Dual Protests: Two Deaf Groups Raise Their Voices, By Dele Sobowale

Dual Protests: Two Deaf Groups Raise Their Voices, By Dele Sobowale

Deaf people can do anything hearing people can do except hear” – King Jordan, the first deaf President of Gallaudet University, 1988…….. CONTINUE READING

By the time you read this article, there will likely be at least two protests underway in response to widespread hunger and hardship across the country. Ironically, those protesting against the Federal Government have issued threats that have caused panic among all levels of government, both federal and state. Efforts to dissuade the organizers have failed, and all the influential figures—ranging from the Presidency and National Assembly to Governors, Ministers, Traditional Rulers, Religious leaders, business leaders, and prominent journalists—have been summoned to Aso Rock for discussions with President Tinubu.

These meetings have likely included lavish lunches featuring the finest food Nigeria has to offer. In exchange, participants have urged the protest organizers to abandon their plans, arguing that “Tinubu has Nigeria’s best interests at heart,” warning that the protest could be hijacked by hoodlums and turn violent, suggesting that protesters should embrace dialogue and offer constructive criticism instead, and reminding that Tinubu inherited a severely damaged economy from his predecessor.

As O. Henry once said, “Love, and business and family and religion and art and patriotism are nothing but shadows of words when a man is starving.”

Despite the assurances from Nigerian leaders, it is clear their statements do not reflect the true sentiments of their followers. No traditional ruler or religious leader can genuinely speak for the millions suffering from hunger. Leaders from groups like the Arewa Consultative Forum, Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, ASUU, and SANU have advised against participating in the protests, often driven by their own self-interests.

A familiar pattern emerges when looking at these groups. Similar entities withdrew support during protests against Abacha in 1994 and later participated in Abacha’s Constitutional Conference, which I had called ‘A Ship of Fools.’ They have again flocked to Aso Rock to express solidarity with the current administration and advise against the protests, echoing past failures to address the demand for good governance.

The situation is dire: pervasive hunger, insecurity, scarcity, and rising inflation will dominate the Nigerian economy for years. With low crude oil production limiting economic growth and high-level corruption persisting, hunger will remain a significant issue. This crisis may last several years, regardless of protests. Both protestors and critics will suffer, and neither side can fully address the problem of widespread hunger and discontent.

**My Advice to Both Sides**

As Geoffrey Chaucer said, “Who takes advice shall never fare the worse.”

Currently, both the protesters and the government supporters resemble two deaf groups shouting at each other. Past advice has often gone unheeded by both sides, and decisions made by those in power frequently exacerbate issues. Despite this, it is the role of opinion makers to offer guidance.

Palliatives, such as those provided earlier this year, are not a sustainable solution. For example, Mrs. X, a mother of five, praised the palliatives when she first received them but has since joined the protests once the aid ran out. Palliatives cannot replace long-term solutions. The goal should be to shorten the period until Nigerians can afford regular meals.

Protesters should limit their demonstrations to two or three days to avoid fatigue, as governments cannot quickly reduce food prices. The issue of banditry in farming communities across the North further complicates food production. The Federal Government cannot perform miracles to address these issues.

The government should cease entertaining traditional rulers and religious leaders who contribute little. Instead, President Tinubu should address the public directly, providing a transparent recovery plan and clarifying that food production is largely a state responsibility due to the 1978 Land Use Decree. State governments should take charge of food production, with clear targets for agricultural output.

**Urban Food Warriors to the Rescue**

As Gamaliel Onosode said, “An activist is not the person who says the room is dirty. A real activist is the person who cleans up the room.”

One practical solution to increase food production quickly is to engage about 100,000 Urban Food Warriors, eventually expanding to five million. These urban gardeners can produce food in city environments, avoiding the risks faced by rural farmers. This approach could provide immediate relief and support long-term food security.

Protests should be brief to avoid diminishing returns, and the government and security agencies should ensure the safety of all participants. We should demonstrate that Nigeria’s democracy is maturing by resolving these issues constructively. Although I would have participated, my health constraints prevent me from doing so.

**Losing Loved Ones and Losing Money**

As Mr. Frazier once noted, “Undertakers are the only people who love corpses. For them, that is food on the table.”

Mr. Frazier’s words ring true in Nigeria today, where people are often overcharged for coffins and caskets in times of grief. Given the current economic hardship, it is wise to seek expert advice to avoid unnecessary expenses. For instance, one family saved N500,000 on a single coffin by seeking informed guidance.

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