Nigerians And Their Colonial Mentality.

As I sit and ponder over what to write, the song of the late sage and musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti ‘Colonial mentality’ came to mind and with the happenings around the world and the way we Nigerians are responding to it, especially those in authorities/ those we look up to, I decided I couldn’t have a more apt topic for this write-up.

Presently, the whole world is gripped with the fear of Ebola virus, which has claimed over a thousand lives, according to a report by the World Health Organisation and somewhere along the way, another diversion is being created in the Ice Bucket Challenge, with prominent people taking up the challenge to help raise funds for the ALS campaign.

In all these challenges, Nigeria is also trying to combat the threat posed by the Islamist Insurgents in the country, Boko Haram. Not only that, the #BringBackOurGirls campaign is still waxing strong despite the government of the country looking the other way.


 

Yes, they are looking the other way. Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a politically backed group yesterday hosted a rally (or campaign) in Ibadan with them clamouring for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan. 

President Goodluck himself is yet to come out and declare his ambition and the questions on the mind of the right thinking members of the country is who is fooling who? If the rally could generate such a crowd, why didn’t TAN organise such a rally demanding the release of the Chibok Girls? After all, they are the Transformation Ambassadors. Colonial mentality!

TAN has come out to tell Nigerians that 1.6 million Igbos are in support of President Goodluck running for a second term but if their claim is right, what about those Igbos still dreaming of a Sovereign State of Biafra? Will they actualise the dream of the Late Odumegwu Ojukwu? Time will surely tell!

On Friday, the Governor of Ondo State, Mimiko decamped from the Labour Party to the Peoples Democratic Party, following in the footsteps of Nuhu Ribadu, who left APC for PDP. Nigerians should still expect more of such as politicians will keep defecting, after all, 2015 general elections is around the corner. Colonial Mentality!

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has said that they would come up with their presidential candidate for the general elections on October and we are all waiting for them to provide the credible candidate that will give Jonathan a run for his money and lead Nigerians to the Promised Land. Will it be Buhari or Atiku? Will they provide a Muslim/Muslim candidate? Will that be the end of the party? Nigerians wait.

Nigerian artistes are taking up the Ice Bucket Challenge but what is the relevance to the present problems the country is facing? What has been their quota to the #BringBackOurGirls campaign? Why can’t they take up a reasonable cause into trying to solve the many challenges the country is currently experiencing? 

Ebola! Ebola, the dreaded virus and Nigeria. The country is coping with this well and kudos to the relevant authorities but more has to be done. The Minister of Health recently confirmed another two cases in the country and the fear keeps growing. Will this menace get to be contained on time?

This is the right time for the National Orientation Agency to wake up to its responsibility and keep the awareness going. They need to help allay the fears of Nigerians by telling them what is and what is not. Nigerians need them the most.

The abducted Chibok Girls are still in captivity. When will they be freed or rescued? Despite the assurance by the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, it seems they are forgotten. Without doubt, the government is focused on 2015 general elections but it will be a major boost if they could #BringBackOurGirls home safely before February 2015.

Can TAN take up a more reasonable campaign? Nobody is against what they are doing but we would really believe they are out to transform Nigeria if they can stage a rally in support of the Chibok Girls. Trust me, Nigerians would buy such!

There is no law that says one can’t belong to any political party and as such, kudos to the APC for being the credible opposition party in the country despite the fact that they have got many bad eggs in their midst. Which part doesn’t have such? They will make the 2015 elections more interesting with whomever candidate they field. 

It will be an injustice not to mention the Journalist, Foley that was beheaded by an Islamist group, IS in Iraq. Your death will never be in vain. 

Lastly, I hope by this time next week, there would be more stability in the world, especially with the Ebola Virus.

MY THOUGHT...