December 22, 2024
By Adedoja Adesoji
The Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) has condemned calls by younger people for Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka and prominent human rights activist Mr. Femi Falana to lead mass protests against the situation in Nigeria.
According to the NHRC, these calls are “driven by complete lack of any sense of history” and are motivated by a combination of ignorance, lack of education, and ethnic bigotry.
The group expressed concern about mock video clips circulating online, in which some young people accuse Soyinka and Falana of being silent in the face of the country’s challenges. The NHRC described these critics as “ignorant” and “misguided,” stating that they “spend most of their time in either parties, beer parlours or on social media” instead of working towards meaningful change.
“We wish to remind these people, mostly young people, that their actions constitute a drawback to the rich heritage of democratic struggle that the two figures represent in the history of Nigeria,” the NHRC said in a statement signed by its officials, Taiwo Adeleke and Digifa Werenipre.
The group argued that Soyinka and Falana have dedicated their lives to fighting for justice and human rights in Nigeria, with Soyinka beginning his activism at the age of 21 and Falana starting even earlier.
“Both have put in between 45 to 65 years of their lifetime in the ceaseless and tireless struggle for a better Nigeria at the risk of their lives,” the NHRC stated.
The group challenged the young critics to provide alternatives and take the lead in the battle for freedom and change.
“When Soyinka and Falana were younger, they did not look up to the older generation to liberate them. They rather discovered the mission of their own generation and fulfilled it,” the NHRC said.
“We challenge those young critics to provide alternatives. We challenge you to lead the battle for the freedom of your generation.” Group added.
