A popular New Year's phrase in Nigerian Pidgin English, “No dey gree for anybody” (meaning don't let anyone bully or trick you), could be a message of rebellion, after police warned. There is a debate going on.
Although not new, the phrase has quickly become popular since the beginning of the year as a motto for self-reliance and resilience in the face of hardship.
With the country struggling with rising costs of living and security threats from jihadists and kidnapping groups, the phrase has become a mantra to get us through difficult times in 2024.
But the National Police Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, last week warned against the use of the phrase, sparking debate on social media.
“The new slogan for 2023 and 2024 for our young people is ‘We don’t give glee to anyone.’ We have been told by intelligence agencies that this slogan could cause problems nationally. “We received a report that it was from a certain revolutionary wing,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“It's not considered normal talk to be gleeful about everyone, but in the security community it's considered a very, very dangerous slogan.”
It was not clear whether Adejobi was indirectly referring to the youth-led #EndSARS protests against police brutality, which have grown into the largest anti-government rally since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999.
Local media reported that the term “no go glee” has its roots in an old gospel song. Nigerians often speak a mixture of English, pidgin, and one of the country's local languages, such as Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa.
“We started saying it late last year. It means 'resilient', 'persistent',” said Prosper Udeaga, a taxi driver in Abuja. “I can see where the police are coming from, because they're afraid that people who express dissatisfaction could become violent.”
Adejobi's comments quickly sparked debate online, with some critics saying there were deeper problems with police than the latest slang.
Nigeria's security forces are battling jihadists in the northeast, criminal militias and mass kidnappings in the northwest, and escalating regional violence in the central states.
“This shows where their priorities are,” government critic Aisha Yesufu said of the slang warning.
However, shortly after the police statement, even military spokespersons used the slang term to refer to Nigerians not giving any benefits to insurgents.
“We don't like terrorists and we don't like perpetrators of insecurity,” said Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, director of the media department.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also joined in last week to wish the Nigerian football team, the Super Eagles, good luck in the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I don't agree with anyone,” Sanwo-Olu wrote in X. “Bring home the Nations Cup.'' But it wasn't the best start, as the three-time cup winners drew their first game against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
— AFP