Soro Soke

The past weeks in October, we saw a generation stand up against an archaic government

We saw the strength to keep fighting despite the odds stacked against us

We saw the tears and blood smeared on our faces

We saw sweat stains from standing under the sun

We heard our voices go hoarse from screaming for freedom

My generation gave the government a hard pill to swallow; we did not inherit our parent’s silence

We came together regardless of our tribe, gender, or religion

The women leading the coalition with tact and grace

It was a beauty to behold.

At the moment, we mourn the lives lost for fighting for that freedom

We grieve the senseless murder of innocent lives who had nothing but the Nigerian flags to defend themselves

In war, there are casualties, painful ones. The government has given us the impression that they won the battle. What they don’t know is that the war has just begun

History will always remember the victors and not the vanquished

20th October 2020 will be the day we remember the victors who stood their ground and proudly sang the national anthem:

Peace and Unity

Truth and Justice shall reign

The labor of our heroes shall never be in vain…

The morale of the country seems to be low

The government is trying to erase our history

We are trying to mend wounds

Heal our broken hearts

And the question on everyone’s lips:

What next?

The simple answer:

SORO SOKE- SPEAK LOUDER.

Your voice is your weapon, it has always been.

Not only for this End Sars movement but for every movement.

In your homes, your workplace, your personal life

Speak louder

For so long, we have accepted mediocrity from every corner including ourselves

We have accepted a mediocre standard of living

Today, the revolution begins

Now is the time to speak louder

Be Louder, take up space

You are that space

Set your world on fire and and blaze your trail

When you are backed into a corner, push harder till the walls crumble

When they cannot hear you, scream louder till your demands are met

If something steals your joy, run faster for it and reclaim it

Tomorrow is not guaranteed, live each day fuller than the day before

For all the times you let yourself down, forgive yourself even more

They called us lazy youths, work harder- be the standard of excellence

Take a seat at the table and speak louder remembering you represent an entire generation

Women, don’t break the glass ceiling, shatter it to pieces

Love yourself harder in these moments, do not accept a mediocre love when you can give yourself so much more

When the pain becomes unbearable, cry harder, feel the pain and let each tear fuel you to become a beast

When you get tired, sleep longer and dream of a better future

In moments of celebrations, laugh harder, laughter is the best medicine for our broken hearts.

In a bid to erase our identity, remember who you are

We are Nigerians, no matter the high seas we sail for a better life, Nigeria is our motherland, she is home

Love her with everything you have, fight for her and save her for the next generation; our children

2020 has taught me this: closed mouths don’t get fed- if you want something, you have to ask.

We want our freedom

We want justice and accountability

We want peace and prosperity

We want equality and fairness

And this time we are not asking nicely

No, we demand it by speaking louder

The revolution has just begun…

Soro Soke.

Dedicated to Oke Obi- Enadhuze and every life lost at the Lekki Toll bridge

Nigeria will not end us

No, Nigeria is about to witness a glorious beginning.