Politics That We Like

I shared the text of Fashola's independence speech where he criticised those who were taking the glory of Nigeria's containment of the Ebola Virus Disease for themselves. He proceeded to mention the names of those who really "saw Ebola". Then, from out of left side, he's being accused of being political. Oh, is that now a sin?

I will not rule out any political undertone from any speech delivered by any politician. That's who they are: POLITICIANs. It's what they do: POLITICS. However, the people are rational enough to look at the content of what they say. What does it purpose to serve? This here statement, for example, serves to give honour to whom it is due. It brings to the fore those who made heroic sacrifices, people who, if a person of Fashola status didn't mention, would have largely remained anonymous. People that, in other climes, will be publicly celebrated so that other Nigerians will be encouraged to want to selflessly serve the fatherland.

We have no sense of patriotism because not only have we grown to understand that there's no glory in being selfless and that no one should care for anyone but himself, we also have not seen the public adulation and  recognition of those who have placed country first, even at the cost of their lives, whether they be uniformed women and men or bloody civilians.

That was why I thought it wise to post the full text with names and their acts of service in the dangerous battle to make sure those of us far removed from the danger, those of us ignorantly criticising medical workers for going on strike so that government can improve the health climate and working environment for all our good, can survive and be proud enough to "gloat" that Nigeria survived the EVD.

Let this kind of politics continue, if it yields similar results.

To Gloat or Naah?

For someone considered ultimately anti-government and unpatriotic, it was somewhat refreshing to be embraced yesterday by "governmenters" and vilified for gloating by travellers on the other path. Anyone who took seriously to heart my "patriotic" gloating over Nigeria's need to give Americans a taste of their own pills by extremely screening them before they are allowed into the country, needs a refresher course on "The Person of Jude Obafemi".

Let it be clear: I kid (or better still, "was kidding").

How Nigeria wan do am na? Let us imagine for a second that there even was the will on the part of the government to even try it. I know, I know, it's farfetched, but let's allow that conjecture, the structure of international politics no go gree. Real politick, which is politics in terms of national interests, without fancy idealism or ethics - lies in favour of the US. The implication is that it wouldn't be in our national interests to want to be seen ostracising Uncle Sam. Yimu all you like, Nigeria is in no position to call the shots where America is concerned. As the PhD presido had earlier remarked, "America will know."

Thus, singling out Americans for screening because of the rarity in Texas is as foolhardy as going to look for our crashed satellite in Space using a keke Napep refurbished for space travel by the Directorate of National Planning. Safe journey.

Yea. That was to bring those who sent me messages congratulating me for gloating back down to earth. Now, to attend to those about to gloat that America is sending a team to study Nigeria's containment of the Ebola virus, leggo!

It is highly commendable that Nigeria, with the assistance of the international community and the uncharacteristic efficiency shown by the Ministry of Health and Lagos State government plus the personal heroic sacrifices of a few, contained the virus. The briefings that more than helped to calm public panic from the Minister of Health was a breath of fresh air unlike any we've experienced from government. To call it unprecedented would be stating the bloody obvious. It rekindled the hope of a better tomorrow, if things are done as should be. America took notice. That's how interesting it was. That's where the interesting bit stops.

Let's take a breather and see why. Pause to consider the response of two different mindsets here. The country that pulled it off doesn't stop for a while to ponder how it did it so that it can document it for posterity. It rather sees it as an opportunity to raise it's shoulders like the cock preparatory to mount the hen; an opportunity to walk around the block telling anyone with a listening ear that they beat the bully of the neighborhood black and blue and must nowtofore be greeted as Lord of the Mayor and Master.

On the other hand however is America, always intent to improve, to learn, to be better at it's best and to leave no chance unexplored in it's quest for excellence. It has witnessed a country contain the virus and wants to add the knowledge of how it happened to it's already acquired body of work in that area, so it doesn't just do as well as Nigeria but better. Hence, it chooses to learn and improve upon that which it will discover, if any.

No point saying who'd be better off tomorrow. It's black and white. And you can keep your gloating at home.

So, congratulations Nigeria. Welcome America.

(Note that all conspiratorial inferences about the EVD were kept off this piece on purpose?)

SCOAN - Synagogue Church Of All Nations: Matters Arising

1. The unapproved building reconstruction collapsed.
2. Until the governor paid a visit (about three days after) NEMA staff were prevented by Church personnel from rescuing anyone.
3. It is only imaginable how many more could've been rescued, if help got to them faster.
4. The preposterous reason advanced for the collapse by the Spiritual Leader was that the UFO that circled the building several times and brought the building down was actually after his life.
5. He went further to evince the nitwitted claim that the dead were martyrs.
6. The figure of the dead has been conflicting, with the frequency at which the more responsible South Africa has released it's own figures.
7. It's the highest number of South Africans who have died outside the Rainbow Nation ever.
8. There's an audio recording of The Josh himself offering money to reporters in a bid to colour their reportage of the incidence. So far, there's deniability but no one has denied.
9. Investigations of the structure and materials used have begun by the Lagos State govt. Remains to be seen if the will is there to prosecute accordingly given the extremely touchy nature of religion.

However,
10. The Commander-in-Chief thought the most expedient function to perform in his visit to Lagos was to condole with Josh himself. To sympathise with someone who elsewhere would be cooling his heels in some detention facility across the State must come from the same confidence that gives no damn about the pulse of the people.

Why should they care about us? Have we caused them any discomfort or threatened their buttery-hold on power? In no way. So, while the "churchgoers" bleed to defend their Christian leaders and Christian Head of State both, those they defend will continue to wine even when said wine comes mixed with the blood of their defenders.

That should be number 11, tho' if you were keeping count.

But, "Kermit".