Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) has criticised those saying Wole Soyinka, the Nobel laureate, and Femi Falana should lead a protest against hardship.
Gatekeepers News reports that NHRC in a statement released by Taiwo Adeleke and Digifa Werenipre, NHRC’s officials, said the people compelling the duo to be the frontliners of the demonstration, lack a sense of history.
The group expressed concerns about persistent accusations that the Nobel laureate and the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) have been silent in the face of the economic downturn.
NHRC noted that Soyinka and Falana have for decades, been at the forefront of activism demanding good governance.
The group urged youths to emulate Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, by fighting for justice and equity.
The statement reads, “We wish to remind these people, mostly young people, that their actions constitute a drawback to the rich heritage of democratic struggle the two figures represent in the history of Nigeria.”
“We urge younger ones to learn from Mr Omoyele Sowore and emulate his sterling contributions to democracy and justice for over 30 years of his life.”
NHRC added that while it is time for Soyinka to rest, Falana has continued his advocacy by taking up pro bono cases, with some against the current administration.
The group challenged the youths to be bold enough to lead the protest they seek, rather than condemn “older people who have risked their lives countless times” in the struggle for a greater Nigeria.
It said, “Some of them believe the word activism makes sense only when speaking in support of Obidients indicating their narrow mindset about what it means to change a country for the better.”
“We are seeing a generation of lousy, lazy and completely ignorant youths whose basic agenda is to destroy Nigerian heroes thereby serving the interests of the government and the ruling class who oppress Nigerians.”
“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.”
“We challenge you to take the bull by the horns and provide alternative leadership for change instead of taking up the professional duty of running down those that have established milestones in the struggle for a better Nigeria.”
