Activism is not only a culture but a social engagement which requires dedication,commitment,courage and endurance.When a person chooses to toy the path, one must be prepared to take the risks associated with it.An activist commands respect,if he/she is seen to be a person of honour and integrity.But when activism is propelled by materialism, prejudice,pride,quest for vengeance and desire to exploit situations to ones advantage,it becomes invidious adventure.
When an activist allows personal idiosyncrasies to dictate the style and approach being adopted in any struggle,it portrays such a person as a mere charlatan.
However,without genuine activists,society will remain dull,stagnant,brutish and will be dominated by the oppressors.
For an activist to succeed,he/she needs experience,knowledge,security consciousness,reliable information sources,knowledge of intelligence gathering,good organisational skill and ability to articulate and sustain prolonged demands.
Over confidence and over zealousness are psychosocial tendencies that can predispose an activist to untimely death.
Every society needs dynamic,versatile and consistent activists to achieve greatness. Emergence of social media brand of activism is a welcome development but activists in this category needs to be conscious of limitations to freedom of expression and the risks involved in activism.
As long as the elite continue to oppress,exploit and deny the citizens their inalienable rights,activists would always have reasons to criticise,attack and speak against misuse of power by the ruling class.


SOBOWALE OLAYINKA
PUBLIC AFFAIR ORATOR
IJEBU NORTH