UNICAL graduate, ex-departmental president leads peaceful protest in Lagos

By Cynthia Maduekwe and Ofonmbuk Jackson

James Agbajie, who was a former president of UNICAL Theatre Arts Students’ Association, actively involved in unionism in the institution, mobilised, organised and coordinated a band of protesters to the mainland (Ikeja axis)

Like the #EndSARS Brutality protest that transpired in 2020, Nigerians had waited with bated breath to witness and take part in the much expected #EndBadGovernance protest which kick-started on Thursday, 1st August 2024, following palpable dissatisfactions with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to reports making rounds on social media platforms, the protest, which has already sent widespread reverberations to many regions of the country, is planned to extend to 10th August 2024, if the Nigerian Government does not respond to the demands of the protesting citizens by negotiating a way forward to solving the problems that precipitated the protest.

While some incidents of violence, vandalism, destruction of Government properties, looting of street lights and “beat-back-the-crowd” shooting by security operatives have been reported in some Northern states including Niger, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto and Abuja, among others, the Southern states of the country especially Cross River and Akwa Ibom have enjoyed relatively peaceful environments. However, the protest is taking place in Lagos and some other states in the West.

In Lagos, Ikeja to be specific, a certain James Agbajie, a graduate of Theatre Arts Department from the University of Calabar, led a peaceful hunger protest aimed at drawing the attention of the Government to the economic hardship currently experienced in the state in particular and the country in general as well as the need to take urgent action for reduction of hunger, poverty and creation of job opportunities for Nigerians.

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After being denied entrance into the Island (Lekki area) by security forces, James Agbajie, who was a former president of UNICAL Theatre Arts Students’ Association, actively involved in unionism in the institution, mobilised, organised and coordinated a band of protesters to the mainland (Ikeja axis), ensuring that they exercised their democratic rights in a constitutional, peaceful and violence-free manner, making their voices heard.

The protesters carried placards highlighting various issues that need to be addressed by the Government including bad roads, high cost of living, corruption and embezzlement as well as changes that need to be made to achieve good governance.

The protesters in the Ikeja axis of Lagos demonstrated that demonstration for good governance can be done through peaceful and organised means, without resorting to violence or criminal activities that cause mayhem and compromise the integrity of such protest.

James Agbajie and his fellow protesters in Ikeja showed that it is possible to bring about change without compromising ethical values. The success of the protest should therefore serve as a model for other Nigerian citizens to follow in their quest for good governance.

Agbajie’s patriotic spirit, enthusiasm and commitment to peaceful protest are commendable, and his efforts have sparked hope for a better future for Nigeria: a future hoped to produce good crop of leaders in Nigeria.