The Fuel Subsidy Protests - It's Ups and Downs

Considering the insults on Nigerians during the one - week protests/strike against the fuel subsidy removal and the aftermath when the FG deliberately sent soldiers to occupy OJOTA ahead of the protesters' arrival on the following Monday WITH GUNS,it's most glaring that the government that we have in this country do not bloody care how we fare,their primary concern is how to loot the more without being detected!But,for how long shall these people deny us our birthrights while we stand by and look???I say "enough is enough"! Just like any other Nigerian.But,is it enough to just say those words,wouldn't it be more meaningful if I can act on my words?
Honestly,I was surprised at the turn out for the protest,the more surprising is the fact that civil societies are now starting to live up to their responsibilities; meaning that subsequent protests/strikes shall be more interesting and dramatic than the usual 'hide and seek' games the NLC plays.Now,that is one BIG plus of the protests/strikes - it has successfully jolted our civil societies to their responsibilities.
Another rather interesting development was the free flow of information during the protests.People were suddenly aware of things that they were totally ignorant of,they got suddenly informed and things got worse for the government so much so that they have now lost so much ground with the people that PDP can not actually boast of people's support as before.I think this is good,very good for our democracy.
However,I shall implore civil societies to seize the opportunity presented by the protests/strike to step up efforts on civic education as that is where their power to win the government lies.The more informed are the people of their civic rights and responsibilities,the more in control they are and the more probable that they shall stand to fight for them!
Politicians over the years have been feeding fat on the ignorance of the general populace.The fact that most Nigerians are unaware of the kind of power they possess as citizens of this great country has made their manipulation pretty easy.I wish the civil societies both online and offline would see these loop holes and block them effectively against 2015 elections.
These societies should find a medium of communicating to Nigerians both in English and in local dialects of the people and use such mediums to awake the sense of patriotism in them so that they can stand up and fight for their own civic rights.
Talk of constitution amendments,fuel subsidy,deregulation of the oil sector and general improvement of the economy are just but a few areas where much work need to be done so as to ensure that the people knows and appreciate the present situation we find ourselves today as a country and most importantly,what can be done to improve it.
The Downs however,includes the fact that some people lost their lives during the struggle,May the Good Lord Make them rest in perfect peace.Ameen.
A second 'Down' is the fact that Labor,in the end disappointed Nigerians by calling off the strike.We understand the calling off of street protests but calling off the strike,ESPECIALLY when people had gone all out on a "panic buying fever" over the weekend in hope of and SUPPORT for the continuation of the protest/strike.It was quiet disappointing indeed.I really wish the civil society would take control of the strike next time!
Be as it may,I believe the government too have learnt a bitter lesson too - never ever to under estimate the power of the people and that,thanks to the social media outlets like the twitter and facebook,Nigerians are better informed and updated.
For the sake of emphasis,I'm imploring the civil society groups to go live and active on these social medias to pass useful information from time to time to the people as well as sponsor programs on radios and T.V.s to enlighten,educate and create awareness with the people on the need to come together as one to fight bribery,corruption and bad governance to a stand still!
God Bless Nigeria,
Long live My Fatherland!!!
Regards,
Abdurrahman,
http://www.jainx.com