Peace Amidst the Panic

Winnipeg, 2020 — Debra, a resident native of Winnipeg, shared her experience as a member of the diaspora supporting the #EndSARS movement amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020, the world entered a state of panic, leading to the closure of various public places, including shopping malls and concerts. For Debra, this unexpected situation brought an unexpected silver lining, as her boyfriend Obi was able to move in with her a few months earlier than planned.

However, the most tragic event of 2020 was yet to unfold.

On October 20, 2020, the Nigerian Army opened fire on peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos State, Nigeria, resulting in the death of 12 protesters and leaving numerous others injured.

“It was very scary and sad for us because we knew so many people in Nigeria,” expressed Debra.

Despite living halfway across the world from Lagos, Nigeria, Debra and Obi felt compelled to support the #EndSARS movement. While social media provided a platform to raise awareness on such social issues, they believed more tangible action was necessary.

To make a meaningful contribution, the couple decided to reach out to a friend in Lagos who owned a restaurant. Their thoughtful initiative involved providing food to front-line protesters, recognizing the challenges they faced and the potential fatigue they might experience during their protest.

“We were happy because we were able to help by donating through a trusted person,” shared Debra.

Although they couldn’t witness the direct impact of their support on the #EndSARS movement, the satisfaction of contributing beyond a mere social media post brought them a sense of peace amid the ongoing pandemic’s panic.