Exactly one year ago, young Nigerians put together a protest against Police brutality believing that standing together would make a difference and impact actual change across the country and encourage reforms in major institutions that ought to protect the people. It was going to be the beginning of something different.
- Anger
There would never have been an #ENDSARS without a trigger. It was boiling over point for young people in the country. It was a question of “Who’s next” and “How much longer”. Peaceful protests were being disbanded and talks were happening on different social media platforms about it and the only logical solution that came with all the talk was to get out together as one and make a statement.
2. Hope
This came up as soon as the numbers started rolling in at different protest grounds the very next morning. Young people were getting attention and that morning there was so much belief in what could be achieved if they stood by one another and said enough is enough. So they stood together; sat together, walked together and chanted together. At a point, even danced together; the energy was surfing through and the positivity was contagious all around.
3. Disappointment
There were promises from top government officials, but they didn’t fail to disappoint once again. It wasn’t altogether surprising anyway, but when burning hope has just been blown out, the disappointment hits harder. It appeared then that nothing protesters said would matter anymore; it was a done deal.
4. Fear
There came the curfew; parents calling their children to stay home and famous protest organisers telling protesters to go home as the dark cloud loomed over the air. People still stood together, but then night fell and the lights went out.
Then came a live video on Instagram; the worst was happening. Screams, tears and frantic calls for help. Then there was silence…
5. Despair
This was the coldest part of it all. The realisation that nothing mattered anymore. Social media was buzzing as no one could sleep and it seemed everyone wanted to just get away from the country. The motherland had failed the future of the nation, and there was absolutely nothing that could be done about it.
October 20, 2020 remains a day to remember how much faith young Nigerians had together. The labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain. Never forget #ENDSARS.
