THISDAY STYLE MAGAZINE 1ST NOVEMBER 2020

...NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU’RE NOT IN STYLE

LAGOS CITY HALL

OBA OF LAGOS PALACE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2020 1 NOVEMBER

LAGOS HIGH COURT IGBOSERE

N O I T C U R T S E D N O T N A W S G N I T O LO D N A E G A N R A C #

S S O R G A S A L D F N #OE TS! S E TC E O R P I E T E P EE R T S E T H HP T OGM U R F S I N EK C I VPO I C

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CONTENT THE CARNAGE AND THE SPOILS PG 4-6

BEING OUR BROTHER’S KEEPER PG 18-19

SOME VICTIMS OF THE CARNAGE PG 8-14

THE GOOD DEEDS OF THE PROTESTERS PG 20

SOME OF THE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTIES PG 16-17

MORE PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES PG 22

It’s by now a well-worn script world over: faced with social injustices and unaddressed grievances, mass numbers of people mobilize to protest publicly, and sometimes that action is hijacked by hoodlums who take advantage of the situation to express acts of violence and vandalism. This is what happened with the recent wanton destruction of Lagos state. The STYLE team report...

THISDAY STYLE FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR RUTH OSIME

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EDITOR PRINT OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI EDITOR DIGITAL KONYE NWABOGOR

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SENIOR ART DESIGNER MATHIAS ARCHIBONG 07054965500 CONTRIBUTORS RUKY SALAKO ISIOMA USIADE IYANU AYODELE GUEST CORRESPONDENTS AZUKA OGUJIUBA ZINA ANUMUDU JOANNA MACGREGOR SEYI ALAWODE PHOTOGRAPHER TY BELLO DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196

During these turbulent times, there were many videos flying around. Some of them real, some of them fake. Amidst the videos was one of Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El Rufai where he spoke about about the ‘quality or lack thereof’ of elected officials meant to serve the people who voted them into power. He went further to state that there are many ‘bad people’ in politics simply because the ‘good people’ don’t want to get their hands dirty in the murky waters of politics. This comment did not come as a surprise because there is bitter truth in what he said. After all, how do we expect the change we yearn for if we are not willing to get into the battlefield and fight for it? How many of us have been to meetings in our various constituencies to stay abreast and play a significant role in the voting processes of our representatives. If intellectually savvy people are not involved at this level how do we expect to have an impact at the much higher level?

Yes, the thought of plunging into a terrain like politics is most daunting to say the least but we need that courage, we need the determination and we need the adequate support required for any educated, well exposed person that decides to come forward. Only then, can we begin to break down this invisible wall between the enlightened and educated against the primitive and backward. This difference played a major role in the hijacking of the recent peaceful #endsars protests. The young, mostly educated youths turned out enmasse to fight for change. But aside from these youths, where those who only understand the language their hungry stomachs dictated to them. The former, with good intentions and highly altruistic motives unfortunately took no notice of the latter factor. The latter, largely hopeless, deranged, emotively motivated who hugely have nothing to live for, simply destroyed the scientific efforts of 12 days anchored and nurtured by the former, in just two days. They created the ‘torture room’ of the otherwise peaceful protesters. Warehouses were looted. Shops were looted. Buildings were burnt. Historical monuments ravaged. Businesses that took many years to build, were destroyed in hours! Who do you blame? The impoverished youths, or the country that made them monsters?

Now the storm is over, the ruins remain staring us in the face. A stark reality of the reflection of the times. We watch our government squirm and try to put the spilt milk back in the can. Not possible. They have stirred the hornets nest and we watch as they try to or at least ‘seem’ to try to correct their wrong albeit still failing woefully.

This is a wake up call. The youths now realize getting the Nigeria they want is in their hands. We can only pray and watch as their goal unfolds. They have age on their side. I pray for a Nigeria that they will, one day, be proud to call ‘their own’ in time to come!

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FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

#carnageandlootings

THE CARNAGE AND THE SPOILS

COVER

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

Before

After

BY KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR

It’s by now a well-worn script world over: faced with social injustices and unaddressed grievances, mass numbers of people mobilize to protest publicly, and sometimes that action is hijacked by hoodlums who take advantage of the situation to express acts of violence and vandalism.

This, right here, was the situation with the #endsars movement in Lagos, as what began as a protest against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad become a conduit for hoodlums to negatively vent their anger by carrying out attacks which ranged from arson, destruction of properties, and looting of valuables in the state. It was like a raging volcano exploded as the streets were filled with hoodlums destroying and looting everything in sight without a care in the world. For once, they had the chance to vent out their frustrations by a government that failed them. A government that did not care about the common man. A government that has reduced them to a state of no return. A government they were determined to bring to its knees so their anger could be felt and their lamentations heard. Never in the history of Lagos has the state witnessed such carnage that made all the inhabitants quiver with fear. No one felt safe in their homes. No one could step out.

All we saw were videos of properties destroyed and reduced to rumbles. The pictures sent a harrowing chill down the spine of all who saw and watched in amazement as the destructions and lootings took place. It was a free for all carnage spree and the fact that so much damage could be done within a short space of time felt like the state was at war with its citizens. A war that strongly tilted in the favour of the hoodlums because like an angry enraged lion, hungry for blood, they could not be pacified. They wanted blood. At all costs!

Within 48 hours, the hoodlums destroyed properties, businesses and valuables worth billions of naira. Some of them landmark locations and historical monuments.

While these structures might be easy to rebuild, the historical assets which surround these monuments are forever lost.

The destruction of property and injuring of innocent people is not only a perversion of our Constitutional freedoms but also a perversion of the peaceful demonstrations by those attempting to get police reforms.

While we heal as a nation, we should bear this in mind and also heed to the wise words of the great Martin Luther King Jr; “The strong man is the man who will not hit back, who can stand up for his rights and yet not hit back.”

Before

HIGH COURT OF LAGOS

Before

After

OBA OF LAGOS PALACE

After

BRIEF HISTORY OF DESTROYED MONUMENTS CITY HALL Built by Lagos State Government in 1900. Demolished in 1998. Rebuilt in 2009.

The Lagos City Hall, established in 1900, was the secretariat of the oldest local government in Nigeria. It is located within the Brazilian quarters, right in the center of the Lagos business district.

Re-modelled and renovated to its present modern look by the Babatunde Fashola administration, it is now a major event center and tourist attraction.

The City Hall used to be the local government headquarters with other area offices serving the entire local governments in colonial Lagos and after Nigeria’s independence. The City hall was the fountain of local government administration in Nigeria and the secretariat of the Lagos Island local government, the doyen of Nigeria’s native or grassroots administration The City Hall Lagos is a historical monument of enviable architectural grandeur, a symbol of the rich culture of the Lagos Island people, and the latest address for exclusive events, entertainment and tourism.

LAGOS CITY HALL

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#carnageandlootings B R I E F

H I S TO R Y

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D E S T R OY E D

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

M O N U M E N T S

LAGOS HIGH COURT Built in 1967, the same year Lagos state was formed. Oldest and most recognizable Judicial Building In Nigeria.

The Lagos City Hall, established in 1900, was the secretariat of the oldest local government in Nigeria. It is located within the Brazilian quarters, right in the center of the Lagos business district.

Re-modelled and renovated to its present modern look by the Babatunde Fashola administration, it is now a major event center and tourist attraction.

The City Hall used to be the local government headquarters with other area offices serving the entire local governments in colonial Lagos and after Nigeria’s independence. The City hall was the fountain of local government administration in Nigeria and the secretariat of the Lagos Island local government, the doyen of Nigeria’s native or grassroots administration The City Hall Lagos is a historical monument of enviable architectural grandeur, a symbol of the rich culture of the Lagos Island people, and the latest address for exclusive events, entertainment and tourism.

SENIOR STAFF OF THE FEDERAL LEGAL DEPARTMENT (NOW FEDERAL MINISTRY OF JUSTICE)ON THE STEPS OF THE LAW COURTS BUILDING, LAGOS 1959

IGA IDUNGARAN OBA OF LAGOS PALACE The ancient palace was initially built around 1630 and the modern part was completed in 1960. The Portuguese added to the ancient building in 1670.

The Oba of Lagos’s Palace is also known as Iga Idugaran. Since the 15th century, it has been the official residence of the Oba of Lagos. It was originally owned by Lagos Island’s first inhabitant, Chief Aromire, who hailed from Ile-Ife and initially used the land on which the palace now stands, as a fishing post and pepper farm.

The origin of the land on which it is built informs its name. Iga, in the ancient Oyo/Ife Yoruba language, means royal home; Idun means land; while Igaran, means pepper. Hence, Iga Iduganran translates to mean the palace being built on a pepper farm. The palace itself was built in 1670 for Oba Gabaro, the third Oba of Lagos by the Portuguese who brought in the building materials from their homeland. The palace was further rebuilt and commissioned on October 1, 1960 by the then Prime Minister of Nigeria, Tafawa Balewa. The palace underwent further modernization by the trio of Obas: Oba AdenijiAdele II, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan II and Oba Akiolu.

CORPORATE PALLIATIVES AND DONATIONS LAGOS STATE PROVIDES SUPPORT

The Lagos state Government through the twitter handle of Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, has announced that it will give support to all store owners whose stores were vandalized and looted when the #EndSARS protest was usurped by hoodlums in the Lagos metropolis. Hamzat explained that the support initiative will would be handled by the Lagos state employment trust fund (LSETF) and will provide relief for persons whose stores were affected as a result of the #EndSARS crisis.

He tweeted “If you are a Lagos based business and your store got looted/vandalized this week, please fill this form by @LSETFhttps://t.co/lwPiXvFzTp. Lets do what we can to support you.

This is welcoming initiative considering the havoc and effect of the widespread violence the hoodlums caused in the state.

DIAMOND ACCESS BANK INTEREST FREE LOANS FOR AFFECTED STORE OWNERS

With the impact of Covid-19 pandemic followed by the hijack of the #EndSARS protests by hoodlums resulting in the looting and vandalisation of many SMEs and businesses, leading financial institution, Access bank, has commenced the disbursement of N50 billion interestfree loans and grants in support of Nigerians, communities, the youths, and micro, small and medium-sized businesses that were wrecked by hoodlums in the wake of the protest against police brutality in the country.

The the institution says the loans would be targeted at customers of the financial institution across its Medium Small and Micro Entrepreneurs(MSME) business, commercial banking customers as well as corporate banking customers affected by the looting and arson. This loan will help alleviate and stimulate economic activities, as well as produce many positive multiplier effects on the Nigerian economy.

BEER SECTORAL GROUP STEPS UP TO HELP

Following the looting and destruction of properties by hoodlums which ensued during the #EndSARS protest in Lagos, the Beer SectoralGroup (BSG) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has created a N50million fund to support those affected by looting and vandalisaion.

A statement by the BSG, said: “Over the past few days, we have all witnessed the sad events that have taken place in our beloved country Nigeria. What commenced as a peaceful movement was overrun and became marred by violence, resulting in loss of lives and property across our nation.

The Beer Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria is committed to Nigeria, to the inclusivity and to the valuing of each other. We, therefore, denounce the violence that has erupted across our nation and we want to lend a hand to support those rendered vulnerable as a result of this critical social issue.”

The statement continued: “To this end, we hereby announce the creation of N50 million fund to support the victims and families of those affected by this crisis. BSG will be working with partner agencies to administer this fund. We know that this does not bring back the lives that have been lost or undo the injustice many have suffered, but we believe it is a step towards healing our vibrant nation and reinforce our commitment to contribute to the dialogue and action which can support a better Nigeria for everyone.”

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#carnageandlootings

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

SOME VICTIMS

CARNAGE

of the

One of the casualties of the recent carnage and destruction of Lagos were business owners whose shops were attacked and their goods stolen. An attack like that was devastating to them and their years of hard sweat and labour was reduced to debris in just a few hours! This dastardly act alone needless to say has reduced their morale as victims of the hijack of the peaceful protest. STYLE reaches out to some of the people who ran their business in the Circle Mall in the Lekki axis and this was what they had to say about their predicament.

It must have been very painful to see many years of hardwork destroyed in just few hours! What, approximately, is the value of your loss?

Funny how I can’t really place value on those things and I can’t really say that this is the amount of stuff that was moved from my space. What l place value on is the space because that was where I started. Even losing a pin from that store will still hurt cause it not about the money. I lost mannequins that I started with way back that I valued so much and also machines that reminded me from where I started. So it is really painful but I have come to realize that a lot of people lost more than I did.

Before

How did you feel and who is your anger directed at, the looters or those who put the hoodlums in that condition to do what they did?

I really felt bad, because when someone sent the video to my wife, she did not know how to tell me but she summoned courage to do so. I am am not really moved by anything except death. You can’t make me feel bad by crushing my car or stealing my properties. The only thing that can get to me is perhaps trying to get to my kids or wife. I can not really blame the looters because there are illiterates basically following directions and instructions of what they are asked to do. The culprits didn’t just come out to loot, there destroyed stuff they did not need to destroy. To me, that act of wickedness shows just how much they need to be informed and educated well on how to behave.

Are they any avenues you know of that the government has put to help you financially recover some of your loses?

Well, l have seen a lot on social media that the government is doing to help small businesses and people that lost properties. But because of the way I see my country, I don’t believe in that and I don’t think that would work.

They will just raise your hope for about seven to eight months before you even get N1,000,000. I’m just counting this incident as one of my losses. I do not expect the government to come through for me except from individuals

raising funds for this. It is just one of those things. Life goes on.

In moving forward what measures are you putting in place to better guard you against such occurrences in future?

My advice for everybody that was affected is to just double the security. You cannot just have a glass with no proper burglary to protect your space anymore because we more concerned about beauty at the time. Most of our shops are not insured and even if they are, the Insurance company in Nigeria can not to be trusted. So my advice to those who lost their properties is that while trying to put the space back together, they should ensure to put a strong burglary proof, you can even put three or four if you have to.

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

be useful to themselves. A strict punitive system should be put in place for Pen Robbers that will serve as a deterrent to us all. A system that does not tolerate corruption but that will punish offenders and looters of public funds no matter how highly placed.

Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing business owners who were victims of the Lagos carnage?

I assume the government is targetting those who suffered losses Post EndSars as well as those who may be eligible for the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund for which government says a sum of N75b has been earmarked.

TITI BAKAARE CEO SAS Texiles

BY AZUKA OGUJIUBA

YOMI MAKUN CEO YOMI CASUAL

STYLE & DESIGN

After

What better ways do you suggest the government can connect better with the youths and empower them to avoid such atrocities from repeating itself?

I don’t think this has to do with the government because we keep waiting on the government to do this for us. I think it’s high time, we, as the middle class, render our voices to the hoodlums. It’s our responsibility to educate and talk to them. Let them know that whatever we are doing, we are doing it for them. We can create a business platform for them. If we work together and bring somebody to represent us, I believe the country will have a complete turnaround. With this, I believe Nigeria will become a better place in 2023. I think it’s time to start telling the youths to stop allowing the government to use them to cause havoc. If we can take that hold on them away from the government, trust me, ww will get our country back.

It must have been so painful to see so many years of labour and sweat destroyed in a few short hours. What is the extent of your loss?

SAS Textiles is a second generation family run business which was founded by our late mother over 40 years ago. So as you can imagine, the loss cannot only be quantified in terms of cash.

What we lost was our hard earned sweat built up over three decades. Our two stores were looted and destroyed, one in Lennox Mall in Lekki and the other in Adeniran Ogunsanya shopping centre Surulere. SAS sells lace fabrics from the best manufacturers in Austria, Switzerland and different countries so you can imagine the value of the fabrics looted. Not only were the fabrics stolen, the stores were destroyed and some of the shop fittings taken. They even had time to remove our air conditioners, phones, Computer systems, Cctv etc. l could go on but in all, this we have chosen to count our blessings and Thank God for life. The extent of the damage runs into several millions.

Amidst all this, who is you anger directed at? Those who committed the crime or those who pushed them to it?

I cannot describe my feelings in terms of anger alone. After the initial shock and disbelief at the extent of the destruction, not only to our properties but to the whole mall, feelings of anger began to set in. However these feelings quickly gave way to pain, not just because of our loss. but pain for our country Nigeria and for the hopelessness felt by the youths that would lead them to perpetuate such acts of violence and destruction.

But after a while, we entered into God’s Rest and Peace, evacuated what was left and decided to move forward. My prayer is that we don’t experience war again as it was very traumatic seeing all the glasses broken everywhere and so much blood.

Are you aware of any channels being put in place by the government to support victims like you who suffered financial losses from this carnage?

We are aware that the Lagos state Government has provided loans at single digit interest rates through the LSETF to those affected. This is a very welcome initiative and would go a long way to help some of us to rebuild our businesses.

However, quite a number of business owners have existing loans which were used to finance the business. Additional loans would only make the interest burden unbearable. We shouldn’t forget that many businesses had only just

Before

Before started picking up again after the Covid 19 pandemic.

In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in place to better guard you against such occurrences in future?

After The effects of the Covid 19 pandemic followed by the looting from ENDSARS protests, have made a lot of business owners rethink their business models. We are beginning to rethink the cost effectiveness of extensive brick and mortar stores and look more toward an on line presence.

The value of added security that we thought we had from locating our shops in purpose built shopping malls, has proven to be non existent and we are certainly going to have to re-evaluate this strategy. In one of the malls affected, all shop owners came together and decided to take responsibility and evaluate the loop holes.

Lastly, insurance and the extent of our insurance cover for incidents like this will have to be reviewed as most store owners don’t even have Insurance.

What better ways do you suggest the government can connect better with the youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening again in future?

Our youth need better education, they need jobs, better living conditions and need to feel a sense of equity and justice in the nation. Our value systems need to be rebuilt and a sense of dignity and self worth reinstituted in the minds of the youth. I can assure you, no one with the right values would destroy what would be of ultimate benefit to themselves.

I believe the Government should focus much more on empowerment programs; vocational skills programs etc that would eventually get the youth off the streets.

But apart from Government, we all need to take responsibility and empathize with the disadvantaged all around us, feed them and help them.

OKE MADUEWESI

CEO ZARON COSMETICS

OMOLARA OGUNKOYA

Before

CEO MUKLAMART

After

As a victim of the carnage and one who has suffered financial losses from this act, who are you most angry with? The hoodlums or the government that failed them as a people?

My anger was directed at both looters and those who made them into monsters Are you aware of any steps the government is putting in place to financially aid victims like you in recovering some of your losses?

I am aware that LSETF wants to offer some interest free loans to MSMEs affected by the looting and vandalization. Also learnt from our account officers at

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Access Bank that the bank has earmarked some loan for those affected.

In moving forward, what further steps are you taking to avoid such an occurrence ever happening to you again?

There isn’t any security measure to be put in place to avoid a recurrence. When they came, they came in their hundreds. Government must institute a proper social security system that will take care of the vandals who seem angry and vengeful. We must also arise and be our brother’s keepers and be more sensitive to the plight of those around us.

What better ways do you suggest the government bridge the gap with the youths to avoid a repeat performance of the carnage?

I suggest creation of technical schools to enable the youths learn trades and

After

What approximately is the value of your loss of business and how did you feel when you saw the damages inflicted?

It’s been one of the most challenging and painful times for most Nigerians. I had always said what happened recently was inevitable. Given the economic situation, anarchy was not far fetched.

The sad part always is that innocent and hard working people tend to pay the price.

We are lucky because we have a couple of more stores but my heart goes out to those that lost everything and might never be able to recover from this.

In all this, who was you anger directed at, the looters or those who put them in that condition?

The question I always ask is, who in their right minds chooses to be hoodlums?

The system created these people. They have been deprived for so long and some

of them are graduates with no jobs, some are even mothers with no food to feed their children. I am not condoning this act or excusing criminality but this is what you get from a failed system.

However, Nigerians need to understand that taking out your frustration on your fellow hardworking Nigerians that are probably the only people helping to put food on your table sets you back even more.

Are you aware of any avenues the government has put in place to help financially recover some of these losses?

We have heard of a couple but I know that unlike Western economies, the Government does not have the capability and resources to restore most of the businesses and sadly for some, they will have to sweat it out mostly on their own.

In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in place to better guard you against such occurrences in future?

Having the Nigerian Army secure my stores (LOL). I am not sure how you can truly prevent this as business people, apart from being protected by insurance and extra security measures. The key thing is that Government has to understand

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

that for its economy to thrive, they have to create a secure and enabling environment for businesses.

The Government has to build infrastructure, have favourable monetary policies and create access to capital while business owners have to commit to building and grow successful businesses to create employment for its people.

STYLE & DESIGN

Are they any avenues you know of that the government has put in place to help you financially recover some of your losses?

Yes, the Lagos state govt launched the LSTEF recovery fund platform, which we have applied for but we haven’t gotten a feedback yet

This is a very simple and easy question and I know the answers has been over flogged and known to all. The only solution to this problem is for the Government to have the will and the heart to truly be committed to bringing about change. Until the leaders commit to this and do right by its citizens, we will and cannot move forward.

What better ways do you suggest the government can connect better with the youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening again in future?

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in place to better guard you against such occurrences in future?

Groups of professionals need to reach out to the disenfranchised citizens by organizing different outreach programs that will provide a sense of inclusion. I strongly believe that if we do this, it will go a long way in guarding against being the object of the attacks.

Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing business owners who were victims of the Lagos carnage?

They have to do an assessment and decide the best strategy.

What better ways do you suggest the government can connect better with the youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening again in future?

The govt needs to operate a transparent system of governance whereby they are accountable to the citizens especially the youths, an inclusive system of governance whereby the citizens are part of the system.

Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing business owners?

I think the assistance is open to everyone that was accepted regardless of your type and size of business.

Before

ADENIKE OGUNLESI

OLUWATOSIN AYODELE

CEO RUFF AND TUMBLE

AVENUE MONTAIGNE One can only imagine the turmoil of seeing so many years of sweat and toil go up like smoke in just a few hours from carnage and destruction. How do you even put into words what this loss means to you?

The impact of the loss is felt right across our supply chain. On the retail end, with the use of technology, we were able to put the value of losses at about N120M from our three locations.

With three Ruff and Tumble stores down, it also means we will reduce our production as we no longer have those outlets to feed. We will be reducing our production capacity which may result in temporary lay offs in production and logistics. This creates a viscous cycle of jobs cuts (which are really needed now), that can very easily spiral out of control.

This is the second time we are experiencing this! The first time was during the xenophobic attacks.

Psychologically the impact on our entire staff is very negative. We have had to counsel and address our teams on how to cope as well as to understand the impact and it’s implications.

Is your anger directed at the looters or those who put them in that condition?

I have very mixed feelings and a cocktail of emotions! Firstly I must thank our amazing customers! Wow. They have been supporting us with words of encouragement! All our other stores nation wide are open to serve.

My heart goes out to all who have had to go through this, most especially after the impact of Covid on our businesses. We are collateral damage, we are bearing the consequences of the social inequalities and injustices in our society.

What happened is a true reflection of where we are as a nation. We must sincerely commit ourselves to building a nation that works on all levels for us all. The industrialization of Nigeria is no longer negotiable. This must be on the front burner. Jobs must be created and fast. Developmental capital must be made available to develop the infrastructural networks for our industrialization.

Finance must be provided at zero percent interest rates, along with incentives that encourages genuine manufacturers. It’s never been a better time to support Nigerian Manufacturing. This is not about trader money, it’s about factories from Lagos to Sokoto serving as the West African/African and indeed, the global supply chain.

Nigeria can no longer just be a juicy market, we must become a manufacturing nation. We who are part of the solution are seen as part of the problem. We

have invested in our country Nigeria. We are job creators and innovators. We deserve better attention and support from Govt.

After

Are you aware of any channels the government has put in place to help you financially recover some of your losses?

We are working on this. As we are part of the solution and not the problem, Govt must put in place a compensation plan to cushion the impact on businesses so this incident does not lead to further losses. I am believing that Govt can see the value we create and will therefore help us all get back on our feet ASAP. In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in place to better guard you against such occurrences in future?

Our Ecom site is up. We are already directing our customers to shop their favorite looks online. Brick and mortar presence is proving to be high risk unless we can improve on security. We are also ensuring insurance policies are in place to support when things like this happen.

What ways do you suggest the government can connect better with the youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening again in future?

Dialogue. We must learn to listen to each other, understand the language of the youth and engage. They are almost 70% of our population, they must get involved and must be given the chance. They are the future. Let’s listen to them.

I would like to see more engagement, more trade and technical schools helping the youth become more employable in the 21century Nigeria.

TARA DUROTOYE CEO TARA COSMETICS

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Who was you anger directed at, the looters or those that put them in that condition?

If you critically analyze the Lekki incident, you’ll realize the protest was as peaceful and united as anyone has ever seen, they were not stealing or looting until the government showed up, shot at unarmed citizens and imposed a curfew.

My anger right now is directed at the government who imposed a curfew but failed to secure private and public properties. Isn’t that the essence of curfews?

Do you know if the government has taken any measures to provide succor for victims of the carnage like yourself?

Well Lagos state government recently announced an intervention fund called

Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing business owners who were victims of the Lagos carnage?

All businesses affected must be supported.

We for one, need the support. This is another curve ball we didn’t see coming, it’s impact is devastating on us socially and mentally.

Before

After

Seeing so many years of hard work destroyed in just a few hours must be harrowing to witness. What approximately, is the value of your loss?

I’m struggling with finding the appropriate word to express my feelings as “painful” is an understatement considering the years of hard work and perseverance that has gone down the drain especially in a not so friendly business environment like ours. In our facility, we have a luxury store selling high end brands ranging from Goyard, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Off White labels etc. These products come at an average price of $1,000. The whole store was wiped out. We lost products worth $300,000 (N135 million). Five of our delivery bikes were carted away, two TVs, CCTV dvrs, two DSTV decoders, one Bang & Olufsen speaker worth $3,000. Rugs, two IMAC computers, Portable office Fridge, one PS4, many parts were also removed from our office car parked in the compound and also from our Mikano generator.

It must have been very painful to see so many years of hard work destroyed in just a few hours.

What approximately, is the value of your loss?

There were mixed feelings, feelings of pain but the feeling of gratitude was more. Gratitude because staff were not at work when it happened, which would have been a different story. It placed me in a state of reflection. Why is this happening a second time? Attack on businesses and personal properties of ordinary citizen? Similarly during the xenophobia protest in lagos. Reflections around what we can do collectively as a collective? How did Gov fail us as hardworking entrepreneurs?

What can we do as a business to prevent this from happening again or mitigating against this risk?

Who was you anger directed at, the looters or those who put them in that condition?

First of all, l will like to call them the disenfranchised citizens because they have been neglected for too long and you and I did nothing about it. (The educated and privileged) The anger was more towards us “the privileged” who could have made a difference when our govt didn’t. The privileged who didn’t hold government accountable but chose to build our own. What did we do to provide a sense of inclusion, to educate and integrate them so they have a sense of belonging. Their anger is more towards us that they see as the “the privileged” and at the govt.

Before the LSETF which we hope will truly rescue us from drowning in debt In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in place to better guard you against such occurrences in future?

Getting Insurance but also Insurance companies need to find a way to reduce their fees as it’s not easy keeping up with it. Most times, it feels like you’re giving away all your profits to the insurance company

After

What better ways do you suggest the government can connect better with the youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening again in future?

First of all, communication is key, leaders should embrace the habit of addressing the nation always about acheievements and immediate future plans (if we break this down to even an organization, that’s why many companies do staff meetings weekly, bi- weekly or monthly) to discuss what has been achieved the previous week or month and track the status of future plans also). When citizens, especially youths, feel inclusive, everyone will be on the same page. The attitude of the FG towards the reality is not so encouraging, it makes you wonder your true purpose in life. Feedbacks from citizens is an essential part of leadership. That is how you can be sure if you’re going on the right direction because every wrong turn you take has serious real life implications on the people you’re leading.

Before

BUKKY GEORGE CEO HEALTHPLUS

After

It must have been very painful to see so many years of hard work destroyed in just a few hours. What approximately, is the value of your loss and can you please tell us what you lost?

The hijack of the purposeful and peaceful #EndSARS protests by looters on Wednesday, 21 October 2020 was very unfortunate. HealthPlus Group operates two complimentary concepts: HealthPlus, a 58-unit chain of pharmacies and CasaBella, a 32-unit of one-stop-shops for beauty and grooming solutions. Our company lost a total of 11 stores to looters on that fateful day. Two of our stores located at Circle Mall Lekki were totally burnt with nothing to recover. The 11 stores that were looted/burnt were located in: Circle Mall, Novare Mall, SPAR Lekki, Adeniran Ogunsanya Mall, Kwara Mall and on Freedom way, Lekki Phase 1. Circle Mall was the worst hit as the hoodlums looted then set fire on the building. The mall must have structural problems. I suspect they must demolish and rebuild. Really Awful!

The destruction has led to inability to serve our customers, loss of revenues and displacement of our employees. To give you an idea of the quantum of our losses: It costs us approximately N30million to kit up one store. This includes the cost of inventory, furniture & fittings, computers &

electronics, office equipment, signage etc.

Who was you anger directed at, the looters or those who put them in that condition?

Entrepreneurship in Nigeria is like extracting a tooth without anaesthesia.

Having been in business for over 21 years, I have become very resilient. I do not have the time to indulge in negative energy such as anger, sadness or despondency. Rather, I preserve myself in order to remain focused on priorities, think clearly, solve our problems and start the rebuilding process.

Having said this, the Federal government should have acted more decisively in attending to the requests of the peaceful protesters. The invitation of soldiers should have been carefully managed. How can fire be opened towards or around peaceful protesters holding Nigerian flags? The delay in proactively and transparently sharing the CA-COVID Palliatives must be investigated and defaulters penalized. What appeared to be hoarding of these items caused great anger amongst the poor. I can authoritatively say that the stockpile in the Ilorin CA-COVID warehouse caused the mayhem in Kwara State which spilt over to the looting of Kwara Mall. Per the looters, there is no excuse for unlawful behaviour. You will however agree that these are the monsters that have been created due to unemployment, poverty and hunger in the land.

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

Are you aware of any avenues the government has put in place to help you financially recover some of your losses?

Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) have put in place a recovery fund for SMEs. Kwara State also have an SME recovery fund. The quantum of these palliatives and the speed with which they will be disbursed are unknown.

In moving forward, what extra measures are you putting in place to better guard you against such occurrences in future?

We are insured against several perils. We are reviewing our insurance cover to ensure it is as robust and comprehensive as can be. We are riveting all our safes. We plan to install foldable burglary proof (durable roller shutters) which will be impervious to looters. We also hope to learn from other retailers, local and international in best practices to safeguard our assets against rioters.

Government needs to install street CCTVs which have facial recognition features as seen in developed countries. That way, looters will be brought to justice and deterred from such despicable acts.

OMOBOWALE BIOBAKU

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

What better ways do you suggest the government can bridge the gap with the youths to empower them and prevent such atrocity ever happening again in future?

Dialogue is essential. This takes skills. A panel of trustworthy Nigerians, representing different sectors and including the youths should have been set up within in 48 hours of the protests. The panel will then engage the protesters with a roadmap and timelines for vigorously addressing their demands. The youths would have backed down. Unfortunately, silence in certain quarters was deafening!

Who are those eligible for the assistance the government is providing to address this issue?

I read that SMEs will be compensated. We await the definition of an SME as we range from micro, small to medium sized enterprises. Large corporates were also destroyed. These attacks were totally unprecedented. They trumped the xenophobic attacks!

Before

CEO MOBOS

It must have been very painful to see so many years of hard work destroyed in just few hours. What, approximately, is the value of your loss?

Talking about money or loss, you can’t even imagine what we have suffered! Outside of the products been looted, is the assault and destruction of property. It’s so sad. If we look at the value of what we lost, we are looking at approximately N20-30 million naira worth of items overnight! It’s a violation that leaves you feeling naked! Some shoes were stolen with the other pair left behind. They took everything from desktops, POS, curtains and mannequins aside from the shoes. It’s just terrible.

At this point, who is your anger directed at? The hoodlums or those who made them become one?

I don’t want to say l am angry. I have to just move on from here but I’ll say I blame the government as well as the looters. We all have a choice. Yes, the government isn’t providing for the citizens of the nation. The environment isn’t conducive for anything. The educational system is bad. ASSU is still on strike for crying out loud and an idle mind is the devil workshop. So there are a lot of youths not doing anything. So the government should rise up to the challenge and do what they ought to do provide work for the youths. Look at the palliatives that was found meant to feed people at my Estate. They hid these palliatives in a warehouse. But the looters also damaged things so I blame both the youths and the government because Nigeria is not just a landscape. Nigeria is you and I. What the hoodlums did was wrong and wicked. The government also needs to rise up because it’s the situation that made these youths rise up against their fellow citizens. I just hope the government will do the needful.

Are you aware of any steps the government is putting in place to financially aid victims like you in recovering some of your losses?

I heard that Lagos state has set up a fund for those affected and as far as I know, it’s just what they put out there. Maybe they have started giving it out I don’t know. But personally, I haven’t received anything and until I receive, I won’t believe theres a fund set aside to help us financially. I hope they will be able to hold up to their promise in doing so and reach out to many as possible aside from the people asking for donations to those that were affected.

In moving forward, what steps are you taking to avoid such an occurrence ever happening to you again?

My two shops that were looted After where in Nauvere mall and Surulere mall. Because l am in a mall, there’s really little I can do to guard up against such occurrences in future. One of the reasons we pay a premium for a mall space, is the security and I believe the mall owners should rise up to the challenge. It has happened twice now in the one of the malls and I believe after the first incident, they didn’t pay for security. They need to step it up. The store owners should also engage mall owners to tighten their security because we can’t depend on their security services anymore.

We need to know what new measures they are putting in place. It is their responsibility to us and we as tenants need to have one voice in ensuring they step up to the plate.

What better ways do you suggest the government bridge the gap with the youths to avoid a repeat performance of the carnage?

I’ll say it again, the idle mind is the devil workshop. If they are idle, they are bound to look for other means to sustain themselves. The high rate of unemployment in the nation is alarming. If they don’t have jobs, how do they feed? What is there to support them? We need our nation to work right now. We need to start praying cause this is just the beginning.

What has been put in place for their education and health sector? The government needs to rise up and do what is expected of them because these youths are our leaders of tomorrow. They should be empowered enough to fill that role when it’s their turn to rule the world.

TO REGISTER AS A DESIGNER VISIT: www.arisefashionweek.world 14

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STYLE & DESIGN

SOME OF THE

#carnageandlooting THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTIES &

BY USIADE ISIOMA

Lagos state, that was once described as ‘one of the most expensive cities in the world’ met its Waterloo recently when it was vandalized and reduced to ruins in the hands of frustrated youths. They broke, burnt and damaged everything in sight as a reflection of their rage at a system that failed them. Many of these properties that took years to build were destroyed within hours. The debri left behind is a symbol or what that day represents in history - the Black Tuesday. Lagos state is slowly trying to pick up the pieces and rebuild what was destroyed. It will take a while and a lot of sweat to recover from this carnage. But one that only hope that as Lagos state resurrects these properties and breath life back into them, the same will also reflect with building a better relationship with the youths of today and earn their trust so that together, the city and its people can live again.

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Before

After

SHOPRITE LEKKI

ORILE IGANMU POLICE STATION

After

Before

TELEVISION CONTINENTAL HEADQUARTERS

Before

After

Before

Before

After Before

After

ORIENTAL HOTEL VICTORIA ISLAND

Before

After

NIGERIA PORT AUTHORITY OFFICE

Before After THE NATION NEWSPAPER HEAD OFFICE

Before

LEKKI TOLL PLAZA

After

After

BUS RAPID TRANSPORT (BRT) VEHICLES

GOV. SANWO-OLU FAMILY HOUSE

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

NELLY AGBOGU

OF NAIJA BRAND CHICK

FUNDS RAISED:

N15,000,000 The recent happenings in the country, especially Lagos, has really affected us in a bad way. Staff had to stop coming to work, we had to shut down due to poor sales. Then the recent happenings were really challenging for us in terms of decrease in sales and increase in cost of production. Same month we got burgled as well. Really, it hasn’t been easy.

I decided to come up with the Donations for affected SMEs because empathy is one of my most outstanding leadership qualities.

When the hoodlums went on the streets, hijacked the peaceful #endsars protest, and began to vandalize shops and cart away items, I knew that I had to do something. I remembered when my shop was robbed three weeks ago. I was so devastated.

Amid the pandemic, and the resulting impact on sales, having your shop robbed is the last thing you want to experience.

So, when I saw the shops of other Small Business Owners vandalized, there was no way I was going to ignore them.

Here was my decision - shops that were vandalized needed all the help they could get to build again, and this can happen.

At first, I wanted to support them personally. But you see, Nigerians are people that care. I made a simple request to the 200,000+ community I have on Instagram, and in less than four days, we were able to raise N15,000,000 to support SMEs that were impacted.

Immediately the first fund came in; I decided that we would create a verification process to disburse the funds.

Now, this is a public fund. Over 500 people contributed to this fund. Establishing a verification

STYLE & DESIGN

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

IFE AGORO

process was not just to give confidence to the contributors, but also to make sure that we disbursed the funds to the people that needed it the most.

We set up a sophisticated funnel of verification that consists of five critical stages; STAGE 1 We received over 300 applications from 21 states in Nigeria, and we have been able to select 34 small business owners who will get access to at least 500,000 each.

STAGE 2 Visits to the vandalized stores of the applicants for physical verification and having IG live sessions with those who are outside Lagos.

STAGE 3 Getting a legal team on board for signed documents.

STAGE 4 Getting professional accountants on board for the proper record keepings and financial statements.

STAGE 5 Disbursement of funds by the finance team to the affected SME’s.

Do the entrepreneurs need more, certainly. Can we do more, absolutely! So, we are calling on well-meaning Nigerians, the private sector and the government to continue to create SME Bridge Funds that can help entrepreneurs start, sustain and scale their businesses.

Honestly, the response from well meaning individuals has been great, so many affected business owners all across Nigeria reached out and really, it’s amazing.

of DANG

FUNDS RAISED:

N18,000,000

#carnageandlootings

BEING OUR

BROTHER’S KEEPER

The last couple of of emotions, it will change we seek will lost, a lot of business hope that business soonest.

Linda Ikeji, shown love and This week we reached

weeks have been filled with a rollercoaster take a while to get over it and hope that the eventually come. A lot of lives have been affected, shops vandalized and we sincerely owners are able to get back on their feet Askdamz, Deltapot and many others have support via donations to affected business. out and got a few responses from them.

RUKY SALAKO AND ZINNA ANUMUDU

The SME SUPPORT FUND is set up to work in five steps: 1.PUBLIC DONATIONS: This will span a two week period starting from the 23rd of October.

Tier 3: N500,000- N1,500,000

2.APPLICATIONS: Affected businesses apply with substantial evidence to support their claim. This step will run concurrently with Step 1.

Fund allocation will be done via direct bank transfer, except where impossible, and all transfer receipts will be collated

3.VERIFICATION: The SME SUPPORT TEAM will carry out a verification exercise to ensure only those truly affected benefit from the fund. This will include , but not limited to, visits to affected areas, scrutiny of photo and video evidence sent in, calls to management of affected malls etc.

5. FINAL REPORT: The SME SUPPORT FUND TEAM will provide a detailed report of all donations received, how they were allocated, and to whom they were allocated not longer than a week after allocation of funds.

The feedback has been amazing.

Our close friends and loved ones have surprised us, THE DANG Community has surprised us as well and we find that people are reposting the fliers on their pages with stories saying they trust the DANG platform to have enough integrity to do with the money what we say we will. This was and is quite humbling. So far, we have raised almost N18m

4. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS: Businesses that pass the verification process will be split into three tiers based on business needs and will receive funding as follows: Tier 1: N50,000- N250,000 Tier 2: N250,000- N500,000

CHINNY ONONUJUMCERNEST

of The Women International

OLUFUNKE ADEPOJU

of Funke Adepoju Brand

FUNDS RAISED:

N2,100,000 I came up with this initiative because it was important for me to find a way to help people at this time, at this moment a lot of people are grieving, and don’t know where to start from, so I thought it would be good for me to rally round and use the network of people that I already have to raise some money to cushion the effect of this whole vandalization. Because the truth is, as one person or an organization, we can’t fill their shops back or give them everything that they lost, but I though it was important to do my part because it’s the only thing I know how to do which is why I came up with this initiative to use

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the network that I have to raise the money, and so far we have been able to raise N2,100,000.

We intend to share this across a list of the 20 people we already have, to get back on their feet.

The funds obviously cannot do everything for them, but can definitely fix their shelves, glass, windows etc. It’s just basically being our brothers keeper at a time like this, trying to show that little drops can fill an ocean. It is to help them know that they are not in this alone.

This happened as a result of all of us trying to force change, it is unfortunate that they where hit the hardest. I guess in our own little way, we are just trying to make a change and help people around us.

DEDUN OLOBAYO

OF STYLEMEAFRICA

I decided to help businesses after seeing the devastation across Lekki phase 1. I took a drive out for some air during the lockdown and I was very sad to see businesses that I knew and loved looted and destroyed. I thought to get out of being a social media activist and do actually do something. I’m partnering with Nelly of Naija brand chick who will verify the businesses and disburse the funds as needed. I am also in touch with a number of people who work in various organisations across E commerce, finance, tax and insurance to help these businesses reach their goals.

Feedback has been great although slow. I have more of an international audience so I need to work harder to educate them about what’s going on so that they can be empathetic and donate to our cause.

TWI i​s a social enterprise with a vision of “equipping women to achieve a fully balanced life by focusing on their mental, emotional, physical and financial wellbeing”.

Our vision was borne out of a desire to assist women maximize their full potential as they navigate through life’s challenges. TWI is dedicated to helping women build a better future for themselves, their families, career trajectory and businesses.

The recent statistics on depression and increased suicide rates in Nigeria have reinforced our desire to change the status quo and promote positive outcomes for women to enable them thrive and become meaningful contributors to nation building.

Our circles as well as summits, are focused on increasing the success rate of female entrepreneurs, women across different corporate management levels, public service as well as homemakers.

The Circle is TWI’s closed-knit event holds every quarter and is attended by at least 100

women.

As part of our mandate to support women, we have now setup an emergency support project for female owned businesses affected by the recent looting and destructions

Nationwide.⁣ ⁣We cannot imagine what some of these businesses might be going through at this time, but we believe together we can help them rebuild!⁣ ⁣Our goal for this project is to support at least 300 Female owned businesses through the “We Care” project, an initiative under The Women International, set up to assist vulnerable and underprivileged women and girls in the society.⁣ ⁣The entire process will be made transparent and we will make sure to provide update on the progress on a regular basis.⁣ ⁣The best thing to hold on to in life is each other and all we truly have is each other Together we can achieve this.

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STYLE & DESIGN

#carnageandlootings

THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

GOOD DEEDS THE

OF THE

PROTESTERS

BY ISIOMA USIADE

The Groundnut Seller Monies Raised:N2,000,000

T

he Nigerian youths who participated in the #ENDSARS protest at Lekki Toll Gate warmed hearts on social media after raising N2million for elderly woman selling groundnut at the protest ground. They raised the money by sharing pleas on social media which touched benevolent hearts including celebrities, to support with some money. The total amount mentioned earlier is what the groundnut seller was blessed with. The disclosure was made by a Twitter user with the handle @sama_ on_point who shared pictures of the woman on the social media platform.

The Physically Challenged Monies Raised: N4,000,000

T

he #EndSARS protesters raised over N4million in less than 24 hours for two physically-challenged protesters who joined the protest.

One of them was identified as Jane. Many protesters uploaded her image on social media tagging her as the protest heroine for not allowing her physical challenge to deter her from joining the protest.

A popular medical doctor on Twitter, Chinonso Egemba, known as Aproko doctor, started the fundraising for her after identifying the need for a prosthetic leg for her to enable her walk. He tweeted, “This is Jane. She’s been unemployed since 2013 partly because of her disability, she came out in the #EndSARS protests and we need to help.” Please click the link below to donate to this, if you can’t donate, please RT, someone might see it on your TL.” In less than two hours of creating the Gofundme account, the target of N500,000 was reached.

Mr Egemba, thereafter, increased the target to N1.5 million, saying Jane needs to get the best quality prosthetic leg as there is a team of doctors who have volunteered to assemble the leg without collecting a dime. The N1.5 Million target was also reached within four hours.

“I created the donate link for Jane with a 30 day period in mind for N500,000. I thought Nigerians were stretched thin from giving for the #EndSARS protests. Said a little prayer then posted the link.

“In less than 4 hours, we raised N3.2 Million naira and counting! A new Nigeria!” he tweeted.

Banky W’s New Single ‘TALK AND DO’

Feat. 2Baba, Seun Kuti, Timi Dakolo, Brookstone and LCGC Banky W has just released a riveting new single titled “Talk and Do” which features a number of music heavyweights including Seun Kuti, 2Baba, Timi Dakolo, Brookstone & LCGC. The song is a reflection of the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, alongside the ZimbabweanLivesMatter movement, the Black Lives Matter which encompasses

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A

nother protester, identified as Charles Nnaman, with the same challenge as Jane is to benefit from the donation. He led the protest from Stadium to Bode Thomas in Surulere, despite having one limb. Mr Egemba said the police shot him two months after his wedding.

not just ‘TALK’.

The track goes on to say people are tired of reading the news with no results. It complains about the nonchalant approach the government has towards its people. But it drives home the point that as nobody wants to join politics, how do we then begin to correct the wrongs imposed on us as a people?

This further reiterated the problem, the society has, with those who criticize the government. How do you ensure your voices will be heard if there is no presence to represent your interest?

Not only is “Talk and Do” lyrically pleasant to listen to and hits a chord deeply, it’s harrowing the worldwide issues aiming for one common message gives one food for thought not to mention goal - hunger for change! This song is inspiring its scintillating melodious tune. Even though and encourages one not to lose focus from the BANKY W seems to want to focus on politics and message. play a role in the change we all seek for, this song “Talk and Do” is a stark portrayal of the current exposes his depth of character which we pray will times. Where the suffering of the common man see him through the terrain he now want to play in. is highlighted to those that govern them. It sings Truth is, Rome was not built in a day and the about the need to address issues making lives more BANKYs we have putting their foot forward difficult. The need for these governments to in the world of politics and governance, the more get off their drawing boards and attend to the pressing issues before them. The need to take their they should be encouraged and supported in every way because only then - can we begin to build heads out of the sand and deal with the pains of the armory required to achieve our goal - a better their citizens. They need action. They need the government to step up. They need them to ‘DO’ and Nigeria for our youths!

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THISDAY Style Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020

STYLE & DESIGN

#EndSARS (part 2)

MORE PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES GIMBA KAKANDA a Writer, Social media Influencer and Political Analyst based in Abuja narrates the day he was brutalized by police.

“I had never been brutalized by the Nigerian police before last Sunday. A new wave of demonstrations began in early October, with protesters speaking out against the brutality of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police Force that often operates in plain clothes. I’ve been helping communicate about the #endSARS protests in real time. Last weekend I tweeted about the protest we were attending in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and shared our location. We were marching to the police headquarters in Abuja when police started spraying water cannons and throwing tear gas canisters at us to disperse the crowd.

Police officers ambushed my friend and I, grabbed my phone and smashed it on the floor. I was not aggressive, but it did not stop them from beating me up, from ganging up on me and hitting me. I was saying my last prayers. I really thought my life was going to end. It made me realize the danger of a system that has given savages the right to be unsupervised.

The officers transferred my friend and I to the police headquarters, and we met their superior. He told us we were lucky that the encounter was in the day rather than at night, because if it was at night, they would have killed us and erased every trace of our

existence”.

An alarm was raised about our disappearance on social media, and one of the things that saved us that day was Dr Oby Ezekwesili, the organizer of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, who came to the police headquarters and insisted on our release. There was also one dissenting police officer who argued against the treatment we received. If Dr Oby had not come to get us, and there had not been that lone voice of reason within the police force, our obituaries would be in the news now.

The problem is institutional. SARS, and the officers working within it, have the support of the police hierarchy. There is no penalty for any crime by the police and they are reluctant to punish one of their own.

They don’t want to accept that there is rot in the system. Over the years, the police have been able to kill innocent citizens without any justice, and police brutality has become a culture here.

An Amnesty International report earlier this year, documented at least 82 cases of torture, ill-treatment and extra-judicial execution by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020.

We have challenged this several times before in the streets, and nothing has happened. The political leadership has stopped listening to the masses. We had Occupy Nigeria in 2012, and there have been calls to disband SARS since 2017. What’s happening now is a longawaited explosion of outrage.

EMMANUEL NNAJI, 24

their bus. I told them I was a Corps member and they laughed asking if I knew how many of my colleagues they have arrested. My identity card meant nothing to them. They found nothing on my phone and requested money which I declined. First, it was a public area and I didn’t want to give people the impression of being guilty and trying to find my way out.

Secondly, if they had approached me in a friendly manner and ‘begged’ for money, I would have stashed some into their pockets. The other time they tried it, my roommate was arrested. They broke into my room and took my laptop to their station. I was unaware until I was called to tell them my password. Annoyed, I put a call across to my lawyer and told them I was coming with him. They told me not to bother, released my roommate and gave him my laptop. I have been harassed by them about six to seven times now”.

“I first encountered SARS during my National Youth Service in 2019 when travelling to Abuja. I was asked to alight from the car. When I got off, my laptop and phone were searched. They went through my WhatsApp chats and e-mails. This happened at about three checkpoints. They claimed I was looking good and happened to be the only guy in the vehicle. Were they trying to say it’s a crime to dress well?

They are hating on young guys and pinning them as ‘yahoo boys’ without tangible evidence.

The real experience that threw me off took place on the 9th of September, 2019 at about 10:20 am.

I was right in front of an Anglican church in Oshogbo waiting for my colleagues. I was absent-minded while using my phone when two armed men jumped at me like a wanted criminal before taking me to

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BY USIADE ISIOMA

ANIETIE, 28

ABDUL ABDULKAREEM

“My friend and I were headed home towards Gbagada. Halfway there, we were flagged by men in mufti. We were questioned and our phones were scrutinized. They searched for words like “client”, “dolls” and “bitcoin”. Of course, some words popped up and we were at this point, profiled as fraudsters.

They made us abandon our car and forced us into their vehicle and they drove us along Ikorodu Road.

They picked up more people on the road and made us lap each other.

They told us to help ourselves by paying 200,000 naira each. Failure to do so and we’d be charged with fraud. They had picked up some women too. Our phones and clothes were seized and we began to bargain with them. Eventually, we beat it down to 50,000 naira.

They swore not to accept transfers so they drove around until they found an ATM around Berger. I gave them the money and they left me on the street in my underwear at midnight”.

“I would prefer to be attacked by armed robbers than to encounter SARS officers.”

“My two friends and l were on our way home around Idi-Araba, Surulere when officers turned up in a minibus and arrested us. It was around 10 pm, I stopped at a store opposite my house with these friends to pick up bread for breakfast the next morning. The officers appeared out of nowhere and dragged us into their van without telling us what our offence was. They took us, along with twelve others, to Area D police station in Mushin and threw us into a cell. On our way to the police station, the officers kept picking up random people and throwing them into the van. Anyone that asked questions got slapped, they seized our phones and personal belongings and refused to tell us anything. I had to sleep in the cell that night with the others that were picked up. It was a bad experience.

We were released in the morning with the sum of N20,000. They laughed about what they had done in the morning like it was a joke.

They told us it was normal”.

KING KENKO “About a month ago, my junior brother of 17yrs old was very unlucky on his way back from writing exam (Waec/GCE) along ‘IjokoRoad, Sango Otta’ when he met this so-called SARS officers. They stopped him and the first thing they told him was to unlock his phone.

He was just shocked and reluctantly held on to his phone. After different attempts of getting him to unlock his phone proved futile, they had to drag him to the station (Ijoko Police Station). On getting to the station, the DPO asked him to call someone he could reach out to and he had to call home. After calling Dad, he was so tensed and derailed because that was least expected from a boy that left home with the aim of writing the paper, he had so much prepared for.

Rushing down the station the DPO said to my Dad the boy looked like a smoker ‘17years old boy’ imagine and that was the only evidence they had for them to apprehend him on his way back from examination center. After much said and done, the bottom-line was my dad had to pay the DPO inordinate money to resolve the plight in order to release his 17 year old son. That was how my brother was molested by the set of people that was supposed to protect us. From my stance I think that was just act of injustice in all manners.

ABDULAHI ZACHARI “My brother and l were detained

by SARS in Abuja, tortured and forced to admit to being robbers.

They asked us to lie down and were hitting us with rods all over our bodies. They were telling us to admit that we were armed robbers. We kept denying it.” My injuries were so severe that I spent weeks in the hospital after my release”.

AYOOLA OTORI “In December 2015, l was returning to my village for New Year’s, around 10 am after visiting a friend in Awka. In front of Community Secondary school Umueri, SARS officers stopped and searched me. I think they stopped me because I fit the stereotype of a ‘yahoo boy’. They asked for the receipt to my laptop; I didn’t get a chance to explain myself when they threw a slap my way.

I was scared. I was assisted by a well-known businessman who was driving by and recognized me. He begged them on my behalf, and they let me go, I remember their names, Ibrahim Ademu and Eko Epe; they were route 10 officers”.