TwoCents | THERE WASN'T A COUNTRY

Four years ago, I joined millions of Nigerians to make demands of the government. These demands were under the umbrella of #Endsars. We walked the streets of Nigeria, asking for things that should ideally be provided. Imagine begging for your own rights. It's sad how things turned out. I believed that would have been the protest that would change Nigeria. I'm sure the joke is on me for believing that we can actually rewrite history. On October 20th, 2020, a generation was silenced. I dare say that the protest was the most united Nigeria had ever been. Now I understand why our parents tend to stay silent over political issues. The truth is that they know what it means not to have rights. They've arguably seen it all. They lived under military rule, so they know a lot about premium shege.<img src="/media/inline_insight_image/1722693773846.jpg" alt=""> But then, who did we offend? How come we're still suffering? What did we do wrong? Only shege and football unites us. It is crystal clear that the greatest threat to any government is a united people. Growing up, we saw movies that spoke of the American Dream. What is the Nigerian dream? Is there even one? Because na nightmare, we de like this ooo. The same guy who said "Nigeria may never happen to you", lost his life in the #endsars protest. The Nigerian dream is to be fulfilled abroad. If you can afford to Japa please do o! Pariotism is sweet from the abroad. No allow make person go whine you. Could it be that the labour of our heroes past is part of why we're still backwards? Were they even heroes or villains in white cloak?Let's be rational here: even if the present government is replaced, will things get better? It seems we're all looking for the lesser devil to lead us. I think it's high time we redefine what it means to be a Nigerian. What are our values? Make we no de Bobo ourselves with the Giant of Africa narrative abeggg. What will our children say we did? We are gradually becoming ancestors. I want my kids to remember that their dad helped forge a system that works in Nigeria. The goal is not to change the entire country but to do something significant in small spaces. My people have a saying that 'Tep tep ayuk abang'. It means that little rain drops will eventually fill the drum.<img src="/media/inline_insight_image/images (55).jpeg"> Wait, my kids go sha get dual citizenship It's by far the second-best gift to your kids after good values and hoooge funds. The Constitution part is a given. Our lawmakers should try for us abeg. No, cancel that, abeg, they should do their jobs. Each and everyone should embrace accountability. Remember that when the centre can no longer hold, things fall apart.Keep hustling in case things get wersser.Make I go buy agbado abeg. Nigeria will not be the end of us.

Other insights from Samuel Ibok