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I am on my knees as I
write this….
Before I go in
perspective, I would like to ask some simple questions. Why is it that nobody
wants to be associated with armed robbers? Why is it that even if one benefits
from the proceeds of an armed robber, one is ashamed to say so in public? Why
do Nigerians detest armed robbers so much? Why do parents disown their children
who are armed robbers? Why is it that armed robbers themselves are not proud of
what they do?
I think the answers to
the above questions are as simple as ABC, yet it is somehow difficult for
Nigerians to understand the sequence of logic in order to solve their daily
problems in line with a profession quite similar to armed robbery. Or have you
met any Nigerian who is audacious enough to introduce his or her sibling or
friend as an armed robber? Even wives or lovers, despite the fact that they
know that their partners are men of the underworld, and probably support them;
they do not dare defend them as such in public.
Though such denial has
not basically licked the problems in question, the psychological and
sociological stigma attached to it are still effective. If a daredevil is still
afraid and ashamed to tell people his profession, then we know that he is aware
that he is an outcast. We know that such character lives in fear even though he
terrorizes the minds of his victims. We know that his mind is being terrorized
by his action. We know that he is psychologically defeated. We know that he can
never be as proud even as someone who belongs to the bottom of the totem pole.
You know the ones I am talking about. Don’t you?
Kudos to the Nigerian
families for defeating the spirits of the men of the underworld. I believe it
is their refusal to recognise these daredevils in our midst that has
contributed immensely to the downfall of armed robbery as a profession. Though
these lunatics dash harum-scarum all over our communities, the fact remains
they are not proud of what they do. They are bound to remain in infernal region
even before they visit the House of Hades.
However, it would be a
thing of joy if the Nigerian families could extend their tentacles in order to
defeat another "professions" quite similar to that of armed robbery.
I am talking about polieatics and pen-robbery. These two
"professions" have caused as many damages as that of armed robbery.
Without mincing words, I violently believe it is the Nigerian families that can
successfully thwart the passage of rottenness in our society. For a while moral
degeneracy has followed intellectual degeneration. Let the Nigerian families
fight.
Corruption. Fighting
its opium parlors is easy yet it often appears challenging; it is such an
herculean task. I don't want to pretend as if I don't know this. But every
Nigerian family can help eradicate the various turpitudes of our communities. I
trust we can do it if we want. And this is exactly where the trouble lies. It
seems we do not want to cure our depravity. Then why do we chew solutions like
kola nut every moment? Why don't we just accept the fact that we know the
solution but we don't want the problem solved?
The reason for begging
the Nigerian families is actually to re-direct their approach and thinking
towards the life we live regarding corruption. If they didn't know, it's time
someone told them that the way they herald and honour public officials who
stole money, is part of the dangerous and funny aspect of corruption. A
Nigerian who is not corrupt is often referred to as being foolish. He is a suegbe.
He or she becomes the joke of the family as well as colleagues.
Nigerians who have determined to curb corruption would be surprised their
spouses and even children are not with them in such a bold act.
There is also contradiction
even among those who seem to genuinely abhor corruption; they adore it in other
circumstances. For example, is there any Nigerian who can beat her chest
saying, "if my relatives assumed public office, I would not directly or
indirectly put pressure on them for financial help?" I don't know what my
family would think should I assume public office. Is my family going to express
great joy, thinking it is now their turn to share the so-called national cake,
which is far disappearing anyway?
Would they stay away
from asking for contract? If they came for it and I refused them, would they
still be my family or friends? Or would they hurrriedly call a family meeting,
and admonish me for being foolish? would they say, "Oh, by tomorrow you
shall be in tears over lost opportunities? Would they laugh at me thinking I
have lost touch with reality? Would I be able to withstand such pressure? In
short, what would become of me if I refused to sully my hands by accepting
bribe?
This aspect of us
frightens me as much as a politician's pilfering fingers. As I said earlier,
the solution is pretty simple. What if we treat corrupt public officials and
pen-robbers as armed robbers? What if no one addresses Umaru Yar'Adua for
example, as president because of the way he had assumed office? What if the
families of Obasanjo, Babangida, Adedibu, Uba and co disown them because of the
way they have made people suffer? It is virtually impossible to move forward
when people like James Ibori, Alao Akala, Orji Kalu, Alams, Fayose, Atiku,
Objoke, IBTief and so on are being hailed as heroes.
The idea is this: if
your spouse is a governor and has stolen people's money, divorce him
immediately or if he is your lover, dump him as soon as possible. If yours is a
son or daughter or father or mother or sister who is a senator, legislator,
local chairperson; and he or she has stolen people's wealth, disown him or her.
Let it continue like this. It is simple. Isn't it? But it is equally
challenging. Am I right?
Nigerian families must
be honest with themselves. They must stop deceiving themselves thinking
corruption could be eradicated without lending a helping hand. Nigerian
families must know that they have been implicitly enriching corruption.
Whenever they are ready to get rid of this impairment of virtue and moral
principles, let them take the bull by the horn. Let them treat corrupt
officials including election riggers as armed robbers. Other alternatives would
be wasting of time. It is Nigeria we are talking about.
copyright 2007 mysmallvoice@yahoo.com
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Authors 
Posted by Robot| 20.12.2007 04:02