On the 26th of October, His Holiness, Pope Francis urged all on Twitter to intercede for the nation, Nigeria. He said;
“Let us pray to the Lord for Nigeria, so that every form of violence might always be avoided, in the constant search of social harmony through the promotion of justice and the common good.”
An action which could have ordinarily attracted the alignment of a good number of people turn out to be a point of opposition based on some thoughtful stands.
WHY SOCIAL MEDIA
SHUNNED POPE FRANCIS
Well, there are at least four reasons.
1.The helping hand of the Pope really hit the odd side of the people for the fact that he reportedly approved the gay marriage. according to diverse tweets, the Prayers of the Pope are of no use as they had rather find another solution than to receive prayers from “the same mouth” that “legalized gay marriage” as they conclude “we no need am”.
2.A few other put forward their stand that prayers are not needed for all that is needful at this point in time is an action put in place to “find out the root of the violence”
3.Many posed the fact that in as much as he could be considerate of others no matter their religion, he should count those with which he shares the same faith (Christianity) as a priority, as they have lots going on with them as well.
4.Some stated that other issues need to be addressed as well, issues like the killing of Biafrans, Nigeria’s disintegration and many more.
Kindly tell us how you feel appropriate or inappropriate these reactions are below.
Veteran Nollywood actor Clem Ohameze has recounted how he was attacked by hoodlums in Akwa Ibom state amid the EndSARS protest.
The actor, who is currently shooting a movie in Akwa Ibom, revealed this an interview with BBC Igbo.
Ohameze said he was on his way to a movie location on Abak Road, on Thursday when he ran into hoodlums.
Clem Ohameze
According to the veteran film star, he initially thought the hoodlums were members of the #EndSars protest but got unlucky after introducing himself as he was stripped of his cash and valuables.
Ohameze who further revealed that he reported the incident to the police, said his hand was slashed with machete and he has been in an Uyo hospital since Thursday but was discharged on Sunday October 25.
He added that his attackers have pleaded guilty to assault to a police officer and are awaiting trial.
“It happened on Thursday in Uyo,” he said. “The protesters, I ran into them. On recognising me, they just didn’t want to bother. They took everything away from me.
“They took N650,000 from me, all my phones. Destroyed my car, slashed my hand with a machete. I did a police report when this happened. I was on Abak Road in Uyo. I went to work on a movie set of my own.”
The actress says the country needs to stop recycling politicians.
Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has vowed never to support, campaign or vote for the two leading political parties in Nigeria from henceforth.
The movie star made this known via her Twitter page on Sunday, October 25, 2020.
In her post, Ojo said she will not be exercising her voting right on behalf of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) again regardless of who their candidates are.
Iyabo Ojo
She noted that people in the nation needs change, and in other for that change to happen, the country’s political system needs to stop presenting the same crop of politicians under the guise of a different party during elections as they’re all birds of the same feathers.
“I Alice Iyabo Ojo, will never support, campaign or vote for any APC or PDP member ever again in my life even if you are my family or friend, we need a New Nigeria flag of Nigeria, we need to stop recycling #EndBadGoveranc” Ojo tweeted.
Iyabo Ojo has been very vocal about the EndSARS protest which has also been used as a medium to speak against the ills of the government.
She has now added her voice to those calling for radical changes in the country’s political setup.
The occasions that characterized the Lekki massacre still remain an event with vague information. Resulting from the fact that no one has still claimed responsibility for the incident and the CCTV camera that would have unleashed some valuable truths about the event was allegedly removed. The governor of Lagos State Sanwolu and his Godfather Tinubu have as well been indicted in the incident but they both denied the allegations outrightly.
On Sunday, October 25, former Lagos state governor and now Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, alongside some southwest governors and Ministers from the region, paid a condolence visit to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the recent crisis that rocked the state.
It was during the visit that Fashola found a secret camera at the Lekki tollgate. He confiscated the camera with a piece of cloth and said it will be useful in the investigation of the shooting that took place at the tollgate on Tuesday, October 20.
Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the discovery of the camera. While some are indifferent about it, others said they feel insulted by the discovery.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGzn6ThDPRc/
Singer, Falz was one of the celebrity influencers that gave impetus and momentum to what many considered as a remarkable END SARS protest, has also reacted to news of the former governor of Lagos State discovering a hidden camera in a location close to the site where the Lekki shootings took place.
His reaction revealed his discontentment to the story of Fashola discovering a camera was justified by the similar reaction of the masses who believe that government’s actions are just a play on their (the people) intelligence.
REACTIONS FROM NIGERIANS
Do you think Falz really understands the unravelling of events? Is the discovery of the hidden camera really a political play to erase suspicion relating to the incident?
Let’s know what you think, kindly share your thoughts below and let’s discuss.
Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has condemned the looting and destruction of properties during the #EndSARS protest.
The music star in a series of tweets shared on Sunday, October 25, 2020, said it was sad to watch the peaceful demonstrations against police brutality descend into violence across the nation.
The singer noted that turning of the peaceful protest into a complete anarchy is a disrespect to those that lost their lives in the struggle. He also wondered the gain in looting private businesses, and the common sense in burning down police stations when one of the demands of the protesters was better police welfare.
Davido
Davido called for a stop to the unrest, noting that positive change can only take place in a peaceful society.
“It is painful that what started as a peaceful protest has been hijacked and turned into complete Anarchy, in total disrespect to those that lost their lives during the Peaceful protest. This is def not the way to honour those that lost their lives while protesting peacefully,” he wrote.
“What is there to gain from burning and looting private businesses that provide employment to our own people?? Or burgling or burning houses belong to innocent citizens?! Or burning Buses that our own people depend on for transport to go to work and go about their lives???
“Why burn police stations, when one of our demands was better police welfare and training??? Please stop stop stop stop! It all makes no sense whatsoever !! If you know anybody partaking in this, tell them to stop!!”
It is painful that what started as a peaceful protest has been hijacked and turned into complete Anarchy, in total disrespect to those that lost their lives during the Peaceful protest. This is def not the way to honour those that lost their lives while protesting peacefully.
The EndSARS Protest was notably peaceful right until the shooting of protesters at Lekki toll gate last week Tuesday.
What ensured after the carnage was widespread rioting that led to looting and destruction of government and private establishments in several parts of the federation.
The Ex-housemate of the Big Brother Naija season 5, Model and Media personality, TolaniBaj is plus one today the 20th of October! Obviously, she makes a great deal of her day irrespective of the curfew, how sweet!
The energetic gingered babe who’s always known as the life of the party shoots a new video in honour of her birthday as a medium to answer burning questions from fans. See video below:
It is very clear that she has so much anticipated this new age as she began her countdown two days ago with a classic video of herself in a fabulous outfit! Well, nothing less is expected from a stunning Model.
This is the one question most young Nigerians are asking right now after they watched with horror as hundreds of unarmed peaceful EndSARS protesters were gunned down at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos by men believed to be military men as they chanted the Nigerian anthem and waved the Nigerian flag on Tuesday night, October 20, 2020.
Press Play
Photos and video evidence making the rounds on social media including the live broadcast of DJ Switch, a popular Nigerian celebrity Disc Jockey who was present at the scene of the massacre have raised suspicion that the incident was premeditated.
The Nigerian army has equally denied deploying military men for the operation saying that it is fake news. Despite this denial on all sides, Nigerians have insisted the Nigerian army, Tinubu, and Sanwo-Olu are all complicit in the Lekki Toll Gate massacre, hence, the birthing of the multi-million dollar question, who ordered the Lekki Toll Gate massacre?
Popular Nigerian media personality Daddy Freeze has taken to social media to share some advice on the way forward for Nigeria and its youthful population.
Daddy freeze states that lifting youths from poverty is much more rewarding than raising business empires or acquiring properties.
The controversial broadcaster made this known via his Instagram page on Saturday, October 24, 2020, while reacting to the recent chain of events in the country sparked by the #EndSARS protest.
Daddy Freeze
Sharing his latest unpopular opinion, Freeze noted that it is unwise to invest solely on business and properties as they are easy targets for destruction.
Rather, he advised that people channel the much bulk of their financial resources towards the youth to ensure that they are lifted out of poverty.
He went further to make the call for people to start investing in young citizens of the nation.
Daddy Freeze says people should start investing in youths.
“The best investment in life is not buying property or starting a business don’t let motivational speakers fvck with your mind,” he said.
“The best investment is lifting the poor out of poverty.. Your houses and businesses could be destroyed in seconds if you don’t invest in uplifting the youths around you from poverty!
“Secure your future, don’t invest in businesses or property or your children alone, Invest in the youths around you!.”
Rapper and social crusader, Folarin Falan popularly known as Falz, has declared that he is not afraid of dying.
The music star said this in an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, while answering questions bothering on police brutality in Nigeria that gave birth to the EndSARS campaign.
During the interview, Falz gave a breakdown of what has been happening in the country from the first day Nigerian youths decided to come out and protest against police brutality.
Falz
He also said Buhari’s promise to reform the police was infuriating and frustrating as his administration had been making the same promise of reform since 2017.
The ‘This is Nigeria’ crooner added that it is disheartening that the Nigerian government is dragging its feet in
implementing some of the reforms it claims it’s leading.
When asked if he was afraid for his life, Falz boldly stated, “I’m not afraid for my safety, I’m not afraid for my life because where we are right now, I feel like I could easily die by anything else anyways.”
#EndSARS has grabbed the world’s attention, highlighting police violence in Nigeria. @falzthebahdguy has been part of protests since the start and explains the abuses: “They beat people up, they torture people, they murder, they commit armed robbery – it’s everything.” pic.twitter.com/qs1I5A5wtr
He continued: “We have none existent healthcare for example, we have a seriously high level of poverty, there’s unemployment. We’re in a critical state because of how much corruption and just mismanagement of funds that we continue to see on a daily basis. So if I don’t come out to sort of complain about the state of things, I could sit down and you know I could have an accident on my way to work or something… What kind of life am I living anyway?”
Falz has been vocal on issues bordering on social injustice across the country especially the recent campagin against police brutality known as #EndSARS.
p resident Muhammadu Buhari has called for an end to nationwide demonstrations against police brutality, but failed to directly the fatal shooting of peaceful protesters.
The president in his first speech since the #EndSARS Protest began acknowledged the agitations of the protesting youths, saying it is their fundamental rights to protest against the excesses of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
During his statement, no mention on the Lekki toll gate shooting was made, nor sympathizing with families and friends who lost their loved ones during the unrest across the country. He paid tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have “tragically lost their lives in the line of duty”
#EndSARS protesters
Rather, the president ordered the discontinuation of street protests while calling on the youths to constructively engage government in finding solutions. Appealing to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives.
Read the full transcript of his speech below:
Fellow Nigerians,
It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.
2. I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
3. On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.
4. The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.
5. As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.
6. On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.
7. Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.
8. The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.
9. All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.
10. The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.
11. On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
12. Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:
a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises, b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission, c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.
13. These are in addition to many other initiatives such as; a. Farmermoni, b. Tradermoni, c. Marketmoni, d. N-Power, e. N-Tech and f. N-Agro.
14. No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.
15. With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.
16. In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.
17. Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.
18. We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.
19. We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.
20. But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.
21. To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.
22. In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.
23. For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.
24. I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.
25. And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.
26. I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.
27. This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.
Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nollywood actress Ada Ameh has called on the federal government to grant her free passage to Abuja so she can retrieve the corpse of her daughter who died in surgery for burial.
Ada Ameh had announced the sad passing away of her daughter, Godgifts, in an emotional post via her Instagram page on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Godgifts succumbed to death after going under the knife.
In her post, the veteran film star said her daughter has gone to be with the lord. She also bemoaned the young lady’s quick demise while pleading to fans and followers to pray for fortitude on behalf of her family.
She wrote: “Fams!!! My lovely people. Pray for me My beautiful darling Child choose to go and be with the Lord early hours of today. Aladi Godgifts Ameh @lalas_touch why did you choose to leave me now? Ladi how you want make i do na? I will be strong !! GOD Has to help me.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGkaxphhqxF/
Taking to her Instagram page in a different post today being Thursday, October 22, 2020, Ameh sent a passionate plea to those in authority, telling them to make it possible for her to fly from Lagos to Abuja to bury her daughter.
It didn’t end there as she also threatened to walk to the airport naked and holding a placard if the government refuses to grant her request.
An emotional Ameh did not hold back as she called out the government for the brutal manner they have dealt with #EndSARS protesters.
“Good morning Mr President, good morning Sanwo Olu please I just want to beg, I’m begging since in Nigeria they said we shouldn’t ask for things nicely. People are protesting they are killing them, they are sending soldiers, it is okay,” she said in parts.
The #EndSARS protest has turned violent since the murder of peaceful protesters at Lekki toll gate on Tuesday.
Nollywood actress Uche Elendu has taken to social media to bemoan the vandalization and looting of her shop by mob protesters in Lagos State.
The movie star in a post shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, said she is in shock as she unloaded photos of the shop that was vandalized.
Uche Elendu
Elendu’s shop, located in a mall, was one of many ransacked by hoodlums who made away with all her products worth millions – from fabrics to shoes and jewelry.
The heartbroken film star expressed deep sadness as she stated that all her years of struggle and hard work have been taken away from her by the same people she stood for.
“They took all my years of struggle and hard work from me.. everything. I thank God for life. Posterity will judge all of you. E shock me ooooo #endsars#endbadgovernance,” she captioned the photos.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGnUyzoHCE6/?hl=en
Unrest continue to prevail on the streets of Lagos as the once peaceful movement against police brutality in the country has now been replaced by trouble and chaos following the shooting of protesters by security forces on Tuesday.
