Securing the Revival: The extraordinary courage of the Nigerian Youths

Dear Reader, what a time to be alive! In a few of my past articles, I have mentioned that I’m Nigerian by origin. Some of you readers are Nigerian but the other readers may not be. As a result, I will enlighten you on what has been going on in Nigeria (#EndSARS). The revival we see is courtesy of the courageous Nigerian Youths and the faithfulness of God.

#EndSARS

In 1992, SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) started operations. The officials of this unit had previously been authorised to dress in mufti outfits for their activities.

However, this same unit responsible for the safety of the Nigerian citizen has continuously abused their power. This has occurred in various forms of physical, emotional, sexual and psychological abuse on the Nigerian citizen.

There have been previous clamours for #EndSARS with the Government disbanding, dissolving and renaming severally. All these have ruffled the Nigerian youths and created a trust deficit in the Government.

In early October, a video circulating on social media once again triggered the #EndSARS movement. For more information about the #EndSARS movement :

• You can search for it using these hashtags on Twitter and Instagram (#EndSARS #SARSMUSTGO #EndSWAT)
• Click on this link: End SARS
• Read the references at the bottom of the link in the line above
• You can get more information from various International Media Corporations
• Please remember to validate your sources of information.

Technically, the main victims of the SARS are young people between the ages of 18 to 30. They can be tortured, raped, robbed at gunpoint or worse killed.

As the protests continue, you can prayerfully support this protest, click on this link. You can also spread information about what’s happening in Nigeria OR you can donate. There’s a need to feed, provide healthcare, legal aid and a lot more for the protesters.

The link to donate is here , everyday an update and report is given on the finances. Every penny is accounted for, don’t worry it won’t be swindled. Update: Donations are no longer being collected, Thank you!

Nigerian Youths: For the show of courage

For you the Nigerian youth vested in this protest: Thank you for refusing to be silent! Thank you for refusing to be bought over! Thank you for constantly discomforting yourself to bring about change. E for Energy!!

On behalf of your parents, I say we are proud of you! Their generation couldn’t do what you are doing. Some parents may not understand now but thank you for crying out for them also.

I salute your courage and determination! Please don’t forget:

‘But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. ‘

Matthew 12:25

To our Parent’s generation: No blame game

Did you ever imagine your phone pressing children will do something of this magnitude? No you didn’t. Actually, the only time some parents protested may have been when MKO Abiola won the elections. I’ll leave a link for those interested in MKO Abiola’s story; Click here.

Right now, you may not understand why your children are protesting. However, SARS doesn’t separate your morally upright children from others. Everyone can be a victim including you.

You are not to blame for the country we have but your support will go a long way to change it. Your children have started and God sees their hearts, they need your voice now. Not tomorrow or next week now, the more voices there are, the profound the pressure.

There has been a lot of fear spread through your generation but it can no longer hold you down. Fear and Faith can’t work in the same boat! We know you settled but now, we’re telling you: Your children can have it all if your voice is out with ours.

The mainstream media may not be telling you everything, speak to your children now more than ever. There are a lot of things they see first-hand.

Thank you for being amazing parents!

Where does God come in this entire situation?

The Bible says in Psalm 118:24 “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it”. There have been so many prayer warriors and strategists who are heeding God’s call. It’s surreal to see that God is finally doing a new thing; For this day we prayed.

My Own Context

Recently, I studied the book of Zephaniah and there were some verses that stood out to me. Kindly read them and see what God is saying to me:

Don’t be complacent during this time (Zephaniah 1:12); You need to choose a side.

“And it shall come to pass at that time That I will search Jerusalem with lamps, And punish the men Who are settled in complacency, Who say in their heart, ‘The Lord will not do good, Nor will He do evil.’ Zephaniah 1:12

God is constantly with you, there’s no need to fear (Zephaniah 3:17):

‘The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”’ Zephaniah 3:17

Justice will be meted out as appropriate and a new dawn is here to stay (Zephaniah 3:19-20):

‘Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, And gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame In every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will bring you back, Even at the time I gather you; For I will give you fame and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I return your captives before your eyes,” Says the Lord .’ Zephaniah 3:19-20

The context in which I understand is what I’m using here; You may understand it differently than I do.

End Note

The 50th post of this blog is hereby dedicated to the Nigerian Youths. Their tenacity and sheer will, alongside God’s guidance guarantee us a light at the end of the tunnel.

My mum prays this a lot for my siblings and I “E ma to wa, E ma ju wa lo”. It’s in Yoruba -a native language in Nigeria-, it specifically means “You will reach us and You will surpass us”. Now is the time to surpass them, Your voice matters!

“When the Lord turned around the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream” – Psalm 126:1