This is ASK THE BOSS. It is an onIine and on air Q & A special. It is a Michael BUSH thing. I bring you greetings from Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State in the deep south of Nigeria which itself is on the west coast of the continent of Africa.
Today, I wish to dwell on just one entry. Our pick is sent in by MR JAMES CHRISTOPHER. He resides at FGC Staff Quarters, Kwali-Abuja. Now, let’s hear it for him:
3.0 ‘Now, THE BOSS, I have a friend. He always tells me that I cannot make it here in Nigeria. He cites such factors as unemployment, rejection, insecurity, industrial actions, corruption and emotional stress confronting us as a nation on daily and intermittent bases. I always retort that Nigeria is the land flowing with milk and honey; only troubled by corruption.
4.0 ‘That friend finally had the opportunity to travel to one of the Asian countries. He has been there for six years now. I think he is doing well, or at least better than I am here at home. Please Sir, should I follow the same footsteps?
5.0 The thing is that age is no longer on my side. Or, should I continue to pray and fast? Finally, when would I become what God told me I will be in this life? I thank you again’.
6.0 MY TAKE: My dear Mr. Christopher, many thanks for all the wonderful sentiments you have expressed about our little efforts. And for those glorious prayers. You may not know it, but truth to tell, people like you who appreciate our small input coax us to aim to do more. We shall do more, by His grace.
7.0 To your friend, next. Corruptionist Nigerians and some of us out of helplessness say all sorts of things against Nigeria. However, you know what? Nigeria is more than such Nigerians.
8.0 Our country is better than our people. Our country, left on its own, is beautiful, clean, conducive, unique and wealthy. Tell these Nigerians to stop insulting Nigeria, because as a matter of fact, it is they who defile this great nation. To say it the way it is: it is Nigeria that should insult Nigerians for our corruptibility.
9.0 I don’t need any special gift to say what heaven Nigeria would be had it been blessed with a better population. No country in the West, let alone in Africa or all of the Third World, would have seen its brake lights within the context of development, modernity, sanity and such other contemporary indices. But, no, the beautiful bride ended up with ugly, inhuman grooms. Useless grooms who cannot resist the animalistic urge of raping it, day and night.
10.0 From the foregoing, Mr. James Christopher, I know you know that I disagree, completely and totally, with your Asia-based friend. His puerile pessimism (that you cannot make it here in Nigeria) is in bad taste; because as the Aliko Dangotes, the Mike Adenugas, the Jim Ovias, the Tony Elumelus, the Ubong Obots, the Ubong Inims (name them) have proved, clean and clear, Nigeria has all it takes to produce (home-grown) billionaires. So, what negative hasty generalisations is your friend spreading against Nigeria? Or does he need to be reminded that from that part of the world where he has run to, many people have relocated here just so their ends can meet?
11.0 Bottom line: Stay here; but work hard and smarter. Since it’s a cultural thing: also pray more and trust God to favour you with increase. I pray that you become the next multi-millionaire in Nigeria so that you can rescue and bring back our girls; sorry, and bring back your friend to rehabilitate him. Nigeria is the best!
Conclusion: Wow! Awesome! Even if I say so myself. I love that response.
Nigeria is the only country we have. Therefore, no one, not even a Nigerian, should mess with it; without attracting our wrath. Enough of Nigerians bad-mouthing Nigeria. In the Name of God, Allah, Abasi, Olorun/Oluwa, Chineke; in the name of all the things you believe in, enough of our own people poking fun at our own country.
This country deserves a better deal from our people, from our leaders, from you, from me. The campaign to rescue Nigeria from Nigerians has begun. Nigeria is a big country. Let us protect it.
God bless Nigeria!
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