Re: #Occupy your time better

I read with alarm your opinion article (written by Eugene Enahoro) captioned, “#Occupy your time better!” I was amazed that, instead of making a genuine effort to understand the #OccupyNass activists, you chose to cast aspersions on their motives. You even went as far as to claim (without any shred of evidence) that the protests […]

I read with alarm your opinion article (written by Eugene Enahoro) captioned, “#Occupy your time better!” I was amazed that, instead of making a genuine effort to understand the #OccupyNass activists, you chose to cast aspersions on their motives. You even went as far as to claim (without any shred of evidence) that the protests were “sponsored” and financed by person or persons unknown.
That altruism is alien to Nigeria does not mean that Nigerians can’t for once–and based on their convictions–act selflessly. You found it “difficult to believe” that our compatriots could/would leave their jobs to march for some noble but non-remunerative causes. Really? Well, believe it or not, many of those who turned up at the National Assembly last month were NOT put up to it and they were on nobody’s payroll. The protesters had genuine grievances. All it takes to appreciate the nature and depth of those grievances is to engage the actors fully or, failing that, take a critical and longitudinal view of Nigeria’s governance challenges.
As one of those invited to address the crowd, I not only postponed my overseas trip but also paid my way. I drove all the way from Kwara State to Abuja, and, at my own expense, stayed in a hotel. NO-ONE, I REPEAT, NO-ONE, PAID ME FOR PREPARING AND DELIVERING MY ADDRESS.  If anyone has information to the contrary, he is at liberty to disclose the identities of my “sponsors” to the whole world.
M J Balogun, former Senior Adviser at UN Headquarters