27 Oct 2004 |
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| In Nigeria, we are a peculiar lot; sometimes I wonder if God really created us the same way he did other nationalities like the Irish, the Indians, the Jews and the Banyamulegians of Eastern Democratic Republic. Now do not get me wrong: what I mean by nationality is in the strict sense of the word; a fairly homogenous ethnic combination with the same aspirations to the good things of life and self preservation; not some loose economic confederacy of master/servant relationship in a deluding feeling of camaraderie and brotherhood. Take a cursory look around. ‘Naija’ seems to be different in everything: we take unimaginable pride in things inglorious; we sing hymns of praise at occasions where a dirge would have been suitable; we turn white when we see white, and black when we see black. In our ignorant state of self-deceit, we have perverted religion and communion with the Unknown; our religion stinks to high heavens in the face of our degenerate and immoral thought and reaction patterns; we have become strangers in our homeland. The dilemma of the Nigerian State is that it seeks to chart a path in a dark maze without the torch light of intellectual discourse and moral rectitude. And in this characteristic foolhardiness we trade in self-delusion, deceit and ultimately misery and anarchy. Time without number I have wondered who we are and where we have come from. Often times I have asked friends but every one seems to be at a loss. No doubt about it, Nigeria is a land of contrasts: we have the unimaginably rich and the painfully poor; we have the refreshing beautiful and the frighteningly ugly; Nigeria has produced and will continue to produce people who are intellectually captivating and also those who are bewilderingly dumb; we have reknown and reputable diplomats and statesmen and also the criminally minded almost in equal measure. ‘Naija’ is a peculiar lot. I am convinced God oftentimes must be wondering how He put Nigeria together. In the name of our religion we maim and kill; our idea of a genius is not one who engages in mindful academic pursuits; rather it is anyone who defrauds a bank in an infamous deal or beats WAEC or JAMB security apparatus in a school leaving or entrance examination; a genius is a contract scammer with a Ministry of government parastatal, with huge kickbacks. Nigeria has become a phenomenon: our neighbours sneer at our collective stupidity and scorn at our ever-deepening misery in the midst of plenty. Even with five years of democracy, we are worse off. One wonders if it was the same in other climes where this system of government has taken root. What we never imagined seem to be unfolding before us with frightening clarity: to think any Nigerian could be nostalgic of the ‘abacha years’ when our collective psyche was brutalised by a mean and near demented dictator (no pun intended). But it is here with us: nostalgia of a state of rot. Nigerians are so hard at heart that they can no longer be shocked. We have heard and seen so much to the point that one could say we are immuned to shock. We eagerly await the abduction of another seating governor a la ngige or the summary dismissal and deposing with military fiat of another governor as it was done in Plateau State. Infact it is in this mindset of shocklessness that we received the news of the ‘missing’ ship, with our dear Police, SSS and the Navy cheering and trading claims at the background. How in God’s name can a ship get missing? Mind you we are not talking about a barge or a canoe. It is only in ‘naija’. A couple of days back we were reminded of the Nigeria in us. The Super Falcons had routed the Lionesses of Cameroon with a 5 – 0 bashing to lift the African Female Nations Cup, thereby winning it for an unprecedented four times. We were all happy; then the bubble burst. Of course I do not blame the girls for putting all of us to shame; it is only in Nigeria that the authorities will promise players bonuses and renege even before it is pay-day. And it keeps coming back to us. Whenever our sports heroes make us proud, we pay them back in shame; Obiekwulu had to remind us that he is Portuguese and said so proudly. In a country where morality still has a place in the minds of the citizens, the Minister of Sports, the NFA Chairman and Secretary General would have all resigned their positions for bringing the entire nation to such shame. But this is Nigeria and not South Africa or Belgium. The Minister even wants us to thank him for arranging a late payment of the bonuses, and for flying the girls home. The Falcons are patriots, and remember, ‘the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain…’ Well they are home and ‘baba’ has welcomed them, at least not with the blind castigating of a war hero. Kudos to ‘baba’ for not succumbing to the NFA and Sports Ministry blackmail. At least for once in a long time, he is not on the side of marketers. God is watching us. Awa Ikoro is based in France
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