RE: USA Africa Dialogue Series - NIGERIA IS A CEMETERY

Brother Okey:

 

Just as our philosophical Brother Folu underscored briefly but aptly in his usual few axiomatic words, you did say it all and also well for many of us about many rich Nigerians spending their riches overseas (or outside Nigeria) but returning home (to Nigeria) to die and to be buried at home (often with funerals that my dear Baba Ijebu would describe as with "theater and pomposity"), thus making your axiomatic question saying it all:   Is Nigeria a cemetery?

 

However, several brothers and sisters from Ghana (who read your words below) are asking for the hidden meaning or what you meant with the caveat "even" in your reference to Ghana, indeed in your otherwise beautiful poetic words? The line of concern is quoted here: "When they want to host weddings for their children, they go to Dubai, Malaysia, South Africa, and even Ghana."

 

Why does "even" worry these Ghanaians? Well, a few years ago, back in Ghana, a Journalist colleague told me how a Japanese Ambassador to Ghana felt seriously offended by then President Jerry John Rawlings' use of "even" in referring to his country (Japan), when mentioning several countries that used to be less significant, but today Ghanaians were looking up to them technologically and, by implication, saying "even Japan"! The Ambassador reportedly registered a strong protest! 

 

There you have it, as VC Aluko would beautifully say!

A.B. Assensoh.  

 

 

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From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] on behalf of Folu Ogundimu [ogundimu3@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2015 8:08 AM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - NIGERIA IS A CEMETERY

Okey:

Very thoughtful, you said it all. It is a sad commentary on what counts for elitism and leadership in Nigeria. Keep us thinking. 

F. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 6, 2015, at 5:30 PM, Okey Iheduru <okeyiheduru@gmail.com> wrote:

When they want to stash away their loot, they go to London, Monaco, Cayman Islands, and Lichtenstein.

When they want to "rest at home", they go to London or Houston.

When they want education for their children, they go to Europe, America, an Canada.

When they want to host weddings for their children, they go to Dubai, Malaysia, South Africa, and even Ghana.

When they are sick or want medical check-up, they go to India and Europe.

When they want to see the real God in His Majesty, they go to Mecca, Rome, or Jerusalem.

But, when they're about to die or want to be buried, they go back to Nigeria.

Is Nigeria a cemetery?

--

Okey Iheduru, 

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