Joke Jigan, a Nigerian actress and entrepreneur, has explained that even though her shop was looted by hoodlums, she would take part in protests again.
The actress said that her store, where she sells whitening creams and other products, was looted recently but that she would still take part in protests for the betterment of the country.
She told Sunday Scoop, “I thought these people (government) would listen to the demands of the youths in the course of the #EndSARS protests and truly end the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and police brutality. I was really hopeful that there would be change. On whether I would still partake in protests in the future, it depends on what the protests are about. If it is for the betterment of this country and does not involve violence, I would participate in it.”
Recalling how she got news of the incident, the fair-skinned actress said, “Just a day before the incident, my husband and I had a discussion about the looting that was going on and he said he hoped my shop would not be vandalised. However, I dismissed his concerns. That was why I thought he was actually joking when he broke the news to me the next day. It was initially like a dream to me. When I eventually went to the mall to see things for myself, I did not know what to do as I met people there crying on the floor.”
Posing some questions to those who looted her store, Jigan asked, “Why me? I am not a politician or government official. I am not paid by the government and they are not the ones funding my business or feeding me. I was under the sun protesting for all of us, so I don’t know why anybody would want to do something like that to me.”
The actress maintained that she does not believe in the saying that there is no love in Nollywood because many of her colleagues have come to her aid.
She added, “There is love in Nollywood. I love my colleagues and I did not even expect their kind gestures. I got a lot of calls and messages; it was quite overwhelming. Many people reached out to me, trying to find out how they could be of help.”
She also revealed that she had filled a form provided by the government in the hope that she would get funding to rebuild her business.
“I pray they remember us and give us the money they promised,” she added.
Share your thoughts