Midnight Meditation, By Dr Mikail Barau

For time immemorial, it is much easier in mental and physical convenience to take side with the high and mighty than to do so with the weak and oppressed.

The strong and powerful have the instruments to make their standards and ideals look good at the expense of the poor and miserable.

Think about all prophets and saints, philosophers and thinkers; you will find them siding with the weak.

Think about world greatest tyrants and oppressors, autocrats and totalitarians; you will find them in a league with their powerful allies.

The media, armed forces, education system, religion, industries, sports and middle-class elements in civil and corporate circles are mostly mediators of power in the service of the state in more subtle ways than they and average mind perceive.

Poor Kaduna teachers and Kano's Maishayis are recent episodes in Nigeria providing us with social fields for observing the such subtle unending power dynamics and struggle.

While the debate continues, it is gratifying to be on the side that rejects massive displacement of the masses and subscribes to succor and support. At least, it is more in line with the descent past!