It's the voice of a generation, haunted by broken promises and shattered dreams. "Youths are the leaders of tomorrow," Often said. It's like a promise whispered like a prayer. For too long, we've stuck to these words like our lives depended on it, But hope is a fragile thing, easily broken by the harsh realities of life. Living a wealthy and comfortable life as a youth became a crime. Being Harassed and threatened with words that can take the breath away. 

  As the doubled year 20 loomed, the collective anguish reached a breaking point. Each passing day brought fresh horrors, the question on everyone's lips was not of hope but of dread: 'Who's next?', 'Not me today, Maybe tomorrow'. We whispered holding on to a very tiny and delicate hope as the dark clouds drew closer. When the breaking point was reached, When the misery became unbearable, the silence shattered into cries of protest. The nightmare unfolds for every young person, from the relentless grip of daylight larceny to the dehumanizing acts perpetrated by those sworn to protect lives and property. The streets, once quiet, become the battleground for angry and vengeful youths driven by loss and victimhood. Some initially hesitate, held back by fear but not knowing who will be victimized threw out on the streets while others find courage in the face of adversity and jump out. 

  It's a dual battle waged on two fronts: the digital battlefield of social media, where keyboard warriors rally support and seek help internationally, and the frontline protest, where courage stands face-to-face with oppression. As narratives of victims flood social media feeds, each story adds fuel to the fire of demand—for justice, for accountability, for change.

  The cry echoes across the nation, from the placards declaring "END POLICE BRUTALITY" to the viral hashtag #ENDSARS. Yet, as days turned to weeks with no response from the authorities, the protest didn't lose its momentum rather it became more intense and kept spreading like wildfire. It's the women who reignite the flame of resistance, fearlessly taking to the streets to document the truth and seek change.  Among them stands Aisha Yesufu, a beacon of courage in a sea of uncertainty, demanding change with unwavering resolve. she yelled with all boldness. 'We aren't seeking change, we demand it that's why we voted you in'. A picture of hers still hovers around social media, standing tall with her fisted right hand and a hijab clamouring for change and justice. 

'SORO SOKE' Yoruba slang for Speak Louder was also used during the protest. A protest that united the tribes of Nigeria. 

 After some Days to 21 days of Protest which the United Nations awaits to intervene, there it all happened. That fateful night, democracy bleeds. The peaceful protest turns into a massacre, as innocent youths are gunned down by those sworn to protect them. The country's flag, once a symbol of unity, becomes stained with the blood of its children. 'Who gave the Order?' became the cries of those who weren't at that battleground. A Homicide planned to be wiped off and denied but the evidence surrounding it was much which brought about the Female Disc Jockey, DJ Switch broadcasting live on Instagram to expose the atrocities committed at the Lekki Toll Gate. 

  October 20, 2020,(20-10-20) marks a black Tuesday that shatters illusions and awakens a nation to its darkness. During the grief and mourning, the question remains: Who will tell their story? Who will speak for the voices silenced in the night? The days that follow are filled with grief and outrage. Parents mourn their children, and a nation mourns its lost innocence. A day of magnanimous grief. Parents who lost their only child were like sand on the seashore, who would speak for them? Who will tell their story? Grieved Mothers carried their dead child with their blood soaking their cloak. What an unimaginable pain! It is rare to see a mother hear the cry of her baby and Ignore but Our Motherland silenced her children for good. 

  As the sun rises and sets, casting its light on a nation in mourning, the stories of our youth echo through the corridors of history. Their tales of bravery and sacrifice will be told and retold until justice is served, as we also await the day of our reckoning with the ones who gave the order

  But the road to justice is long and burdensome. It's filled with obstacles and challenges, but the spirit of resilience burns bright. The voices of the silenced cannot be ignored, and their stories cannot be forgotten. As the world watches, we stand united in our demand for justice for the fallen, for the oppressed, and for the future generations who deserve better. Who tells your story? We do. And we will continue to tell it until justice is served and our voices are heard. 'We shall not forget' became the trending slogan after the massacre. They say in the anthem' The Labour of our Heroes past shall never be in vain', The Youths can relate to this because our heroes were made on the 20-10-20.

#WM2024