#END SARS SUNDAY, OCTOBER1 NOVEMBER 18, 2020 ...NOT IN THISDAY STYLE? THEN YOU’RE NOT IN STYLE VOICES FROM THEOF STREETLAGOS PROTEST! WANTONDESTRUCTION PICKING UP THE PIECES!#CARNAGEANDLOOTINGS LAGOS HIGH COURT IGBOSERE HIGHCOURT LAGOS LAGOS CITY HALL LAGOS OBA OF LAGOS PALACE OFLAGOS OBA CONTENT THE CARNAGE AND THE BEING OUR BROTHER’S SPOILS PG 4-6 KEEPER PG 18-19 SOME VICTIMS OF THE THE GOOD DEEDS OF CARNAGE PG 8-14 THE PROTESTERS PG 20 SOME OF THE MORE PEOPLE’S DESTRUCTION OF EXPERIENCES PG 22 PROPERTIES PG 16-17 It’s by now a well-worn script world over: faced with social injustices and unaddressed grievances, mass numbers of people mobilize to protest publicly, and sometimes that action is hijacked by hoodlums who take advantage of the situation to express acts of violence and vandalism. This is what happened with the recent wanton destruction of Lagos state. The STYLE team report... During these turbulent times, there were many videos flying around. Some of them real, some of them fake. Amidst the videos was one of Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El Rufai where THISDAY STYLE he spoke about about the ‘quality or lack thereof’ of elected officials meant to serve the FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR people who voted them into power. He went further to state that there are many ‘bad people’ in politics simply because the ‘good people’ don’t want to get their hands dirty RUTH OSIME 08111847085 in the murky waters of politics. This comment did not come as a surprise because there EDITOR PRINT is bitter truth in what he said. After all, how do we expect the change we yearn for if we OLUFUNKE BABS-KUFEJI 08111847086 are not willing to get into the battlefield and fight for it? How many of us have been to meetings in our various constituencies to stay abreast and play a significant role in the EDITOR DIGITAL voting processes of our representatives. If intellectually savvy people are not involved at KONYE NWABOGOR 08111847087 this level how do we expect to have an impact at the much higher level? Yes, the thought of plunging into a terrain like politics is most daunting to say the least SENIOR ART DESIGNER but we need that courage, we need the determination and we need the adequate support MATHIAS ARCHIBONG 07054965500 required for any educated, well exposed person that decides to come forward. Only then, can we begin to break down this invisible wall between the enlightened and educated against CONTRIBUTORS the primitive and backward. This difference played a major role in the hijacking of the recent peaceful RUKY SALAKO #endsars protests. The young, mostly educated youths turned out enmasse to fight for change. But aside from these ISIOMA USIADE youths, where those who only understand the language their hungry stomachs dictated to them. The former, with good intentions and IYANU AYODELE highly altruistic motives unfortunately took no notice of the latter factor. The latter, largely hopeless, deranged, emotively motivated who hugely have nothing to live for, simply destroyed the scientific efforts of 12 days anchored and nurtured by the former, in just two GUEST CORRESPONDENTS days. They created the ‘torture room’ of the otherwise peaceful protesters. Warehouses were looted. Shops were looted. Buildings were AZUKA OGUJIUBA burnt. Historical monuments ravaged. Businesses that took many years to build, were destroyed in hours! Who do you blame? The ZINA ANUMUDU impoverished youths, or the country that made them monsters? JOANNA MACGREGOR Now the storm is over, the ruins remain staring us in the face. A stark reality of the reflection of the times. We watch our government SEYI ALAWODE squirm and try to put the spilt milk back in the can. Not possible. They have stirred the hornets nest and we watch as they try to or at least ‘seem’ to try to correct their wrong albeit still failing woefully. PHOTOGRAPHER This is a wake up call. The youths now realize getting the Nigeria they want is in their hands. We can only pray and watch as their goal TY BELLO unfolds. They have age on their side. I pray for a Nigeria that they will, one day, be proud DIRECTOR, PRINT PRODUCTION to call ‘their own’ in time to come! CHUKS ONWUDINJO 08077092196 Instagram: @thisdaystyle | Twitter: @thisdaystyleon | Instagram: @thisdaystyle | Website: www.thisdaystyle.ng FASHION DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE EDITOR THISDAY Style THISDAY Style COVER Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 COVER Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 #carnageandlootings Before After THE CARNAGE AND THE SPOILS BY KONYE CHELSEA NWABOGOR It’s by now a well-worn script world over: faced with social injustices and unaddressed grievances, mass HIGH COURT OF LAGOS numbers of people mobilize to protest publicly, and sometimes that action is hijacked by hoodlums who take advantage of the situation to express acts of violence and vandalism. This, right here, was the situation with the #endsars movement in Lagos, as what began as a protest against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad become a conduit for hoodlums to negatively vent their anger by carrying Before After out attacks which ranged from arson, destruction of properties, and looting of valuables in the state. It was like a raging volcano exploded as the streets were filled with hoodlums destroying and looting everything in sight without a care in the world. For once, they had the chance to vent out their frustrations by a government that failed them. A government that did not care about the common man. A government that has reduced them to a state of no return. A government they were determined to bring to its knees so their anger could be felt and their lamentations heard. Never in the history of Lagos has the state witnessed such carnage that made all the inhabitants quiver with fear. No one felt safe in their homes. No one could step out. All we saw were videos of properties destroyed and reduced to rumbles. The pictures sent a harrowing chill down the spine of all who saw and watched in amazement as the destructions and lootings took place. It was a free for all carnage spree and the fact that so much damage could be done within a short space of time felt like the state was at war with its citizens. A war that strongly tilted in the favour of the hoodlums because like an angry enraged lion, hungry for blood, they could not be pacified. They wanted blood. At all costs! Within 48 hours, the hoodlums destroyed properties, businesses and valuables worth billions of naira. Some of them landmark locations and historical monuments. OBA OF LAGOS PALACE While these structures might be easy to rebuild, the historical assets which surround these monuments are forever lost. The destruction of property and injuring of innocent people is not only a perversion of our Constitutional freedoms but also a perversion of the peaceful demonstrations by those attempting to get police reforms. While we heal as a nation, we should bear this in mind and also heed to the wise words of the great Martin Luther King Jr; “The strong man is the man who will not hit back, who can stand up for his rights and yet not hit back.” Before After BRIEF HISTORY OF DESTROYED MONUMENTS CITY HALL Built by Lagos State Government in 1900. Demolished in 1998. Rebuilt in 2009. The Lagos City Hall, established in 1900, was the secretariat of the oldest local government in Nigeria. It is located within the Brazilian quarters, right in the center of the Lagos business district. Re-modelled and renovated to its present modern look by the Babatunde Fashola administration, it is now a major event center and tourist attraction. The City Hall used to be the local government headquarters with other area offices serving the entire local governments in colonial Lagos and after Nigeria’s independence. The City hall was the fountain of local government administration in Nigeria and the secretariat of the Lagos Island local government, the doyen of Nigeria’s native or grassroots administration The City Hall Lagos is a historical monument of enviable architectural grandeur, a symbol of the rich culture of the Lagos Island people, and the latest address for exclusive events, entertainment and tourism. LAGOS CITY HALL 4 5 THISDAY Style STYLE & DESIGN THISDAY Style COVER Vol. 22, No. 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 Vol. 22, 9306 Sunday, November 1, 2020 #carnageandlootings BRIEF HISTORY OF DESTROYED MONUMENTS LAGOS HIGH COURT Built in 1967, the same year Lagos state was formed. Oldest and most recognizable Judicial Building In Nigeria. The Lagos City Hall, established in 1900, was the secretariat of the oldest local government in Nigeria. It is located within the Brazilian quarters, right in the center of the Lagos business district. Re-modelled and renovated to its present modern look by the Babatunde Fashola administration, it is now a major event center and tourist attraction. The City Hall used to be the local government headquarters with other area offices serving the entire local governments in colonial Lagos and after Nigeria’s independence. The City hall was the fountain of local government administration in Nigeria and the secretariat of the Lagos Island local government, the doyen of Nigeria’s native or grassroots administration SENIOR STAFF OF THE FEDERAL LEGAL DEPARTMENT (NOW FEDERAL The City Hall Lagos is a historical monument of enviable architectural grandeur, a symbol of the rich culture of MINISTRY OF JUSTICE)ON THE STEPS OF THE LAW COURTS BUILDING, the Lagos Island people, and the latest address for exclusive events, entertainment and tourism. LAGOS 1959 IGA IDUNGARAN OBA OF LAGOS PALACE The ancient palace was initially built around 1630 and the modern part was completed in 1960.