With the ongoing protest in Nigeria, award winning actress, director and producer -Genevieve Nnaji writes an open letter to the president of Nigeria. In this letter, she stated that her 13 year old niece was harassed by the Special Anti-robbery Squad. She also pleaded with the president to command SARS to stand down.
“My niece was harrassed by SARS for carrying a laptop. Her own laptop. She was slapped across the face for simply asking why her laptop was being seized. At only 13, she had to deal with police brutality. Complaints were made and nothing was done. No one is spared and we are all affected.
“Mr. President, this is the current state of your country. The stability of a nation is largely dependent on leadership. And every head of house has one chance to build their legacy. Sir, you’ve had two. What our country is today is a refelction of your leadership. Your legacy. I’m getting weary and tired of being optimistic about change but even then I can’t complain. I am one of the priviledged few but that doesn’t mean that I get to give up now.So I will speak.”
“Mr President, it’s time to lead. I remain saddened by the fact that my country is only an incubator for greatness and not a habitat. The world is clearly moving on. With or without us. What will your legacy be when it’s all said and done ? I aspire for mine to leave a mark and not a scar. I urge you to speak to us because we are not mind reader. Your house is not in order and way far from stable. The police aren’t being empowered, neither are they being protected. Industries such as Entertainment and Technology that are currently boosting our economy and empowering the youth are being frustrated. All under your regime.”
“WE ARE NOT ALL CRIMINALS and shouldn’t be treated as such. If there is an increase in crime, it’s a s a result of the increase in poverty. We honestly do not believe in crime, it’s as a result of the increase in poverty. We honestly do not know the difference between the criminals and the law enforces anymore. While there are clearly good people in the force, the bad ones are overshadowing them. The lack of value for human life in our country is disheartening and heartbreaking.
We would have less criminals if we had more job opportunities. Criminals would be fewer and easier to catch. The police needs to be our friend and not our enemy. We need law enforcement to work with us and not against us. Contrary to what you may believe Mr President, We are not lazy. We are under-utilized.
Leaders will come and go, but we the people will remain. We will survive. We always have. But we won’t forget. Right now, your administration is standing in the way of our survival. If the country is unwilling to be great, the least you can do is let us be great by ourselves.
Mr. President, you are the Commander-In-Chief. I plead with you to command your troops to stand down”