A dramatic scene unfolded in Abuja as popular social media critic, Martins Vincent Otse, known to many as VeryDarkMan, led a protest at the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The protest was a direct response to Wike’s recent announcement to withhold 10% of the statutory allocation to area councils. This decision was made due to the councils’ failure to implement the new minimum wage for primary school teachers, a move that has led to an ongoing strike.
On Monday, VeryDarkMan took a creative approach to his protest by gathering school children dressed in their uniforms and conducting an impromptu class at the minister’s gate. In a clever and engrossing way, he taught the children the letters of the alphabet, weaving in names that seemed to carry a message. “S for Suegbe, T for Tinubu, W for Wike,” he called out, with the children repeating after him. This unconventional method of protest not only drew attention to the issue at hand but also highlighted the impact of the strike on the education of young minds.
VeryDarkMan’s actions were not just a form of protest but also a statement. By declaring that Wike’s gate would henceforth serve as the pupils’ new classroom, he underscored the urgency of resolving the issue that has left primary school teachers on strike and their students out of school. The use of the minister’s residence as a makeshift classroom was a stark reminder of the consequences of the standoff between the government and the area councils over the minimum wage implementation.
The ongoing strike has brought to the fore the deeper issues within the education sector, particularly the welfare of teachers and the plight of students caught in the middle. VeryDarkMan’s protest, though unorthodox, has brought international attention to the matter, highlighting the need for a swift resolution to ensure that schools reopen and teachers receive their rightful compensation.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community watches with interest, hoping for a peaceful and equitable resolution that prioritizes the education and welfare of the children affected by the strike. The creative form of protest initiated by VeryDarkMan has not only raised awareness about the issue but has also inspired conversations about the role of civic engagement in bringing about change.
