Michael Enejison: Voices of Defiance

Curated by Michael Enejison

Curatorial statement
Between October 8th and 20th, 2020 an unprecedented protest in the history of Nigeria took place. Tagged #endsars, the protest was an outcry against police brutality perpetuated by the Special Anti Robbery squad of the Nigerian police. It held in 29 out of 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal capital territory. It also garnered solidarity across cities in the world organized by Nigerians in diaspora and
celebrities. Growing organically in the days that followed and irrespective of government's tactics to derail it, the protest brought a new sense of custodianship, an
awakening of patriotism, political awareness and an previously uncharted unity amongst Nigeria’s diverse cultures, social class, religion and ethnicity. The images
presented in this project are documented photography of four new voices in documentary photography. These images were made between the cities of Benin, Ilorin and Lagos Nigeria while the protests lasted.

The exhibitions zooms into the placards held by the protesters thereby exploring the contexts, agitations, pains and hopes of a nation in turmoil and the eminence of
a renaissance. 

Artists
1. John Arinze: Lekki Referendum Series, 1-15
2. Sodiq Abiola: Compatriots series, 1-10
3. Taiwo Aina : United Voices, series 1-14
4. Victor Zaviano: Unsteered series, 1-13