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Seems like this date, 15th
January 2010
will go down in the history of the
Nigerians Abroad as a great day.
Notably too, it was also the birthday of
that great Icon of the Black race, Dr
Martin Luther King, Jr. although its
celebration this year in the United
States will be on Monday 18th
January.
It was the day Nigerians from throughout
the United Kingdom and Europe gathered
in an 'Enough is Enough – Save Nigeria”
protest rally in London, demanding good
governance in Nigeria, protesting the
unfortunate inclusion of Nigeria as a
terrorist state, and to know the
whereabouts of their President, one
Umaru Musa Yar Adua, whose
health/medical conditions and
whereabouts have been concealed from
Nigerians and the world for 58 days.
Despite the harsh inclement and freezing
weather conditions, the Nigerians, from
several organisations marched through
Central London
in an impressive turnout that began as
early as
10.30 am,
in front of the Houses of Parliament, in
a small park called Parliament Square,
with the famous Big Ben in the
foreground and the Westminster Abbey in
the background. Appropriately again, we
were standing around the statue of that
great British statesman, Sir Winston
Churchill.
We danced, made speeches and proudly
waved the Nigerian flags and banners,
and enthusiastically distributed
leaflets to tell the whole world about
the irresponsible, unfocused,
unsympathetic and corrupt status of
Nigerian leadership which has inevitably
led to the suffering and abandonment of
the people in the midst of the nation’s
abundant resources.
We sang both the old (Nigeria We Hail
Thee) and current (Arise O Compatriots)
National Anthems of Nigeria and chanted
slogans such as:
-
President Yar Adua, where are you?
-
Nigerians are not terrorists!
-
Nigerians For Good Governance!
-
Enough is Enough of corrupt leaders!
-
Save Nigeria Now!
 
It was a sight to behold and be proud
of. Nigerians (UK population estimated
at 1.5 million, according to
the UK
High Commissioner in Lagos) had
taken to the streets of a foreign
capital to demand CHANGE from the cabal
of evil and corruption that have been
holding them hostage, in bondage, in
poverty and oppressed for close to fifty
years.
Kayode Ogundamisi, Convener of Nigeria
Liberty Forum and one of the organisers
of the protest, addressed the moderate
crowd of over 250, saying history was on
the side of the participants. “We are
here today for both the present and
unborn generations of
Nigeria. We are tired of corrupt
leaders since independence. We might be
living abroad but we must not forget our
roots” and that he was using this rally
to advise parents to allow their
children to know the original history of
Africa and Nigeria and to also learn the
languages not just speak the English
language, because that would amount to
mental and psychological slavery.
Mr Ogundamisi also acknowledged and
saluted the courage of the two patriotic
Nigerians who demonstrated in front of
the Nigeria Embassy in
Kiev, Ukraine this week, without waiting
for a large turnout of fellow Nigerians
to join them.
Ms Abby Ojo, Co-ordinator of United and
Positive Change in Nigeria (UPCINN), and
a major organiser of this event, in her
speech stated that to move Nigeria
forward now depends on a united front of
all Nigerians and the need to tell those
in the corridor of power that 'enough is
enough' since for too long, Nigerians
have been taken for a long rough ride by
our unscrupulous and selfish leaders.
Mr Akintokunbo Adejumo, Global
Co-ordinator of Champions for
Nigeria,
in his speech, called for Change,
respect and compliance for the
Constitution of Nigeria, good
governance, and urged Nigerians all over
the world to demand change that will
make
Nigeria
relevant in the comity of nations.
Mr Bob Olukoya, a legal practitioner and
member of Action Congress
UK
also canvassed for the passage of
electoral reforms which will stop any
electoral manipulations come Election
2011 and beyond and the urgent need for
all Nigerians to unite against our
internal colonialists.
 
Others speaking at the rally included
Hon Wale Oshun, a pro-democracy
activist; Dr Ayo Owoade, Chairman of the
AC, UK; Chuma Nwokolo, a UK-based
Nigerian writer and political activist;
Comrade Abdul Mahmud, veteran Student
leader and political activist; Comrade
Shina Oyedeji, London- based political
activist; Zaynab Galadima, Youth
activist/blogger; Dayo Israel, a
Nigerian youth activist/Preacher; Mr
Olukoya,a legal practitioner and member
of Action Congress UK; , and Comrade
Olamide Ayodeji of Ekiti Patriotic
Front; Chinedu Vincent Akuta, activist/blogger
and a member of Champions For Nigeria;
Amos Akin Adejinmi of the Nigerian
British Community Forum, NBCF; Akin
Akisanmi of Surprise FM; Emeka Aneke,
activist.
That indomitable comedian, Obonjo, a
talented Nigerian humour merchant also
added glamour to the rally with his
political satire and rib-cracking jokes
and launched his YES WE FIT campaign.
Dayo
Israel,
a Nigerian youth activist/Preacher also
took reference from the Bible where
Prophet Moses challenged dictatorial
Pharaoh to 'let his people go'.
Other notable faces include the
“Champion Mother”, Mrs Juliannah
Balogun-Oke, she of the high-achieving
quadruplets; Modupe Debbie Ariyo of
AFRUCA; Segun Alli, an activist;
Comrade Abdul Mahmud, veteran Student
leader and political activist;
representatives of the Southern
Minorities Movement for Advancement; and
a friend of late Anthony Fatayi-Williams
who was killed in the London bus bombing
in July 7, 2005.
The following notable organisations
represented were the Nigeria Liberty
Forum, Champions For Nigeria, Citizens
For Change, Action Congress UK, Ekiti
Patriotic Front UK, UPCINN, Arise
Nigeria Organisation and Save Nigeria
Group UK.
In order to stress that this protest is
not about any tribe or race in Nigeria,
speeches were given in Hausa, Yoruba and
Igbo (the three major languages of
Nigeria) and duly interpreted to the
enthusiastic crowd with great applause.
The protest moved to the Nigeria High
Commission in Northumberland Avenue,
going through Whitehall (the stronghold
of the UK Civil Service, passing in
front of 10 Downing Street and the Horse
Guards, and then on to Trafalgar Square
to arrive at the Nigerian High
Commission, where the protest continued
and where representatives of the major
organisations submitted protest letters
and petitions to our diplomatic
representatives for onward transmission
to the Federal Government of Nigeria in
Abuja.
The well-attended rally only had two
uniformed British police officers
assigned to the event, a clear
indication that the
United Kingdom authorities, whose
permission to hold the rally had to be
sought and given, are very much
conscious of the fact that Nigerians
living abroad are generally
law-abiding. The uniformed police
officers even too pictures with the
demonstrators and just watched passively
and benignly, asking us questions and
getting answers about our country.
 
A majority of the Nigerians had taken
the day off work and travelled long
distances to be part of history in
London. They had come from far places
in the Midland England, Scotland, Wales,
Ireland and France to witness the
historic event despite the freezing
weather.
Comrade Abdul Mahmud gave the vote of
thanks at about 530 pm to round up the
peaceful demonstration that started at
11.45 am, expressing gratitude to all
Nigerians that contributed to the
success of the protest and hope to see
them again for further protests to
demand for credible, democratic and
transparent leadership in Nigeria.
It was a historic and poignant day for
Nigerians in the
UK
and indeed, all over the world. There
are sure to be more protests in other
world capitals. Despite the presence of
the opposition political party, Action
Congress, UK Chapter, the protest was
largely non-partisan and non-political,
but mainly humanity oriented. Every
Nigerian, irrespective of political
affiliation, tribal or religion was
welcome.
The recognition and commendation for the
success of this protest march,
unarguably the first of its kind in the
Diaspora, should go to Kayode Ogundamisi
of the NLF and Ms Abby Ojo of the
UPCINN. And of course, to all Nigerians
who braved the weather to make a stand
and to make a point or two to our
Government in
Nigeria.
 
As a Nigerian and as a Champion, I was
glad and proud to be there. |
