Post by Toluwalope Olojo (@ToluTunde)

"I never got to see any posts from you on Children's Day, which came as a surprise to me."
‎I was actually surprised and humbled to hear that, because I never knew someone out there was actually looking forward to read from me.
‎
‎---------
‎Due to the nature of my work, every May 27th has always been a very busy and fun-filled day, but this year's seemed to pass me by just like any other day.
‎
‎Let me tell you why.
‎I was left traumatized by a video shown to me by a colleague of mine. It was on the Whatsapp status of a friend of his, and he casually asked me to take a look, without any trigger warning. 😡
‎
‎I was at first confused and asked him what was going on in the clip, is it a skit or what? Then, he said those are the children captured by the Islamic extremist...and I lost it.
‎
‎Till now, I can't unsee what I saw. The scene kept replaying in my head...OMG!
‎If the content of that 30 seconds clip I watched is real, which is shocking and sickening enough, I am more appalled that Nigeria is moving on as if nothing is wrong.
‎
‎I can't bring myself to watch any of these videos posted online by these bloodsucking demons disguising as agents of God, because a particular video I once watched of a family being burnt alive and that of a pastor being beheaded have never left me. As a result, I couldn't bring myself to watch this recent one...at the moment, I have got no shock-absorber for my emotions.
‎
‎So, what should I have come online to say on Children's Day? Celebrate our children or to join the bandwagon showing solidarity for the children in captivity? We all know that the solidarity shown by many is only meant for the social media space.
‎
‎Is this the first time we'll be having children abducted from their schools by these same bloodsucking demons?
‎What did we do then?
‎What are we doing now?
‎
‎An enemy that has been afflicting an acquittance for long, but we turned a deaf ear because it's not someone close, has caught up with one of our own - Our relative, Our children!
‎
‎A foreign elderly priest will always tell me he marvels at how Nigerians move on, despite every odds against them. He says, what happens to making our leaders accountable? Why is no one talking? Every single time, I never got the right answers for him.
‎
‎On this year's Children's Day. I didn't know what to post, not because I was devoid of ideas, but because I am also complicit in this matter.
‎❗Complicit because I am avoiding watching the video, due to my 'selfish' interest. (You know, perhaps if I don't watch, I'll be able to move on as if nothing is wrong.)
‎❗Complicit because I have been doing little in my closet.
‎❗ Complicit because I'm not using my words and pen enough.
‎At this point, let me ask you too. How complicit are you in this matter?
‎
-----------
‎However, like it is said, little drops of water makes a mighty ocean. Perhaps, these online solidarity can be counted as doing something, but is it enough to spur our leaders into action?
‎
‎Now, that the chickens have come home to roost, how sure are we that it won't be at our backyard?
‎
‎Nigeria, which way?
©Toluwalope Olojo
‎
‎#Nigeriangovernment
‎#SouthWestNigeria
‎#Nigerianteacher
‎#Nigerianchildren
‎#bringbackourchildren
‎#Islamicextremist
‎#Insecurity
‎#Childprotection

0 likes · 0 comments · 0 shares