There have been pockets of violent eruption, demonstration and protest witnessed during my school years. But none of them can be compared with Oko-Haram. Although there's a cause for such action, Oko-Haram stands tall with unique reasons which affects the dignity and personality of every students in our school. What really is Oko-Haram and how did it happen?
My school is one of the respected and prestigious education establishment in the southeast region of my country. We prided in many scientific, engineering, agricultural and humanities studies with really impact on the human development and prosperity.
The academic level is very high and students are highly skilled and trained with good character and manners. As best school in the east, every family wants their kids to pass through our school and be respected like us. Federal Polytechnic Oko remains the best among all.
As a federal educational institution located in a cool town known as Oko, everyone wants to be there. Oko is a semi - urban settlement with many amenities. Thanks to the foremost and former deputy president of Nigeria, Late Sir Alex Ekwueme. Who with his vision establish many companies, amenities and educational institution in his country home to improve the quality of human force in his region. But what really is Oko-Haram and how does it affect this peaceful town and institution?
Oko-Haram is a acronym used to represent a violent protest and demonstration carried out by students to register their anger over some cultural abnormalities in the town. Students and school authorities are might to respect their host communities. They are supported in various ways because they offer their lands, homes and resources for the growth and stability of the school. But what if their culture affects the school and her students? Problem will burst!
On the cool day of 24th April, 2000, there was a loud cry, gun shoots and uproar in the town that affects everyone in the polytechnic community. Many injured students was rushed to the school clinic and they have been macheted by the angry masquerade of the Town. Oko town have a culture like other igbo communities in the south eastern region of Nigeria where they celebrate their forefather and herald the beginning of planting season. Masquerade dancing is an important aspect of this culture. Whenever they are dancing gracefully, everyone is free to watch and give them gifts which includes money.
Giving of gifts including money is not bad but greed and abuse was the reason why the masquerade become angry and injure the students. Whenever they met any student, out of love for culture will give out some money to them. But what happened when they did not have money or decided not to give money to the masquerade? Those masquerade and their supporters feel let down or disrespected so they act violently on the innocent students which resulted in various degrees of injuries.
Upon seeing the injuries of their follow students, multitude of students flocked the streets and protest over such abnormalities. Gun shots from both parties was heard and rumors of death of students infuriates the students and their bodies into destructive stage of the protest. Many doors and windows of those costly apartments was shattered, shops was looted and injuries was sustained.
The government of the land immediately sent riot police to calm down the situation. School authorities also tried their best to handle this situation but it's out of hand because mob are in charge of this protest. Many quiet and calm students like me flee in large amount on any available transportation facilities to peaceful area. We trekked for hours before boarding busses to our homes.
The effect of the protest was huge as it affects everyone in the polytechnic community. The school authorities taxed every students for money to compensate the Host community but that their culture was abolished till date. The town remains quiet and cool but the lessons of that event is still fresh on our mind till now.
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