This must surely go down as one of the quietest and most boring summers in recent history. So little going on - to the extent that there aren't even heavy rain-falls and floods to complain about.
Even the rain is knackered!
As that Indian chap in the 80s comedy show, 'Mind Your Language' would say, ''Goodness Gracious Me!!!".
Due to being a little weary of political and socio economic matters the thought of cancelling today's article was so so tempting. I was even well prepared to overcome any semblance of guilt by telling myself that I am after-all on holiday for two weeks after today. But alas, guilt won the day.
So there I was once more trawling through newspapers in desperate need of something vaguely interesting to write about, when I came across an article in The Punch regarding the anti Nigeria rantings of the gay activist Bisi Alimi. The article prompted me to find his exact words on the internet.
It's amazing how much one can have one's head in the sand during the week. Mr. Alimi's vitriol seems to have caused quite a stir, and yet I knew zilch about it until a few minutes ago.
Anyway, let's address the matter at hand. And if you haven't read what he had to say then go and do so. I may have accommodated you with a brief summary a few months ago but not today.
Two thoughts came to me as I read his mini rant.
1. This is a very angry man. Is it possible that he's angry with Nigeria because of our President's 'No' response to Barack Obama's gay marriage question?
And
2. He does have a point with regards to our penchant for prayer and no action.
Should gays be allowed to marry?
As far as I'm concerned so long as no harm is done to others, every human being should be able to live his or her life as he or she sees fit. So if homosexuals desire to marry one another then by all means allow them. The fact that someone is gay doesn't mean that he or she is any less human, or that God loves them any less than you or I. That's my view anyway. I may be wrong, blind, or plain stupid, but my view is my view. It is not my intention to aggravate or offend anyone. Neither do I want to stir up an argument. It's simply my view.
In truth Mr. Alimi isn't too off point regarding our pray pray pray and no action tendencies.
In my view the root of the problem is that as against promoting love, unity, and care for one another, most churches, by the very nature of their focus on prosperity are unfortunately promoting an individualistic and self-focussed society; one in which one is so focussed on what one must do in order to attain God's blessing that one has very little time to concern one's self with the plights of others, let alone unite with others for any kind of greater cause.
Add to this the unfortunate fact that very little works in this country and hence most people are forced to focus only on their own / family's survival, and one can almost empathise with the reason any sort of united stand has proved many steps too far.
But in order for Nigeria to change, We must change; and that means taking responsibility and holding those in public service accountable for their actions; no longer remaining quiet and allowing things to be continuously swept under the carpet.
To be fair I think many of us are starting to recognise that the future of this nation is actually in our hands. This new all-be-it slow and extremely gradual awakening was aptly demonstrated in this year's presidential elections.
What I vehemently disagree with though is that Nigeria is cursed.
On the contrary, God has blessed Nigeria with everything one could possibly wish for - oil, gas, minerals, agriculture, intelligence, and so much more. But we have let ourselves down by idly standing by as line after line of self serving individuals forced their way into positions of leadership / governance. As a result of our gross negligence we have all too often been served with the government we deserved. But despite all this, God continues to give us chance after chance after chance.
If Nigeria was cursed it wouldn't be still standing.
God will never give up on Nigeria.
But in order for this nation to approach anything like its' true and God-given potential our gradual awakening must not only continue but feverishly increase in speed.
