One evening in June 1993, a certain Oby Ezekwesili walked into my house in the Samaru campus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where I was teaching.She demanded what we were doing to restore the stolen mandate of M.K.O. Abiola. I asked her who she was and the basis of this direct approach. I got your contact from Shehu Yahaya, a mutual friend in the Lagos branch of Concerned Professionals she said. What’s a bloody banker doing organizing street protests all over the country I asked her? The moment the police tear-gassed and beat us up in Lagos Island for exercising our democratic right to protest, I realised that without citizen action the military will turn our country into a Banana Republic, we shall not allow that she insisted. Okay Oby, sits down, let’s share notes, strategise and create traction in the struggle for democracy.
Twenty-two years later, thinking she had been softened by ministerial appointments and World Bank Vice Presidency, one Police Commissioner Mbu told Oby he would not allow her continue daily sit outs at the Unity Fountain where she was embarrassing President Goodluck Jonathan by demanding #BringBackOurGirls, Now and Alive. He thought she was only an ex minister who can be easily intimidated. She showed him he was too small a player to stop the movement which was not just national but worldwide.
Very happy birthday Oby Ezekwesili and wishing you very many happy and healthy returns. May God continue to bless and inspire you?
Your comrade, Jibo
