By Ibraheem Abdullateef
The sun was still making its way out on that day. But work had already started at Banquet Hall, the makeshift store for bags of rice Kwara State Government would be distributing statewide to the indigent to cushion the effect of subsidy removal in the country.
After the flag-off of the distribution exercise with groups and associations in late August, the Kwara State Palliative Committee was to begin the distribution to the 16 local government areas. The trailers were being loaded with the bags of rice to be delivered at designated LGAs to the hands of a sub-committee at the local level which will oversee the sharing with the most vulnerable people in the community.
It looked like a beehive of activity out there and things were going in order. Some members of the committee were monitoring the procession, some were doing documentation, and you could hear another on the phone mobilising stakeholders on the seamless ways to ensure accountability and transparency. It didn’t look like there could be a problem until an hour later.
Out of nowhere, a group of heavily built, daring, stern-looking men stormed the hall and demanded that some bags of rice meant for the people should be handed over to them. They were threatening violence and work stopped momentarily.
“When the ‘good boys’ came, they didn’t want to listen to us. They were like we should give them their own share and so they can leave like that. They came threatening, their voices were threatening, because their faces were intimidating, so they thought they would get whatever they wanted,” said Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, a member of the Kwara Government palliative committee.
In the past, it was common for thugs, otherwise known as ‘good boys’, to go to construction sites, public functions, shops and offices to force workers to give them money or items they do not deserve. People did it out of fear of violence.
It is believed that these kind of people enjoyed patronage from politicians and government which emboldened them to commit crimes, make fortunes from underworld dealings, and evade justice for many years.
However, political watchers believe that this is on steady decline since 2019 — when AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of All Progressives Congress (APC) took office.
The Governor is reputedly unfriendly to thuggery, unlawful empowerment of undeserving and immoral persons, to discourage crimes. Rather, he would initiate the biggest social safety net owned by a sub-national to grant support funds to women, artisans, aged people and innovative young people for their businesses.
The latest test of Kwara Government’s resolve came on 4th September, 2023 when Dr Lawal Olohungbebe and his team were besieged by ‘good boys’ at Banquet Hall.
*No work, no food.*
A group of seven, the men stood looking menacingly.
“So, we told them to look at the people loading and unloading and join them instead of threatening us. They said no. We also stood our ground,” Olohungbebe continued.
“Afterwards, they gathered and held a meeting on my offer. While they were at it, I told them that their time was going and if they didn’t decide on time the money would be reduced.
“Seven of them joined us on the first day, worked throughout the day, and got paid at night. They became ten on the second day, on the third day seventeen, and after that, they became twenty four. Presently, we have thirty two of them working with us.”
*’A living from my sweat.’*
It has been over 3 weeks since that Monday morning Abiodun Saliu, 43-year-old, went with others to disrupt work at Banquet Hall — but now works at the same place.
Abiodun said he felt differently loved and honoured and no longer wants to do thuggery.
“It has been about a month now. I no longer laze about the neighbourhood. I am happy to wake up every morning to join them here and as it puts food on the family table,” said Abiodun.
Married with four kids, he has been arrested several times and has been to prison once.
“If government continues this way, thuggery will be reduced in Kwara. It got rampant because of the lack of employment opportunities, the incentivising of hooliganism and cultism, among others.
“I no longer want to do thuggery. My family is happy with how I work here and make a living from my sweat. We tell people in our community that we are going to the ‘palliative store’ and I feel their joy that we are finally doing something right after a long time.”
On his part, Abdulganiyu Opeyemi, a 42-year-old former countryside farmer, does not want the work to end again as he is now able to pick responsibility at home.
“Thuggery is not fulfilling. There is no progress there. Only work gives one hope for success. I feel so good working here. It looks to me like this exercise should not end again. What I make here caters for my family’s basic needs.”
It was gathered that Opeyemi and his colleagues earn N5,000 each every working day.
This monetary compensation for work and sense of inclusion is very loved by all of them and may spark a renewed sense of purpose for a new life.
*’Bad leaders make bad boys out of good boys’*
Thuggery and hooliganism thrives because of patronage by politicians and the weak justice system. As it was largely believed by residents that it particularly grew in Kwara between 2003 and 2019, some of the players in the game hold similar views.
Some were involved in various degrees of crimes including violence, intimidation, and other things during electioneering.
Saka Jimoh, the leader of all the men working with the committee, has been a political organizer and enforcer since 1979.
“There is no cell room in Oja police station that I have not slept. The longest I go before an arrest is 2 days. I used to sleep 5 times out of 7 days in a week. We have seen a lot,” Saka said.
”Nobody wants to become ‘good boys.’ Bad leaders and the wrong system make bad boys out of the citizens. This is what we met. If the society was a lawful one, where people bear grim consequences for their actions, we wouldn’t be encouraged to become thugs.
“Now, we are aware that the current governor in Kwara is ready to use law to deal with us in the last four years, which is why we are trying to shed bad habits. The boys now understand that finding work pays for them rather than constituting nuisance on the street.
“We were not raised like this. Any indigene of Ilorin smoking weed was influenced by foreign culture. Our fathers don’t even drink alcohol, not to mention weed. If the government can empower us, this is ultimately our last days as street urchins. We will say bye-bye to it. We have demonstrated our readiness with the way we worked hard in the past 3 weeks,” Saka said.
*Ready for change*
Abdulsalam Akanbi, visibly happy and content at hard work, said they understood the stance of government not to encourage indolence and are also ready for change.
“I see how I work now and get paid. This government has no tolerance for indolence. We are ready to work too. There is nothing to gain from hooliganism. They should please give us opportunity.”
Lending his voice to their industry and resourcefulness, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe urged the government to help the repentant thugs further by providing them with an enabling environment to become productive members of the society.
“I have to tell you they are very committed to what they are doing. They love it because they never thought they could get something doing and get paid easily. I can see a high level of commitment with them. They come as early as possible and would not leave until we ask them to leave every day. We see them now as partners.
“I want to believe some of them are not lazy if they get opportunities. Of course, there are some among them who believe in their baritone voice that if they threaten anyone they will give them money. But I have to tell them there are so many opportunities for them if they can rethink and retrace their steps on how to become productive members of society.
“I want to plead with the government as well. *There* are so many programmes they can do with these ‘good boys’* to change them. Especially when it comes to Agriculture, they can be very useful there. Imagine having agric settlement in each local government areas and having all these boys working there. It will take them away from the street. My advice for the government is to provide an enabling environment for them to realise their potential to see how things will work out for them.”
