparency and accessibility so their friends, family and neighbours can see that their local leader is worth voting for.
Platforms like Rate Your Leader allow local leaders to be completely upfront with their electorates. This may sound like anathema to some, but the evidence suggests that this is the best way to inspire confidence and trust, both in our democratic institutions and their individual representatives. And that trust is likely to be repaid at the ballot box.
There is significant ground for our political class to make up.
As the UK’s prestigious Guardian newspaper put it, the judicial inquiry into the Lekki tollgate incident follows “a year of denials and contradictory theories offered by Nigerian government ministers”.
When citizens do not know what to believe, they will end up believing no-one. That is why the best approach is for our democratic institutions and representatives to publish the unvarnished truth and allow the people to make up their own minds.
The truth is often hard to hear and harder to stomach. But the process of publishing it makes it possible for us to as individuals and as Nigerians acknowledgement it, address it and move past it.
We cannot bring back the dead. But we owe it to the fallen to take every step we can to build a Nigeria where this does not happen again.
Joel Popoola is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur and digital democracy campaigner. He is the creator of the Rate Your Leader app. He can be reached via @JOPopoola
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
Ever wondered how one sleeps and wakes up? Ever wondered where the spirit goes while we sleep? The answer is hidden in mysteries because life, and by extension, existence, is full of mysteries.
On a personal note, I do believe that whenever we sleep, we are basically practicing how to die because no one knows the whereabouts of the spirit and souls. All we know is that we wake at the break of dawn, or when there’s a stirring, either naturally or artificial. That is a mystery!
Have you also ever imagined how a man will have sexual intercourse with a lady and a child is born? Have you also ever wondered about the mystery surrounding death? Have you also imagined how human beings fall in love with the opposite sex despite various variables. Again, each time I fly in the air, I begin to wonder about the invention surrounding the aeroplane. So many questions begging for answers. The mysteries surrounding life is inexhaustible.
For the benefit of hindsight, life is indeed a mystery. Sometimes, we think we understand it, and other times, it humbles us with its complexities. Life can be likened to a woman; the more you try to understand them, the more confused you become.
I had to give this introductory analysis to buttress the significance surrounding the mysteries of life. Why do I say this? Nothing is permanent in life, and as such anyone can be great and successful tomorrow. In my native Igbo (Nigerian) language, we have a saying that “nobody knows the stomach that will birth a king tomorrow”, and “tomorrow is pregnant”. These are evidence of the mysterious nature of life.
In my journey through life, I have met angels and devils in human form, who have played different roles in shaping my thoughts and outlook towards life. While I thought certain people will bring smiles to my life, they turned around to make me question their intentions and mindset. But the people I had some reservations with turned out to be some of the best things that have happened to me. For instance, I have a dear friend turned brother, whom I hold in high esteem. His name is Sodeeq Sulyman. He is the Chief Operating Officer of my company.
As a matter of fact, today is his birthday. He met me on X and reached out to me to be his mentor. I was literally humbled because that was the first time someone was making a firm request of me. I gladly accepted the request, and today our friendship, brotherhood and relationship has truly blossomed. This young man is literally one of the best things that has happened to my life. If I was told he will change the outlook of my life, business and life generally, I wouldn’t have believed it.
But as my late mother would always say, when you meet people just take the good part and leave the bad part. In all sincerity, I strongly believe our meeting was predestined, and mysterious if the circumstance of our meeting is x-rayed.
Here is the message, never look down on anyone except you are helping them to do something or pick something. Another message is don’t give up on anyone because you don’t know what tomorrow will unfold. Even the Bible book of life states in Proverbs 118:22, “the stone which the people rejected has become the cornerstone”. So, it’s instructive for one to be kind, courteous and humble in relationship with human beings because nobody knows what life will unfold tomorrow.
Imagine, if I had not treated this young man very well or even accepted him, I would probably have met other minds, who would have given me an experience of a lifetime I wouldn’t forget in a hurry.
The mystery of life can be seen in wealth creation. A man of means today can become a beggar tomorrow if the wealth is not properly managed, and the child of a certified pauper can become a man of means tomorrow. There have been stories of wealthy men whose children mismanaged their parents’ and became hungry, while slaves of wealthy men became stupendously wealthy. What does that tell you? Nothing is guaranteed in life. I often wonder how people take life very seriously thinking everything is about them. They don’t even know they can sleep and not wake up the next morning, nor are they aware of the fact that pride and ego are the two greatest enemies that can fast track the downfall of a man, while humility can jump-start their elevation.
As human beings sometimes, we wonder where our next meal will come from. Where would our next business, money, spouse, opportunity come from are some of the questions that bug our minds? One might have a business that has little or no hope of succeeding, but with determination and favour from God, the business will turn around for good.
On a personal note, I have been in a scenario where I lost hope of succeeding or moving to the next round, but I was surprised when the universe came through in ways and manners I couldn’t comprehend. I believe we all have one story or another to share as it relates to the mysteries of life. I can vividly recall when my late dad was very sick in the hospital. As a matter of fact, he was adjudged to be the sickest patient in the hospital. The doctor who was treating him said, he lost his mother to the exact sickness my late dad was facing. But with prayer, my late dad was able to survive to the amazement of everyone. He was later adjudged to be a miracle patient because he was given a slim opportunity to survive.
I don’t know what your storyline might be nor do I know what you are experiencing in your academic, business, health, career, or family life. One message I have for you is that nothing lasts forever. If you give it time, one day you’ll laugh and thank God for the experience and lessons life has offered you because life is a mystery one may not understand. It unfolds as it chooses.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, has questioned the whereabouts of President Bola Tinubu and silence of the Federal Government amid reports of a United States–led military operation against terrorist targets on Nigerian soil.
Momodu raised the concern in a post on his various social media handles, including Instagram, reacting to the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that American forces had carried out airstrikes in Nigeria with the cooperation of the Nigerian government.
He expressed concern over what he perceived as a lack of visible leadership at a critical and historic moment, stressing that national sovereignty and public confidence demand prompt and transparent communication from the country’s highest authority.
Momodu urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he referred to as Nigeria’s “Master Strategist,” not to abdicate responsibility in the face of such a significant security development.
“We implore our Master Strategist not to abdicate responsibility and our sovereignty at this crucial and historic moment, but to stand beside America in this fight against terrorism,” he said.
He concluded his remarks by noting that the country remained in prayers amid the unfolding security situation.
Despite sustained crime prevention strategies that have ensured relative peace across Lagos State in the Yuletide season, a disturbing rise in horrific road accidents has triggered decisive action by the Lagos State Government, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) can report.
This development led to an emergency multi-agency meeting, which was held on Tuesday, 23rd December, at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja. The Nigeria Police, as the lead internal security agency, coordinated the meeting, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
The session brought together critical stakeholders responsible for road safety, traffic management, infrastructure and emergency response.
In attendance were Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF); Mr. Peter Gbejemede, Director of Operations representing the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki; DCC Adeyemi O. Bashina, Deputy Corps Commander (Operations), representing the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Kehinde Hamzat; Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service; and a representative of the Federal Controller of Works.
Senior police officers present includes the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DC Operations, Lagos Command, DCP Lawal Adeshina Bamidele; Area Commander, Area F, ACP Paul Okafor Azuka; Area Commander, Area H, ACP Sholla Omilade; Area Commander, Area B, ACP Onyinye Onwuamaegbu; ACP Abayomi; CSP Shittu, Administrative Officer, Lagos Command; and SP Abimbola Adebisi, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos Command.
Speaking with the press, the Executive Secretary CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan at the meeting hinted that the Lagos State Government is worried about the ugly tide of gory road traffic accidents and is therefore proactive to stem the situation in which lives are lost needlessly. He noted that the government approved the meeting to ensure a coordinated, intelligence-driven and solution-oriented response by all agencies responsible for road safety and traffic management.
According to him, ‘the presence of the Police, FRSC, LASTMA, Fire and Rescue Service and other stakeholders underscored the seriousness with which the government views the matter, especially in this season of influx of local and foreign guests. Lagos, as a global city and economic nerve centre, must uphold the highest standards of safety on its roads.’
The LSSTF CEO assured stakeholders that the state government would continue to provide critical logistical and operational support to security and safety agencies to enhance enforcement, emergency response and public education.
Dr. Ogunsan called on transport unions, fleet operators and motorists to take collective responsibility, warning that the government would fully back strict enforcement against recklessness, overloading and violation of traffic laws. He added that preventing road accidents is not only a law enforcement duty but a shared civic obligation to protect lives and sustain Lagos’ economic vitality.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh said the meeting was convened to confront the recent spike in fatal road crashes and restore order on Lagos roads. “The directive of Mr. Governor of Lagos State is that all agencies of both the federal and state government that have responsibility in ensuring security and safety on the highway should meet to look at the present situation of traffic and the recurring fatal motor accidents,”
“To the glory of God, we’ve been able to exemplify our operational activities to show that the Ember months can be crime-free months. From September to date, there have not been any major or serious concern of crime or criminality throughout the state, and in the fringes of Ogun State, to Epe, Ikorodu down to the waterside, we’ve ensured massive deployment. That’s to let you know the support that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun has been giving to the Command is very immense,” Jimoh said.
He stressed that while accidents were not necessarily alarming for a city of over 23 million people, reckless driving would no longer be tolerated. “Driving has rules, it has guidelines, and it’s a procedure that you need to follow in accordance with the Road Traffic Act.”
Jimoh announced that they will adopt a series of actions including inter-agency meetings, joint enforcement operations, increased policing of pedestrian bridges and stricter monitoring of articulated vehicles, particularly trucks and tankers operating beyond approved limits, and impoundment of erring vehicles. “Our joint enforcement team will be working on a regular basis to ensure that we promptly arrest and prosecute every driver in this regard.”
Representative of FRSC, DCC Adeyemi Bashina highlighted the Corps’ Safe to Load initiative. “If you go to all the tank farms where they load PMS in Lagos, we have our officials there with a checklist to ensure that any vehicle that wants to lift fuel satisfies standards,” which he said has brought about a sharp reduction in tanker explosions.
Also, LASTMA’s Mr. Peter Gbejemede said the collaboration would strengthen incident management and public compliance. “With the cooperation of the Police Command, the FRSC, and other security agencies, traffic accidents will reduce drastically,” he assured.
