Obafemi Martins's Mother And A Nation's Agony
By Reuben Abati

"Poor Obafemi Martins"; "I really feel for the guy, you know, to be told that your dear mother died suddenly, simply because a petrol tanker hit a kerb and exploded and noxious fumes took over the environment which your mum inhaled and a health crisis ensued."

"The report I read stated that she screamed when she saw the balls of fire that engulfed Orile and suddenly lost consciousness. The shock of the explosion affected her. She was hypertensive. Only God knows how many other people died out of shock"

"That was a terrible tragedy. I woke up that morning to listen to the radio news that there had been an accident in Orile, Lagos, as early as 5 am, and that a petrol tanker had again caused much havoc, with about twelve people dead, including the mother of Obafemi Martins. As usual official rescue response was slow and inadequate."

"These petrol tankers. Was it not about two months ago that a similar incident occurred in the Jibowu area of Lagos? In that incident, houses were razed, vehicles too, an entire street was laid desolate. Barely three weeks later, there was another explosion in Ijegun, with equally terrible consequences. And now this...."

"You are talking about reported incidents. You can be sure there were others which went unreported and that so many lives were lost as well. These are symptoms of a failed state. I tell you, we are in serious trouble in this country... Serious, very serious trouble"

"How can anyone now expect a man like Obafemi Martins to love Nigeria again? This is a man who is one of the shining lights of Nigeria, a gifted footballer, Oba-goal. Nigeria destroys good persons and robs people of faith. Ir requires us to make supernatural sacrifices. Look, when I was living abroad, I was forever mortified. Each time I heard any bad news about home, I always thought of my folks. I know many Nigerian living abroad who had to relocate their entire families away from Nigeria to protect them from the risk of cheap and sudden death. No water. No security. No roads"

"Obafemi Martins' mother was actually staying with him abroad. She was home on a visit."

"Death lies in wait everywhere in Nigeria. From the airport to the streets to our homes, it is a miracle how we manage to survive in the midst of so much chaos. The more painful part is that the state is forever unable to help. All the people who lost their houses in the Jibowu incident, all the victims of the explosion in Ijegun, they have all been abandoned. You can be sure that even in this instance, after the intiial expression of concern, life will move on, the bereaved will bury their dead, and that will be the end of it. When another tragedy occurs, we would go through the same motions again."

"The Federal Government has suspended 16 tank farms in Lagos and the Lagos state government is determined to do something about the parking of trailers on the main roads in Apapa. Tank farms that do not have proper parking facilities have been shut down, approval for new ones has been suspended."

"But that has nothing to do with the tragedy in Orile. In any case, this problem is not about parking facilities. The whole of Apapa is one big explosion waiting to happen. I think all the tank farms should be relocated away from residential and business districts. If there is any accident in any of those tank farms any time in the future, it will be worse than a Tsunami. People in that area are surrounded by millions of litres of dangerous substances, they live with it, they take it in as oxygen."

"Sometimes I am tempted to agree that our problem is spiritual. Something is wrong."

"No. It is all man-made. You ask some questions for example: why are petrol tankers always running into the kerb or a pole? And why do they always have accidents in the early hours of the day? Is it that the drivers are too drunk to see the road? Or tired and fast asleep behind the wheels? Are they qualified drivers or some failed okada riders finding a new job as long distance, petrol tanker drivers? Who are the owners of these petrol tankers? Why is it that nobody ever talks about the owners of those tankers of death?"

"What does it matter? The damage has been done"

"No. How do we prevent future damage? How do we reassure people like Obafemi Martins? That is the question. "

"Who will answer it? And who will reassure Obafemi Martins and others who have lost their loved ones? Is it government, or the NNPC?"

"Don't talk about the NNPC. The NNPC is a veritable symbol of the failure of the Nigerian state."

"By the way, the House of Repr�sentatives has started probing the NNPC?"

"What became of past probes? I don't trust all these probes."

"But there is something to probe."

"Look at the power sector probe. It has now been suspended."

"Yes, because it is being alleged that the Committee members collected a bribe of N100 million in the course of their investigations."

"Are you doubting the allegation?"

"No. Except that there may never be an end to this cycle of probes and counter probes. Meanwhile, the nation sleeps"

"But certainly the NNPC should be probed again. I was angry during the week when the NNPC Group Managing Dircetor, Abubakar Yar'Adua turned round to claim that his testimony at the House of Representatives was quoted out of context, and that he never said the NNPC paid a bribe of N12 million to Niger Delta militants."

"He was not the one that denied it. It was the NNPC Managmengt that issued a signed statement."

"Where is the difference? And that was after MEND had threatened to blow up the Chanomi pipelines in retaliation for its being presented to the public as a gang of bribe takers."

"So, the NNPC acted out of cowardice then. It should have apologised to the militants instead of claiming that the GMD was quoted out of context."

"The NNPC GMD's testimony before the House of Reprsenetaives was recorded. Someone should get a copy of that tape and play it on radio and television. I don't like it when public officials try to play games with the public."

"The man must have been scared immediately MEND reacted sharply to his statement. These days when the relations of public officials are routinely abducted, the man must have thought of the implications of his statement."

"But we all know government is always paying bribes to militants, even if they won't admit it publicly. But I am pleased with the denial even if it is contrived, otherwise you could have money being stolen from NNPC accounts under the heading of bribe to militants."

"Do you think that the problem of the NNPC can ever be solved?"

"I doubt. It is like the crisis in the power sector".

"Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says we should leave that particular crisis to God."

"God? Obasanjo said God is responsible for all the atrocities in the power sector: the fake contracts that his government awarded, the waste of public funds, the gross mismanagement of public resources, the darkness they imposed on the country?"

"Don't worry. God is on the Throne. He can fight and judge for Himself. And in good time He will sit on the Throne of Judgement."

"It is difficult not to have hypertension in this kind of society."

"Can we talk about something else, please? You like to talk about calamities."

"You want us to talk about soemthing else?"

"Some good news for a change"

"Are you going for the Olympics in Beijing?"

"You callthat good news?"

" I understand Nigerians are rushing to buy tickets to go and watch the Olympic Games staring on August 8. The request for visa to China by Nigerians is so much that, according to one source, the Chinese embassy has stopped giving out visas."

"The Embassies know Nigerians. They know that half of the people who want to go for the Games will not return; they will stay back as illegal immigrants. The other half have no business going to China; they are probably government officials looking for an opportunity to collect allowances."

"But they are going there to support the Nigerian contingent to the Games."

"Oh come on, stop the joke. Do we have a team going to the Olympics?"

"Yes. The athletes have been selected, our football team, being coached by Samson Siasia is also currently training in South Korea. 17 of the boys are under 23. They should be given a chance"

"And who are the athletes, please? Look, we are not ready. Instead of going to Beijing to disgrace ourselves, let us appeal to the International Olympics Committee to allow us to stay at home this year. If we must attend the Olympics at all, let three Nigerian Embassy officials go to the opening ceremony, participate in the march parade, wave the Nigerian flag and smile at the crowd."

"You sef"

"And President Yar'�dua must stop government officials from going to Beijing to watch the Games with public funds. Every other country of the world is taking the Olympics as a great event, as an opportunity to showcase national capacity and pride, your Nigerian brothers are taking it as a jamboree and an opportunity to spend public funds"

"That is the way we are. But suppose we win medals at the Olympics?"

"Forget it. And if we do, it will be a miracle which can only be performed by Nigerian athletes who have been trained and prepared by other countries. It won't be because Nigeria has facilities for the development of sports or an understanding of the strategic value of sports in the modern world. Have you heard President Yar'�dua say anything about the Olympics?"

"Yes. He said something."

"I beg your pardon"

"He said the Nigerian team should bring home nine gold medals!"

"Just like that? Without any preparations? I beg, don't make me laugh. Other countries prepare to win. By now, China is fully ready for the world, all the facilities are in place, everything is in shape, even all the potential winners of medals in all the categories are known. Our 4 x 100 m female and our 4x 400 m men relay teams could not even qualify for Beijing because they did not take part in the preliminary trials; funds for tarining were not released on time, athletes were not invited on time. "

"Well, if you won't go to the Olympics, will you go and watch the Manchester United and Portsmouth match taking place in Abuja today?"

"For where? The cheapest ticket for that match is N25, 000. All of you are sick. I just don't understand this excitement over English clubsides. Do you know what the English papers are writing about Nigeria?"

"What?"

"They have been busy advising the Man U and Portsmouth players to beware of malaria attacks in Nigeria. They said Kolo Toure went to his home country, Ivory Coast recently, and he was bitten by mosquito, so all the players were told to beware of mosquitoes in Nigeria."

"If only they knew. They should have been more worried about human mosquitoes: the criminals who would have been glad to kidnap a Premier League player and demand ransom, or the armed robbers on Nigerian roads, or pretty Nigerian girls who would surely lay ambush for those rich footballers. I hear many pretty girls have relocated to Abuja. They too want to join the WAG crowd. If na you nko? The British Press should have advised the players about condoms."

"One of these days, you will get charged for your lack of patriotism."

"I am a witness of truth sir. I only report what I know."

"You know I should like to see some of our former leaders indicted for crimes against humanity, for mismanaging Nigeria's potentials, and for committing heinous crimes against the Nigerian people."

"Like Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir, who is now wanted by the International Criminal Court?"

"Yes."

"But who will they indict? Is it Obasanjo who claims to have a direct line to God, or IBB who is now an expert on democracy and the political party system, or General Buhari who now says Abacha was indeed corrupt, or all the others at the state level who are enjoying the fruits of their loot?"

"You want me to tell you the truth?"

"Yes"

"Okay, read my lips."

"I don't get what you are saying"

"Jerry Rawlings"

"Meaning what?"

"The problem with you is that you can be dumb sometimes. It is not everything that a man says in the open. Okay, are you aware that the Nigerian government is already interceding on behalf of the Sudanese President?"

"What a country!"

"You see now? But looks like the judiciary is beginning to bare its fangs with the removal of two Governors: in Cross River and Ondo."

"Ironically, some of these Governors are praying to be removed from office, knowing that when the case is resolved and they manage to emerge victorious, they would start their tenure afresh."

"You mean in some of these cases, the people could be inflicted with one Governor for six years by default, and the same man may still ask for a second term."

"Democracy, no more no less."

"But have you not noticed that Andy Uba, Liyel Imoke and Olusegun Agagu who were all connected with the pwoer sector have been removed from office as Governors?. That is food for thought."

"Leave me out of it. I am looking for food for my stomach."

Robot  Villager

# 1 Obafemi Martins's Mother And A Nation's Agony By Reuben Abati...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 27.07.2008 02:17

aringaranso  Villager

# 2 "Obafemi Martins' mother was actually staying with him abroad. She was home on a visit." It's a pity the woman had to die this way,death becomes more painful when it could have been avoided. Nigeria has become a theathre of death,with people dying in the worst of cirmcumstances. "Sometimes I am tempted to agree that our problem is spiritual. Something is wrong." May be it is,even OBJ believes so. "Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says we should leave that particular crisis to God." Only if he can return the billions spent on the darkness project,Ooops,Power project. "By the way, the House of Repr�sentatives has started probing the NNPC?" Another probe that will lead us to abysss,probes with no end. ""It is difficult not to have hypertension in this kind of society." Extremely difficult,that's why many have high BP. "Oh come on, stop the joke. Do we have a team going to the Olympics?" Absolutely not,unless you mean Nigerians on the other side,the likes of Idowu,Ohurogu,Okafor,Obikwelu and many others that fly different flags. However,I'm keeping my fingers crossed on Fasuba 100m Men and Siasia dream team. Have you heard President Yar'�dua say anything about the Olympics?" "Yes. He said something." "I beg your pardon" "He said the Nigerian team should bring home nine gold medals!" Talk about living in a dream world.Especially with this news, Our 4 x 100 m female and our 4x 400 m men relay teams could not even qualify for Beijing because they did not take part in the preliminary trials; funds for tarining were not released on time, athletes were not invited on time . " The relays have always being our strongest medal hopefuls "Well, if you won't go to the Olympics, will you go and watch the Manchester United and Portsmouth match taking place in Abuja today?" "For where? The cheapest ticket for that match is N25, 000. All of you are sick. I just don't understand this excitement over English clubsides. Do you know what the English papers are writing about Nigeria?" "What?" "They have been busy advising the Man U and Portsmouth players to beware of malaria attacks in Nigeria. They said Kolo Toure went to his home country, Ivory Coast recently, and he was bitten by mosquito, so all the players were told to beware of mosquitoes in Nigeria." " Read the bolded part in a daily over here,but they forgot this, If only they knew. They should have been more worried about human mosquitoes: the criminals who would have been glad to kidnap a Premier League player and demand ransom, or the armed robbers on Nigerian roads, or pretty Nigerian girls who would surely lay ambush for those rich footballers. I hear many pretty girls have relocated to Abuja. They too want to join the WAG crowd. If na you nko? The British Press should have advised the players about condoms ." The pretty babes should go after Ferdinard,Rooney and Muntari,LOL Thanks for writing Abati. Posted by aringaranso| 27.07.2008 05:11

bobokite  Villager

# 3 What a disastrous death! this tanker drivers sef? do they drink ogogoro as early as 5am? Posted by bobokite| 27.07.2008 16:16

10Kobo  Villager

# 4 Only God can save us.......Maybe God has got fed-up with us sef and has left us to roast in our own stew? HE is a bit busy and l dont see God wasting his precious time on self-destruct people after-all, he has Billions of other serious people to attend to. :confused1:mad: Like Reuben inferred, we die, we cry and we move on...only to die again! "My people perish, this time, not for lack of knowledge but for "man inhumanity to man"....simply put, FROM WICKEDNESS. 1OKobo Posted by 10Kobo| 27.07.2008 17:16

Igbosa  Villager

# 5 People die like that everyday from traffic exhaust that are not even known or reported. The environment kills you faster in Niger Delta and other areas with high motor concentrations. Take a look at the hankerchief you use to wipe your sweat. Posted by Igbosa| 27.07.2008 17:33

Erukubami  JJC

# 6 =Igbosa;4295076122>People die like that everyday from traffic exhaust that are not even known or reported. The environment kills you faster in Niger Delta and other areas with high motor concentrations. Take a look at the hankerchief you use to wipe your sweat. Its just so sad...i have a feeling the tanker driver didnt see properly at that time of the day, since street lights dont work in naija.In my opinion any form of development in Nigeria is hinged on adequate power generation. Unfortunately most of the power stations being built are gas pwered and the militants in the delta are blowing up all the pipelines. In essence until the Niger Delta issue is resolved we will keep merry-go-rounding. those probe masters in the senate and house of reps should begin to think of a way out of that crisis. Our future depends on the quick resolution of that impasse... Posted by Erukubami| 27.07.2008 19:07

i-go-better  Villager

# 7 "Yes, because it is being alleged that the Committee members collected a bribe of N100 million in the course of their investigations." It is sad that many Nigerians, especially the media housing the R. Abatis of this world, are not on top of the tallest tree shouting OUTRAGE to what is happening with the Power Probe Report! This N100 million bribe allegation is a mere red-herring to delay the release of the report until Lyel Imoke is returned as Governor with the guaranteed dubious immunity hedge around him. This is so obvious yet Nigerians prefer to SIDDON LOOK! This same scenario was scripted to be played in Anambra State for the benefit of "Dr" Andy Uba but the people cried out loud, God heard their cries and saved them. An Armed Robber who faces public execution at least affects only individuals. But Imoke's fatal failure with regard to power supply affects every aspect of life in this sorry Nation, Nigeria. Yet many Nigerians, the Media, so-called leaders and so-called stakeholders, more outrageously the so-called Representatives from Cross River State, seem programmed to ensure that this man is rewarded with the Governorship post in this same Country he economically sabotaged! So the death of O. Martin's mum and many other such cases should not be treated in isolation, they are part of our inevitable reward for collective Siddon Look. What a country! Posted by i-go-better| 28.07.2008 05:11

WaleAkin  Villager

# 8 May her soul rest in perfect peace! Posted by WaleAkin| 28.07.2008 07:24

Anioma777  Villager

# 9 What a way to die. May her soul rest in peace. Rueben you make a very chilling and sad statement but painfully so true and one almost becomes immune to it each time I have the misfortune of spending a few days in Lagos. "How can anyone now expect a man like Obafemi Martins to love Nigeria again? This is a man who is one of the shining lights of Nigeria, a gifted footballer, Oba-goal. Nigeria destroys good persons and robs people of faith." I may be naive and living in a fantasy world as most of my Naija friends say when I visit. But I believe it will get better one day. At least for the future generations. What amazes me is the "TOTAL LACK OF CONSIDERATION" for others and even more bizarrely personal safety.:cry: Posted by Anioma777| 28.07.2008 09:33

Son of the Delta  Villager

# 10 A very baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad article. Thousands have lost their lives under similar circumstances. It is immoral and unjust to make one life more important than other lives or such victims. Some families were completely wiped out, but to say because the victim today is the mother of a boy that never wanted to wear your national jersey things should be changed is nonsense why do you think a minister and Party chieftain could be killed under Obasanjo without the baiting of an eye because when Olusegun Obasanjo killed 2000 the 2000 were not important enough for strong journalistic statements. Mr. Abati and his fellow journalists need to move beyond this pechant of complaining over assassins or robberies and other social vices when the victims are "big" or affiliates. _________________________ _________________________ =Anioma777;4295076299>What a way to die. May her soul rest in peace. Rueben you make a very chilling and sad statement but painfully so true and one almost becomes immune to it each time I have the misfortune of spending a few days in Lagos. "How can anyone now expect a man like Obafemi Martins to love Nigeria again? This is a man who is one of the shining lights of Nigeria, a gifted footballer, Oba-goal. Nigeria destroys good persons and robs people of faith." I may be naive and living in a fantasy world as most of my Naija friends say when I visit. But I believe it will get better one day. At least for the future generations. What amazes me is the "TOTAL LACK OF CONSIDERATION" for others and even more bizarrely personal safety.:cry: @ Anioma 777 Point of correction the boy never 'loved' Nigeria. It was Agberos that 'invited ' him into the "national squad". Posted by Son of the Delta| 28.07.2008 18:14

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