By Durojaiye Akeem Olalekan
Once upon a time, Ikorodu was the envy of other communities in Lagos. It was a place with so much unquenchable thirst for social events especially the weekends ‘owambe’, and funfare. It was the sanctuary for every top-notched socialite in Lagos and beyond.
Impeccable to note also that, the History of Nigeria will be incomplete without special chapters dedicated to notable sons and daughters of ‘Oga’ who distinguished themselves in the different areas of human life such as in commerce, legal, politics, humanity and art, education, and engineering and science. Not surprising, just a decade ago, Ikorodu was the fastest growing community in Lagos.
Then the thunder struck and everything changed. Since I wrote last on this senseless and gruesome killing, I decided to distance myself from commenting on it but the Ikorodu in me couldn’t allow looking away. Unfortunately the killing has doubled with a new twist (recording the killing) added to it. With the recent dehumanising act, I think the “save our soul” appeal should be escalated to State and National Assemblies as a matter of urgency. It should not be subsumed under the banditry killing debate as debated on the 4th June at the House of Representatives.
Though I am afraid of the socio-economic effect of this terrific killing on Ikorodu development and its future, I am more petrified about the psychological damage this may cause in the long term especially on the younger generation. It seems to me that when we eventually stop the killing spree probably through force and punitive measures, the psychological damage will take decades to rebuild.
People are living in fear and bondage.
Parents are not sleeping with their eyes closed anymore. Traders cannot sell their goods in peace. Landlords and tenants are abandoning their properties. No… NO….NO….This is not Ikorodu I grew up. The seeming silence of Lagos State Government on this issue is deafening and shameful. The main responsibility of a State is to protect lives and properties.
….. Who is benefiting from destabilising Ikorodu?
My message to the government is well captured in Elie Wiesel saying:
“Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant”.
Durojaiye Akeem Olalekan
Social commentator/activist
