These Four Nigerians Died In One Day For One Cause
It has been reported that at least four Nigerians lost their lives watching the African Nations Cup Semifinals showdown with South Africa on Wednesday, 7th February.
These people: a renowned Nigerian businessman based in Ivory Coast, Chief Osondu Nwoye; a state university staff, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi; a recent graduate and serving corps member, Mr Samuel; and former federal lawmaker, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, all slumped and died after Nigerians second goal was cancelled and a penalty kick awarded to South Africa instead late in the game on Wednesday.
Such a show of deep-lying passion and commitment to nationalistic glory came less than a day after the president questioned that patriotism is waning amongst the citizenry, never mind that the cost of living has more than tripled under the present administration.
Inevitably, the question of who is patriotic and who is not has taken up a fair allocation of logically fallacious arguments in the country in the last three days.
The citizens love the country, it is the politicians who do not.
The first question is: who are the politicians? Aren’t they citizens too? Are our politicians an imported lot?
The assertion is especially logically weak when you consider that a big chunk of our politicians are common, poor everyday citizens who once blamed the "politicians" too before they got into positions of power.
But if we somehow decide not to dwell on it much, we must then ask: what about our civil servants?
As servile and decadent as our politicians. In a country where no sector works, the only people who can poke accusing fingers at others are the private citizens, those who have never been in a position of political or ministerial capacity, and that’s their only legitimacy — never being in power.
A country’s democratically elected leadership is a reflection of the prevalent opinion of its citizenry.
- Leonard E. Read.
Patriots are in the minority.
Just two days ago, Russian President Vladamir Putin stated quite confidently in his interview with Tucker Carlson that, "America will fall soon", and as someone who isn’t fond of America and most of what it has come to represent, I really can’t wait.
The fact is, Putin’s assertion isn’t merely wishful thinking. There are pointers, one of which is quite obvious — the two likeliest candidates to go against each other in the forthcoming November franchise, Biden and Trump.
Two leaders whom the politically neutral American, the silent majority — as Nixon coined — neither prefers. It’s a classic case of choosing between two evils - it’s been a long time since America had to do that.
When a society has to choose between two evils, it’s never a good signal.
Signal. In Nigeria, it’s been the whole reality. Elections after elections, we go to polling units to pick the lesser of not only two but, sometimes, five evils.
That conveys a very serious message — it’s what the retailers are convinced will be bought that is displayed prominently in the market.
In a country where good isn’t brought to the market, the retailers, that is, the politicians, are convinced that such a manifesto won’t sell and decide to hawk tribalism and religious division instead.
That is saying something about the citizens. Well, in this case, a majority of the citizens.
Wrap up.
The Nigerian Super Eagles and the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire go head-to-head in what promises to be a scintillating final of the African Nations Cup today.
The healthy football rivalry between the nations is set to garnish an already spicy encounter where the host country, Cote d'Ivoire, no doubt fancies the history of winning gold on home soil.
The legitimacy of Nigeria's self-acclaimed stature as the giant of Africa has been questioned lately.
And if it can't be re-established in economic development, then athletic glory should suffice for today at least.
We are going all out to support our country tonight and in the face of humiliation, some of us with weak hearts and surging passion might collapse. But it doesn't necessarily mean we'll be great leaders if elected into political offices.
R.I.P to the patriots who died, I trust our boys will win it for you tonight.
