4911 km
4911.
4911km.
4911 is the number of kilometres that separate Italy from Nigeria. Many, few, perhaps too many, or even not enough kilometres, it’s just a question of perspective. A perspective that we choose to implant in ourselves when we listen to the news on the radio, watch the TV news or read an article.
But now I’m asking you to put that cup of coffee on the desk.
I’m asking you to stop rushing your fingers on the home page of I don’t know which social.
I’m asking for two minutes of your precious time.
I don’t know if you’re a woman, a man, or a child, and I don’t know your personality or even your characteristics, but I’m sure of one thing: you’re a human being.
Rub your eyes, and accompany me in this little reflection.
All of us humans have voices, right? We also know that our voice is perceived differently in voice messages, with a microphone or live. We always worry if our voice is perfect if the tone is quite formal and who knows, sometimes, we listen again to pick up some grammatical errors. We listen and listen to our voice; we do not distance ourselves from the ego even a little.
Today I am tired of listening to my voice, and I will spare you this effort too. Today I want you to hear the voice of the thousands and thousands of people who keep being silent, isolated, like in a frozen bubble. I want my voice to become the voice of those who are too distant to be heard or are afraid to do so.
Today I will be the voice of all Nigerian citizens because they too have the right to make themselves heard by overcoming any barrier, temporal, spatial or racial. There is no need to be Nigerian or to live in Nigeria to realize the brutality of the actions that are happening there.
In 1992 SARS was created: "Special Anti-Robbery Squad", a unit of the Nigerian Police Force. It was created after the armed robbery became rampant as soon as most of the army and police resources were used to find the person who killed a colonel in the Nigerian Army at a checkpoint in Lagos.
Since its creation, SARS has abused its power by detaining, murdering, raping, extorting and stealing money from the same citizens they are supposed to protect.
We’ve all read numerous tweets and Instagram posts about the numerous protests that have taken place recently, but how many of you have actually opened a Google page to understand what was going on?
We are always too busy incessantly procrastinating during our days, complaining about our problems sitting on the couch, but without moving a single finger to do something to change it. And that’s why I decided to spend a few words because if my fingers that are moving fast on the keyboard can shake some soul, I’ll know deep down not to have wasted time.
The #ENDSARS movement was born online and saw countless testimonies, and heartbreaking videos that prove the raw reality of innocent people. Young people between the ages of 18 and 35, belonging to the most vulnerable groups in Nigerian society, are being killed day after day and are being tortured while we are quietly eating our hot meals.
The aim of the movement is to end the silence of the Government, which has not been able to respond with appropriate reforms. The state of Nigeria is in itself rich in social inequalities and is undemocratic in the management of power. SARS can only worsen an already disastrous base situation. The members of this unit are used to be the instigators of humiliation, detention, killing, robbery, torture, rape, extrajudicial and arbitrary extortion. Rich or poor you are, SARS has no limits.
The demand of the numerous protestors for Nigerian President Buhari is to definitively dismantle SARS. There are many voices that have taken to the streets to express their dissent, including several feminist activists, with the sole intention of reforming the forces of law and order in the Country. But it is not enough, unfortunately, since their voice still remains dim and subtle.
This is a huge violation of human rights, our human rights. It is a violently and ignobly take away of our freedom.
I don’t care if you’re black or white, Muslim or Jewish, because deep down, you’re a human being. You’re just as much a child of this Earth as they are, and your financial condition doesn’t make you more or less important.
The 4911 kilometres is not a good enough excuse not to support the voice of those who really need it right now. The fact that television, newspapers or radio choose what to talk about is not an excuse to ignore a problem that is too "uncomfortable".
Deep down, I still trust that you, you’re reading right now. I know you’re going to make their voice heard, too, without uncertainties, because that’s what humans do.
Before shutting down the screen, one last favour. Look out the sky from the window. It’s the same sky that’s watching that Nigerian kid right now, did you know it?
4991 kilometres.
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Published on @OLTREURLO