I write, not to the Americans, but to Nigerians. Whatever Obama has done concerning the Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab situation is justifiable, something a good leader who has the interest of his country at heart will do… (I wish I could say that again, and pretend it is not tautologous).
Everyman has a right to preserve the security and integrity of his country? America is distinguished in this area, and do we not all desire to live and serve in a country, where your life and well-being means something; where you know you can get justice, and where you know you can speak the truth and not get locked away for it, merely because you do not belong to a social sect where people can speak and do anything they like (good or bad) and get away with it.
I have been reading a lot of posts on facebook and a lot of other blogs on the views of Nigerians on the blacklisting issue. I say to you folks, that is what governments do for their people. If we are not getting it in Nigeria, we must not blame the Americans for it.
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? – Matthew16:32
How many times has the Nigerian government spoken out against the crimes of America and Americans against Nigeria and Africa? We speak of the blacklisting because we believe America is a land of opportunities that we should not be denied from going to. Who made it so?
When are we going to start deporting Americans for doing wrong in Nigeria? When are going to start getting then locked up and insist that they do time for the crimes we know they are committing in Nigeria. Please why are we making so much noise about this, when all they have done is show us how a government ought to be run? We should borrow a leaf from this and get our act together as a nation, instead of crying foul.
Umar is an effect, not a cause. Umar is the product of a lack of mentoring, lack of patriotism, lack of true leadership. He is the product of the illusion that the grass is always greener on the other side, which was caused by the same people who benefited from good education in Nigeria, and now are the patrons and financiers of organisations that have turned our universities into ganglands.
Let us stop complaining about what America has done. If the exchange rate was $1 to 70kobo, who would have bothered? Why should we lose our souls… the very soul of the nation – our pride, our glory and our honour, just to keep dining with the very contributors to the perversion in our system?
Let us rebuild the broken walls of our nation – our value system, our pride and our glory. Let us remember the things we had forgotten and teach our children what they ought to know. Let us not blame our children for mistakes we had made (Not to indict Umar’s dad, because all I know about him is that he is a rich retired banker). In Africa, it takes a village to raise children.
Our military leaders were bold enough to sometimes take a stand against America and the West. We called them dictators, and became stooges to America and the west, for the purpose of driving them out-we shouted for democracy. My question, how many civilian leaders have had the guts to tell America and the West “this is how far you can go when it comes to our nation”. I am not making a case for the military governments either, but I would very much like to agree with Alexander pope, that “for forms of government let fools contend. What is administered best is best”.
This is an opportunity for us to truly rebuild our broken walls. Let us work together to restore our pride. Let us change the subject and stop making a fuss about the blacklisting. We ought to have done the same when America and the West came in and perverted everything we hold so dear in our country, from the media, to the church and our entire political system. Let us start thinking again… That is what governments (and good citizens) do.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land – 2 Chronicles 7:14. This my brothers and sisters is where our rebranding must start from. Somebody tell Akunyili, that is WHAT GOVERNMENTS DO
Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribe and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all and proud to serve
Our sovereign motherland
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign
In peace or battle honour
And this we count as gain
To pass unto our children
A banner without stain
O God of all creation
Grant this our one request
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed
