It has become very important to breach
my self-imposed sabbatical to lend voice once again on issue that I know I’m
guilty of in the Nigerian context, critiquing as I wont
to, with aura of honesty nonetheless. Just for the removal of any doubt, this
essay is strictly about me and my method of showing disapproval over certain
things that daily occur in Nigeria with occasional reference to
things or authors for reinforcement sake. Most times after a browse through
superbly written articles I nod my head in acknowledgement of the grammar
prowess at display which a good number of you have. That thought usually fades
with a self reminder that most people who attended Communication/Journalism
school are expected to write better. And when they don’t, we tend to wonder
what type of night school (lol) they struggled out of
in the same way we look up to Physicians to know their onions. Thus, it is not
by leap of fate that they are better.
You cannot read without admirable appreciation of the
skills of
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many writers whom I have privately sent
felicitous note of thanks for their command and honesty. The few sincere ones my
mails eluded definitely get my respect as well. What, however, determines the approach
is the state of mind of the author. For instance, one
who at one point or another was involved or benefited from the looting of Nigeria’s wealth or even supported or is
a murderer will not display the same hostile persona a victim would. In my case,
as someone who has never participated in any underhanded treachery of any kind,
I let out my frustration with Nigeria through my writing. My communication
knows no bounds, made possible by my fervor for truth. Many Yoruba and Northern
writers that I confidentially commended for their truthfulness and language
finesse would affirm. Does it not sound crazy to support a lying bum just because
we share the same ethnicity? See, I give no damn whence someone hails as long
as I dictate dishonesty I’m sure to be troubled. I bring openness and
un-negated frankness to the table with a little attitude, which rattles the
sanctimonious. All these make me one with a very good “nuisance value.”
To not acknowledge the strengths
of those who avoid the use of foul or harsh language in their piece will undeniably
be dishonest. Still, they should be made aware that badgering honest composers whose
language they consider objectionable suppresses the flow of vital information the
public nevertheless need. Yours truly do not get offended by candid admonitions
of decent well meaning writers; they are in most cases innocuous. On the other
hand, I come out swinging very hard simply to parry any covert attempt meant to
shield or support sheer nonsense just to be politically correct. There is
nothing wrong with articles that encourage decency, they are fine. My
disagreement is with those that totally disregard the contents of others solely
on language. You can’t mistake the “nuisance value” sincere writers bring to
the forum, which I believe jolts the lying crooks and their supporters back
into reality after their evil crafts are shown to the world. Going by this
paradigm then, “annoying” composers that are nonetheless honest should wear it
like an honor badge. As for me, if it pleases the court of public opinion, my
wish is to remain in this capacity until a genuine democratic atmosphere is
ushered yonder. Only then could a change of approach be considered to address bonafide honorable men exactly so.
At times, I crave for better writing
you betcha, but as the saying goes; hard to teach old
dog new tricks. Suffice here that we all insult, the only difference are words
usage. Example, if reference to someone as a liar is made by one writer while the
other prefers untrustworthy instead, what difference is there? Or better yet,
some people use “dumb” as a qualifier whilst others prefer “atom intellect,
intellectual midget” so forth; both to me carry negative meaning. What ya say, what’s the fuss? Apart from that, most writers
insult, annoy, instigate, you may even plug in your own word, but as I said earlier,
prevailing circumstance should determine whether it is deserved. Tafa Balogun as we know triple somersaulted
out of office on account of the peoples’ billions he stole, should a novelist be
reproached or scorned for calling him a THIEF? Unnecessary sarcasm is equally
insulting in case you guys forgot. With that, I honest to God wish that we
would skip semantics and address the nucleus of the aligning issues raised by
people who are disenchanted over the inordinate abuse of the system. You don’t
need a shout from me to remember how the abusers tickled themselves by quickly
suspending one of the few (maybe three) honest Members of House of
Representatives, Haruna Yerima
simply for telling the ever elusive TRUTH. I am of course aware
of the collateral damage here and there my writings and that of a few good men
and women out there inflict upon liars, but the greater and overall benefits are
what counts not the trifle, mannerism. Ingloriously
Make no mistake about it, we are never homogenous without question in life; so,
any canvass to emulate certain ways of writing will remain unattainable moreso, since style is subjective. Some people are fashion
disasters, they dress badly. Yet, others eat, cry and speak differently, not
alike. Should writing be exempt? Let there be no doubt what this writer is, an
honest social critic who advocates good sense and governance. Objective analyst
may be added given that no one, Igbo or not escapes my alert lens as I call it without
fear or favor. As a community activist that abhors liars, thieves, murderers
and what have ya, no apologies over my method of disseminating
views to those receptive to honest exchange devoid of decorative words that are
carefully crafted to obfuscate and sweep inattentive readers off their wobbly
feet. Check this out, as charming taller U.S. presidential
candidates (need confirmation just ask Ross Perot and Michael Dukakkis) utilize their height advantage over their shorter
counterparts so also do fancy writers deploy all tricks to sway the not so
vigilant. Asking oppressed people to maintain impartiality is simply adding to
their burden, it is untenable and this fella here
won’t. Remain neutral in the face of wicked bombardments from the Arab north
with help from others who consider Nigeria their private
possession at their capricious disposal? In fact they disposed of her with
their years of abuse and neglect that went unchallenged.
In my heart of hearts, I find certain
requests burdensome and
kinda
asking too much from writers like me who were driven into writing in the first
order after many years of reading total junk from rapacious supporters of
military and political robbers in a country I once called home. Even my close
friends and relatives are surprised to find me in this writing arena I was
forced into merely to spread the truth gospel. Let it be said without waffling
that a distressed unadulterated “onye Igbo” is bound
to be angry, a by-product of oppression therefore, it is unfair to expect
miracles from an aggrieved rather the blame must rest on the provocateurs’
doorsteps. Need I say that opinionated articles that are designed to mislead or
full of outright lies draw strong and somewhat violent reaction from me? No
regrets for that, for sure! It is so easy to because money is not a motivator
in things I do, not driven by it and I hope my essays portray this. In the
course of writing, writers once in awhile let the readers have a glimpse of certain
aspects of their private moments. So, with that, here we go. During both my
Traditional and Western wedding/marriage ceremonies, this individual never
extended any invite to the so-called rich Yuppies, no! Why? I’m not about money!
Another example was my disinterest in taking advantage of few Generals I came
in contact during the three hard years I spent in a country that refused to
grow. Never capitalized! I am rather propelled and guarded by well established
and respectable principles that has nothing to do with personal advantage, anything
less is not me. Don’t get me wrong, I welcome financial comfort but not by
every roguish means. My profile (family name) still means a lot to me.
Swearing aside,
one’s write-ups should be judged on its merits with a certain degree of waver
granted the author based on honesty as evident in his/her piece. Makes sense! The
crop of writers that somewhat penetrate my thick hide are those that load their
fabrications with impressive prose to peddle and back mediocrity. They are the
ones we should watch out for! The ability of an essayist to write truthfully should be sacred, it shouldn’t be compromised or
auctioned off; it ought to be guarded jealously, which to me appears to be the
identifiable bane of my writings. Should the question
“how do you rate your language rules” be asked, I did as usual be forthright
and badly rate myself with one exception though, honesty. For all that can be
said about style, no one could rope me in dishonest writings, having said that,
the stipulation by Monsieur
La Dričre to be honest
critic is
accomplished. Moving right along, to be a critic as seen in the senior writer’s
essay, “Oga make we
manage am so,” here’s La Dričre. “The critic should be honest.” I am! If anyone disagrees, contradict me. “He can never be
perfectly intelligent.” I
am not! “Or
perfectly informed.” Not
close! “Or perfectly
disinterested.” Bingo! “Or perfectly
humble...” I am hardly “perfect” in any
of these attributes therefore, all the requirements met, so, ladies and
gentlemen, I present to you a TRUE and balanced critic, me, with little
nuisance/annoying assessment that affect only those who abhor truth. At the fore of all my scripts you did find in
quantum honesty, which is miserably lacking in all spheres of governance in Nigeria going back many, many years and
made worst under Obasanjo. Sad but again true! Open
minded readers would absolutely consent to this.
Let me henceforward lend
comfort to those who are still wondering if a fine piece “Nuisance Value
of the Nigerian Internet pundit” few weeks ago by a great columnist
on Kwenu.com affected them, with a resounding yes. As it concerned yours truly
too! Ouch!! Every writer is a critic with some element of annoyance that
depends on where one falls, negative or positive. Let me clarify, for liars,
theirs connote the former based on the absence of truth. For those that are tempted
to argue against any positive value of nuisance, allow me to explain. Writers
who tell the truth bring with them “positive nuisance,” they hurt the
criminally minded who see their essays as irritation. But sincere folks, receive
it as good/positive omen hence my point. It is in order to further clarify that
where two opposing variables (good/bad nuisance) exist, a separation should be
made between the harmless and nefarious ones who probably get paid to sell
their souls. As such, it was very humbling to have read Maazi
Uche Nworah’s “A dose of my own
medicine” in acceptance of his seeming role, which to me
exudes the positive side of nuisance since the information in his like mine are
for the good of BiafraNigerians. His posts that I have read thus far are
factual, sincere and direct.
One need not be Shakespearian or schooled in journalism to
recognize the damage articles that lack straightforwardness have. All it takes to
expose is a quick glance. Take for instance, “An Open Letter
to Baroness Lynda Chalker” – Maazi Nworah and “Those Comments On Nigeria
By Baroness Chalker” – Mr. Adujie both of which appeared on Gamji, to
clearly see the one that woefully failed to meet the basic test as proscribed by
Monsieur La Dričre according to that sublime editorial
by Mr. Eso. In consonance with the advice given in
that editorial, which to me boils down to maintenance of some level of decorum
in our writings, it is equally important to evaluate and reconcile one’s
grammar hiccup with its veracious contents. For all that could be said and
indeed said about my mode, none will accuse this writer of lying since that’s
the thrust of my message. There is no beneficial purpose in a sweet and advanced
writing that is over infested with damaging lies that support evildoers. For
this, I thank the master architect of the universe, the ever seeing eye who
gave me the wisdom to know right from wrong with lots of help from my father. To
overlook a country such as Nigeria with callous corruption that went
into overdrive is to deny the simple truth. People that mean well should not be
handicapped to describe her as such, fraudulent. Any other views to the
contrary blends against the basic requirement of La Dričre
as seen in that post by a very good gentleman whose coded caution we should all
value. I have to, I am a learner.
This brings us to Mohammed Haruna another writer with language command whom I also read
at times on Gamji, but in his “Igbos, Biafra and the Presidency,” he wrote; “This may
sound rather harsh, but if the Igbo have failed so far to clinch the presidency
and look set to fail again and again, it is mainly because they do not seem to
be sorry for trying to break up this country.” This comment
is sharply at variance with the most fundamental need of the critic. Please
forgive me for repeating his quote which already appeared in my, “Tribalist vs Nationalist: A case
of two misplaced nouns in Nigeria.” Now, shouldn’t he go back to Monsieur La Dričre’s
school of honest critiquing? Oh my God! We[Igbo]
tried to break up Nigeria? Did he not know our engagement was
simply to repel the pre-contrived extermination of Ndiigbo
by his Arab Jihadists with help from their western
colluders? His offensive lies should then be seen as a wicked design to paint us
with the villain brush for maximum pain effect. Good news is he failed
shamelessly. By the way, the only thing liars have going for them are their
propensities to mislead anything else is pure facade. Mohammed’s dangerous
worldview towards my people notwithstanding, it hasn’t risen to the level where
I can say I hate him. No! Some stuff he writes is cool with me though I see him
as one of the boys. Know what I mean? Flattering jobber that is!
Only those that what is being done in Nigeria or said here do not directly
affect can expediently afford the executive luxury of remaining impartial. To help
their public image I guess. To think that one could stay outside the loop when
his very essence of living is under serious assault, under constant threat of
extinction by those who harbor the type of gutter belief as the above subject for
no sound reason is reprehensible. Oftentimes, we hear of light at the end of
the tunnel, but this is not to be for the Igbo in that HOPELESS nation of the
liars where the light gets dimmer the nearer the Igbo get towards the end of
the subway. Thanks to the crazy prodigal Arabian governments of Nigeria. Coming up is information that
should be of high interest to every democratic thinker since only sick minds
could dream up such nonsense. Do you know that years before the Igbo elders
declared a Sovereign and Free State of Biafra, the
Arab north had this devilish plan for Ndiigbo?
Shouldn’t Nigeria then apologize to Ndiigbo or let them go?
The Arab
North’s Agenda prior to the declaration of Biafra:
1. (a) To kill off the
Major-General and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces,
J. T. U. Aguiyi-Ironsi
(b) To kill
off all the Yamiri Army Officers;
(c) And subsequently purge the Army
of Yamiri by killing the rest in the ranks.
2. To take
complete control of the Armed Forces, the Police and the Navy and to purge off
the Yamiri in these Forces too with the aid of the Westerners
in the Army.
3. To kill off and
dispossess all the Yamiri domiciled in the Northern
Region.
4. To use the
control of the Armed Forces to take control of the country's Government.
5. To revenge Sardauna's and Abubakar's death
by killing Dr. Zik, Dr. Okpara,
Ojukwu
and Major Nzeogwu.
6. To destroy Port Harcourt, Enugu and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
7. (a) To kill all
Yamiri in top civil service posts;
(b) All wealthy Yamiri
- male and female;
(c) All Yamiri
educational giants;
(d) All grown up males and females
of Yamiri;
(e) To leave out only sucklings in Yamiri land.
People I hope can now begin to
understand the source of
my resentment,
which needs no tricks for those with integrity to see. Given what my people had
and continue to go through in that “Iti bọrịbọ” – foolish
country, count me as a pious proponent against your “One Nigeria.” Love to see
her scatter! Care I don’t! Most of these lying posters come across to me like
people that could tell someone to go to hell and he looks forward to that trip.
You don’t expect us to be kind towards those responsible for our hardships. As
many flaws as I have, insincerity is out. For that I am satisfied. It is the
one thing no one can dump on me. Trust me! Upright people have always been over
pampered in my essays, a privilege not fit for crooks and their minions. Before
I exit, let me say this piece is my way of accepting my own annoying
contributions in my pursuit to let the world see the plight of Nigerians
generally and Igbos mostly. Whether or not I made my case is now in the hands
of the readers to decide accordingly. But in the absence of any clear choice, I
will remain resolute in selecting appropriate language to address erring embezzling
liars, thieves, murderers, ad infinitum.
It is said to whom
much is given, a lot is equally expected. Consequently, we look upon talented
writers to use their gifts to advance only the TRUTH, period. It can’t be emphasized
enough. What gives to address a crooked murderous embezzling scallywag as
anything short of what he is? Smiling as I sign off.