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Founder's Letter - Jackie Aina, Sòrò Sókè & The Importance Of Accountability

In my opinion, one of the most important things that a community should do is hold each other accountable. Yes, of course we should cheer each other on like no one else, but the only way a community can make real progress is if we allow each other to say when we are wrong and ask each other to do better.

That is why I whole heartedly agree and have been glad to see the very fair critique over Jackie Aina’s choice to name a candle from her new collection Sòrò Sókè. For those who don’t know, thousands of (mainly young) Nigerians decided to protest the abuse they had faced at the hands of a now defunct special anti robbery squad known as the SARS police unit. During the protests many young Nigerians were beaten and devastatingly murdered at the Lekki Tollgate. The murders were filmed by witnesses and soldiers were seen shooting at protestors. Of course the Nigerian government deny that they were responsible for the murders. During these demonstrations, the protestors cried the words: Sòrò Sókè meaning speak up. This rallying cry, these words Sòrò Sókè embodied the determination to create a movement from Nigerian youth that would no longer accept police brutality and corruption. This rallying cry, these words: Sòrò Sókè may have been some of the last words that some protesting may have said before their lives were so violently taken away from them.