People have served Nigeria and are still serving Nigeria, both merituously and haphazardly. However, it has been discovered that Nigeria is not a rewarder of those that faithfully serve her. This is very obvious in the story of the controversial Nuhu Ribadu, the former czar of EFCC, a former Assistant Inspector General of Police. Everyone that really knows about the political temper in Nigeria will know that Ribadu has been the subject of many debates in the past. His recent notorious ‘firing’ from the Nigerian Police Force heightened the long-lasting debates about issues that surround his person.
One may want to know if indeed Nuhu Ribadu deserved to have been dismissed from the police. He was called back into the police last week, but was immediately put on compulsory retirement. Ribadu may not have been the best person to have chaired the EFCC but the truth remains that he was able to track down some corrupt government officials. Some may actually say that he was a puppet in the hands of Obasanjo, his puppeteer, but the truth remains that whether he was a puppet or not, by hook or by crook, ‘corrupt’ people were caught in the web of his anti-corruption strides.
Insult upon injury, some may say. After experiencing more than enough humiliation in the hands of his former masters, he was yet subjected to another humiliation. All these are a part of the grand movie series called Nigeria. Obasanjo and co are the unseen director. At the moment, there are many producers, who may now be described as the replacement for the popular cabal of Madam Turai. At the moment also, the central character (the tragic hero) in this tragic series is Nuhu Ribadu. Williams Shakespeare said: “Like flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods. They use us for their toy.” Nuhu Ribadu is the fly in the hand of the gods. He is the toy in the hands of the powers that be. These powerless powers are after Nuhu because he, as the puppet, at a time, realized that even the puppet deserved to live a life that is independent of the puppeteer.
Now, it is important to make mention of the fact that some may say that all Ribadu has done for Nigeria is treachery, and nothing but treachery. Thus, they may be quick to say that he deserves whatever punishment is meted out to him by whoever. They may also say this is nemesis playing itself out. Nuhu Ribadu is just another Oedipus, who lost sight of the fact that no human being can ever be greater than the gods. In this case, however, the gods are the human beings for whom he had worked, who feel betrayed by the fact that he is like the river that forgot its source. Like that river, Ribadu will dry up. They would most likely say that this is the beginning of all his woes.
Looking beyond the throes of Ribadu, haven’t you noticed that Nigeria is the greatest ingrate ever? Nigeria is a killer of talent. She is a cannibal that kills her own children. Nigeria is wicked. Nigeria is ……….. Mind you, Nigeria, in this instance, refers to you and me.
We are wicked.
We never love our neighbours as ourselves as we ought to.
We kill our own talents.
We murder our own potentials.
We … We … We … We … Nigerians … We …
More often than not, we zero down this ‘we’ to those at the top, forgetting that all are guilty. Even YOU.
But those who blame the leaders are not wrong because it is said that those at the top are the ones that those at the bottom always look up to. Nigerians are one of the most gifted people in the universe. But why do we appear to be the most backward people in the world? (THIS IS FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR ANOTHER DAY).
It is high time Nigerian leaders sacrificed self on the altar of nationhood.
It is high time the followership stopped their ‘siddon look’ approach.
It is time we put an end to this stupidity some call docility.
It is time Nigeria respected her own.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA (YOU).
Olofinlua Oyindamola
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