IN Nigeria, both the good, the bad, the awkward and the obscene co-exist. There are open evidence of coalescence or amalgamation of reality and fantasy.
This piece takes a cursory look at some recent events in Nigeria. Among the commonest references in our day-by-day existence are corruption, kidnapping and restructuring.Talking about kidnapping, a new dimension was witnessed in the recent episode of the Nigeria-Turkish International College, Isheri, Ogun State. (Hereafter Turkish Collegefor short). There, five school girls and three staff were kidnapped. Soon after, one of the girls fell ill and the kidnappers were so very kind enough- they took her to the clinic or hospital. After treatment,the girl was returned to the kidnappers.
Can you beat that record! Is this reality or frivolity or pure fantasy! To be quite frank, I think the kidnappers deserve a medal for this wonderful demonstration of “realistic-foster-parenting”. However, how can ordinary layman understand the drama? I strongly recommend that the movie-makers (aka Nollywood) should put this into a film. The public would be particularly glad to watch who, how, when the girl was taken to the hospital; where did the foster parent (aka kidnapper) stay while the girl was being treated and how, where, when did the hospital return the girl “back-to-sender”. The movie will be a chart-buster.
Anyway, congrats to the police, the DSSetc. Double congrats to our lucky Governor-Senator Ibikunle Amosun (FCA ;……..) who got the girls back intact-on his own birthday. That was evidently a wonderful and worthy gift to His Excellency on his wonderful day. Talking reality, we should congratulate Mavrodi Moneybox Mundial (MMM) subscribers and MMM Directors on their resumption of duty after their sabbatical holiday. Is it not frivolous to say Nigerians hate you?
Big pity for the woman who died because of the shock of suspension of operations by the MMM. I strongly, though humbly, suggest a befitting send-off to the unlucky woman maybe her shock absorber was too thin to assimilate the temporary operations suspension by MMM. Don’t ask me who and who got the baptism of fire. Whispers circulated that senior church pastors were involved. Can we therefore conclude that even saints sometimes act frivolous or rascally when hunting for money especially in Nigeria! Is this phenomenon restricted to Nigeria?
The Tribune, adjusting to economic reality, became the last daily newspaper to up the daily tariff. This is concrete evidence that the founder’s love for masses is a noble tradition still being kept aglow. It is big kudos to the Tribune. Our Tribune is still masses-friendly. Say it anywhere, I am a Tribune addict. The adjustment is evidence of “reality-control”. God bless the Tribune.
Recently, the Minister of State for Education – Prof Anthony Anwugah was quoted, “I have been pondering whether as a country … We can not brace up …. That education is a federal project. Like Army etc … education must be entirely run by the Federal Government …” My comment: Bravo, the Prof/Minister. Usually those who rose to Professorship propound theories based on research. From their findings, they propound theories which most often, are for the benefit of mankind. Such theories receive worldwide acceptability because of its empirical validity. In this particular instance, our erudite Prof “ponders” that the policies, structures, plans and programmes which Nigeria’s founding fathers had operationalised for several decades now need a rebranding which is total centralisation.
A friend tweeted “this is equalisation theory being carried to 100percent rascality level”… It is like organising a race between a snail, tortoise, dog, hare and antelope such that when given 200metres race, they can all arrive at the finishing line at the same time. Habah Nigeria! Can this be a ministerial frivolity or fantasy!
Sometime ago, the substantive Minister of Education – Mallam Adamu propounded a declaration of “NO” to post – JAMB exams”. To ensure compliance, stiff penalties were listed to await any institution that attempts to trivialise this “golden” law. Our Minister for Education is not a Prof. As if that was not enough, our Minister of State “ponders” that the entire education architecture from primary to tertiary level, must be harmonised via his “think” theory. For this wonderful concept, I believe our learned Prof qualifies for OON, MON, GCFR all at once.
Talking of restructuring, each time the word is mentioned, some over-patriotic Nigerians raise the hollow alarm, “they wan break-up Nigeria”. Very many clear-headed, patriotically-focused Nigerians have opined that restructure is not synonymous with break up. However, a federal nation should be federal in name, nature, structure, operations including educational, medical, financial etc. Such Nigerians believe that if a modest restructuring is carried out, majority of the nation’s current headaches, which make our progress too slow or stagnant, can be gone for ever.
Cases like multiple pipelines vandalism kidnapping, robbery, burning, Biafra Jihadism – IPOB and allied assaults will slide down immediately. The Niger Delta Avengers may transform to Niger Delta Arrangers/Builders, the aggregate result being increased revenue both to Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole. This appears pragmatically realistic. Painfully enough, opponents canvass for over-centralization and trivializing such concept as break-up.
In the name of everything that is noble, decent and peaceful, what stops Nigeria restructuring to bring the best out of every component zone or region? The answer is “blowing in the wind” God bless Nigeria.
- Bisuga, a retired military officer, is based in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Nigerian Tribune
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