Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has fired back at human rights lawyer Femi Falana over criticism surrounding his invitation to speak at the Nigerian Bar Association’s annual conference.
VeryDarkMan, in an Instagram video on Friday, defended his participation at the NBA’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt. He insisted that firsthand experience with insecurity gave him something meaningful to contribute to the discussion.
VeryDarkMan defends NBA appearance
Falana had questioned the decision to invite the activist to speak on national security. He argued that specialised discussions at professional gatherings should feature people with relevant expertise and experience.
VeryDarkMan rejected the suggestion that academic or professional credentials should be the only measure of who can contribute to conversations about insecurity.
“This is not about book. It’s about experience,” he said.
The activist argued that he had personally visited communities affected by insecurity. He had also encountered situations that some security experts may only have studied from a distance.
Also he described the criticism surrounding his invitation as a form of classism. He suggested that some people were uncomfortable with someone from an ordinary background sharing a platform with established professionals.
VDM says security concerns everyone
VeryDarkMan stressed that insecurity affects Nigerians regardless of their social or professional status. Therefore, it should not be discussed only by members of the elite.
“Security is for everybody. Security is not for some set of people,” he said.
He added that his appearance at the conference gave him an opportunity to speak about the experiences of Nigerians. Many of these Nigerians may not normally have access to such platforms.
VeryDarkMan said he had not expected Falana to take the position he did. However, he maintained that his contribution to the conference was based on what he had experienced while engaging with people across the country.
The controversy has continued to generate debate online over the type of speakers professional organisations should invite. Moreover, there is a debate over whether lived experience should carry the same weight as formal expertise.
