Issue #14
Hello reader, 👋
It’s another weekend and as always, we’ve brought your weekly dose of some Soft Pallet.
We had a no-show for the past week because the whole team was occupied with some official stuff. You can encourage us to do better by sharing this newsletter with your friends and enemies.
Meanwhile, here's a pro tip for you:
When travelling to an unfamiliar region, use a small travel bag. That way, you’re compelled to travel light. You do not need the extra weight. Don't be shy to ask for directions too. Better to be inquisitive than sorry.
A lot goes into publishing the Soft Pallet Newsletter every other day in the week. Please do us a solid by sharing this newsletter on your WhatsApp status and Telegram groups.
Here's what we're looking at today:
Panel report on the Lekki tollgate massacre.
Davido raises 181 million in 48 hours
Panel Report on the #EndSars Protest at Lekki.
The panel of enquiry for the investigation of the October 20th 2020 protest at the Lekki tollgate submitted their report to the government on Monday.
The panel led by Justice Doris Okuwobi found in its report, the Nigerian troops were blamable for the murder of peaceful protesting citizens.
“At the Lekki Toll Gate, officers of the Nigerian Army shot, injured and killed unarmed helpless and defenceless protesters, without provocation or justification, while they were waving the Nigerian Flag and singing the National Anthem and the manner of assault and killing could in context be described as a massacre,” the report said.
The report also verified that at least 46 unarmed protesters were either shot or injured by the Nigerian troops.
The Government's Deafening Silence
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammad has been silent since the release of the report.
The Minister denied claims that citizens were indeed shot at the tollgate following the sad demise, insisting that the massacre never happened.
DJ Switch and the Rest of the World.
DJ Switch finally vindicated, took to Twitter to write after the release of the report that, “…the truth needs no defence”.
The popular disc jockey was called out by Lai Mohammed for trying to “destabilise the country” as having been present during the dreadful night, she live-streamed the incident and gave an eye-witness account of the event.
Other activists; individuals and groups, such as comedian Mr Macaroni, Falz, Rinu, and Amnesty International have commented since the release of the report, demanding justice for victims and recompense to their families.
Dig Deeper: Lagos State #EndSars Panel of Inquiry Report.
Davido raises ₦184 million in less than 48 hours
Nigerian singer David Adeleke (a.k.a Davido) has raised more than N181. 4 million after he shared his account details on his social media platforms on Wednesday.
The singer who share a post on Wednesday asking his fans to send him money said on Instagram that “If you know I’ve given you a hit song…send me money… una know una selves ooo,”
He thereafter posted a Wema Bank account and encouraged his friends to donate 1 million each, ahead of his 29th birthday, today, 19th of November.
At the time of writing this report, the money raised has snowballed to over ₦184 million.
Some of the people who sent him money include MI Abaga, Don Jazzy, Tasha, Chike, amongst others. A more comprehensive list of donors can be found here.
In a subsequent tweet this afternoon, the singer said he might just give all of it away.
WORTH READING 📚
On the curiosity of children. The School of Life.
Empathy Is The Most Important Leadership Skill According to Research. Tracey Brower.
WORTH WATCHING 🎥
How did we get fertility so wrong? Mona Chalabi.
Your Job Achieves Nothing… (probably). How Money Works.
Humans on the Internet 🌐
You can share this newsletter with a friend on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Telegram.
We want to hear from you. Tell us what you think of this newsletter and what else you’d like us to explore. Email us at thesoftpallet@gmail.com
This brief was put together while listening to Odo by Johnny Drille ft Style Plus.
If you don’t already get this newsletter in your inbox, please sign up here and check our archives for other interesting stories.