Activism In Nigeria Nowadays Is All For Money, Appointments, Other Fringe Benefits

According to a report in the Punch Tuesday, following the accusations in the human rights activists community in the country, Nigerians have taken to social media to bemoan the dearth of conscientious, selfless, and people-focused activists like the late lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

The Punch reort noted, present day activists in the country are after grants, appointments and other fringe benefits that accrue from activism and advocacy.

The lamentation of Nigerians on dearth of true activist like Gani followed a claim by a young activist, Oluwatosin Adeniji, who accused Sahara Reporters Publisher, #RevolutionNow and #Buharimustgo convener, Omoyele Sowore, of pocketing an #EndSARS grant which she claimed Sowore applied for on her behalf in 2020. Sowore has since denied he applied for or collect any grant in Adeniji’s name.

The comments also followed a disagreement between blogger Japheth Omojuwa, and former Minister of Education and #BringBackOurGirls campaigner, Oby Ezekwesili .

According to the Punch, reacting to the claims by Adeniji and Omojuwa, a Facebook user, Murana Akinniyi, wrote, “All these anti-Buhari protests, #RevolutionNow and #EndSARS agitation are all about inability to secure appointment. Gani had died and gone with activism. Today’s activists believe in grant and appointments.”

“Fake activists everywhere, they are worse than our politicians, only the gullible will believe that some fake activist are fighting for them not knowing they are only fighting for themselves and their families,” stated another user, Olayemi Oshinuga.

“All these revelations and allegations make me sad. Are we saying there is no true activist again in this country?” @ENIBOY asked.

“Nigerian activists are more corrupt than the politicians and the government they throw punches on!” said @BedeBartholome1.

Fawehinmi, who died in September 2009 at the age of 71, is widely recognized as a Nigerian social critic, human rights and civil rights activist, politician, writer and philanthropist.

He was arrested and detained by the military regime at various times for speaking to the plight of the masses.