Choose to be Remembered for Courage : Ex-Rugipo council Boss, Banji Alabi Esq greets Nigerians on New Year 2025
Martin Luther King Jr. “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Today, I want to talk to you about the power of solidarity, the strength of our collective voice, and the impact of our actions.
We’ve all been in situations where we felt marginalized, oppressed, or silenced. But I ask you, what’s worse than the hate speech of our enemies? It’s not the venomous words that cut deep, but the deafening silence of our friends.
The silence that says, “I’m not getting involved.” The silence that says, “It’s not my problem.” The silence that says, “I’m too afraid to speak up.”
But I’m here to tell you that silence is not an option. Not when someone’s dignity is being stripped away. Not when someone’s rights are being trampled. Not when someone’s voice is being silenced.
We must remember that our silence is not neutrality; it’s complicity. Our silence is not peace; it’s surrender.
So, I urge you today to break the silence. Speak out against injustice. Stand up for the marginalized. Amplify the voices of those who’ve been silenced.
Remember, it’s not the words of our enemies that will define us, but the actions of our friends. Let us be the friends who show up, who speak up, and who stand up for what’s right.
Let us be the ones who create a world where everyone’s voice is heard, everyone’s dignity is respected, and everyone’s rights are protected.
We can do this, friends. We can create a world that’s more just, more equitable, and more loving. But it starts with us. It starts with our willingness to break the silence and take a stand.
As Martin Luther King Jr. so eloquently put it, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Let us choose to be remembered for our courage, our compassion, and our commitment to justice.
Thank you. Happy New Year
Banji Alabi Esq
