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It was Martin Luther King Jnr. who said “human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals”
The rhetorics of human existence has never eschewed the question of what would have become of human society without the selfless actions of social reformers all over the world who dare to question the authoritative society in the face of intimidation, threats and outright torture of those who reprove the set order. From abolitionists to feminists and suffragists; civil right activists to environmentalists and the rest. They view the human society as imperfect and try to influence the social norms and conditions that are ingrained into the structure of the society which are often biased against certain sections of the society.
Resolute with their uncompromising voice and teeming crowd, they inspire a reform movement that bring about a gradual change in the society through mind education, sensitization and awarness about an issue of public outcry. Strongly armed with the fact that every society has its own stories about the atrocities meted out to certain segments or opinions of its population, they bear through the allegiance of a common course to fight for the weak, stand up for the marginalized and speak for the voiceless in the street.
No gainsaying that through thick and thin, Natasha Hadiza Akpoti has resiliently built reputable ideals of million disciples with no compulsion but result-oriented convictions. She has come to mean different things to different people. To some Nigerians, Natasha is a veteran Activist whose unique strength contradicts the perceived disposition of the feminine gender. Some have likened Natasha’s kind heart to that of compassionate soul of the Calcutta’s Teresa; her pragmatism to that of the British Hilder Thatcher’s. While others have likened her resilient vision to that of Luther King Junior’s, the Gandhi’s and the Mandiba’s kind of advocacy that liberated once drowning nations of the world.
Quite timely for this current generation who are still struggling to produce the next heroes after the era of the Ahmadu Bello’s, the Awolowo’s, the great Zik’s, Queen Amina’s, Fumilayo Kuti’s, the Lady Kwali’s and the rest. Natasha Hadiza Akpoti has emerged from a corner of the nation – redeeming the hope of the current and setting greater pace for the next generation. Very profounding in the anals of time that a soul bears an ideology of a breed between philanthropy and social reformation after the MKO’s of blessed memory.
Whereas, Minty Harriet Tubman was born a slave into the land of slavery, but she never died a slave and her people too were salvaged out of slavery with her strong determination. The British will ever be grateful to William Wilberforce and co. For not minding the cost but championing the cause of of anti-slave-trade. Indians will never live to forget the silent civil disobedience victory of the Gandhi’s. We so much believe that in earnest the visions of the Natasha’s shall manifest against odds.
If Samora Machel and Nelson Mandela would be remembered for freedom;
Kwame Nkruma and Patrice Lumumba remembered for African Nationalism;
Shaka Zulu remembered for a dreamt strong Zulu nation;
Chinua Achebe remembered for Things Fall Apart;
Queen Nzinga remembered for her fierce fight against colonialism;
Ken Saro Wiwa remembered for the oil-rich but poor Ogoni people;
Then, we owe history no doubt that Natasha Hadiza Akpoti shall be remembered for Ajaokuta steel and economic emancipation of Ebira nation, Kogi State and Nigeria some day.
Long live NHA!
– Hamza Lamisi
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