By Denrele Animashaun
The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that's the essence of inhumanity-George Bernard Shaw
I wrote about the emergence of Polio in my column on the 10th of February, 2013 in, LET'S ERADICATE POLIO. Six months on and it seems that Nigeria is nowhere forward in eradicating polio despite the ministry of health head’s boasting that Nigeria will be free of Polio by the end of the year.
For those who are not familiar with Polio, Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease caused by a virus that spreads from person to person invading the brain and spinal cord and causing paralysis. Polio (poliomyelitis) mainly affects children under five years of age.
Polio can spread from these endemic countries to infect children in other countries with less-than-adequate vaccination and one in 200 infected leads to irreversible paralysis. So, amongst those paralyzed, 5% to 10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.
Unfortunately, there is no cure; the most effective means to eradicate polio is to immunize every child to stop transmission and ultimately make the world polio free.
The last three countries where polio is thriving are Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. Last year, India declared polio-free in February 2012 is perhaps, the best example of how a fully funded programme driven by committed leaders and dedicated workers to achieve success. If a country of billion plus can succeed then, Nigeria should be able to galvanize people power to the final push to see the end of polio. Our great challenge it seems a mistrust of the vaccines, insecurity, weak health systems and poor sanitation.
We also have perpetuate the systems that those that are disabled cannot partake in everyday life other than beg or do some vocational work and those that have broken the mould like the successful Nigerian paralympiads who came back with clutch full of medals. Even then, we can no longer consign polio victims to a life of penury and hopelessness. Most importantly, we have to prevent this life limiting disease affecting the next generation and beyond.
So last week in the UK, I watched a documentary by Ade Adepitan - paralympics medalist in basketball, tennis player, actor, TV show host, himself ,a polio survivor went to Nigeria to cover the campaign to eradicate Polio in Nigeria. His documentary, JOURNEY OF MY LIFETIME, was poignant and heart wrenching that in this day and age, Nigeria remains behind poorer African countries who have successfully eradicated polio. Despite an initiative by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, there are pockets of resistance and new cases emerging.
I watched and listened to some of the Polio survivors interviewed by Adepitan with disbelief that they believe polio vaccine is 'bad injection' or 'white medicine' that there is a conspiracy by the west to sterilize Muslim children. None of these myths are true of course, and more disturbing as we now heard that several medical workers have risked their lives in an attempt to complete one of the most ambitious health campaigns in history and recently, some of the workers were brutally murdered while carrying out this vital work in the North of Nigeria. As a result all vaccinations have been currently suspended.
So, as long as a single child remains infected, then others are at risk in the region to spread new cases every year. So can we expect our ministry of health to make the extra effort to expedite the process and help eradicate polio? What we need right now is a drastic change of mindset and education. Our children deserve better, our society and our country definitely can do without polio blighting the lives of the next generation.
The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu once described the resurgence of the deadly polio virus as an embarrassment to Nigeria and vowed that the government will intensify efforts to change the situation. No more talking let us act to make this happen.
Nigerians Do Not Know What They Have
"One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others." -- Nelson Mandela
Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington and made a landmark speech calling for an end to racism in America.
His "I HAVE A DREAM" speech is regarded as one of the most important moments in 20th century history. One man's conviction and courage to look fear in the face touched millions and it continues to resonate till this day.
Fifty years on what has happen to the dream? The jury is still out. Some believe the dream is exactly what it is, a dream. With the likes of Trayvon, Roney King to name a few, many more blacks are in the penal system than any other race; discrimination and prejudice is rife despite having a black president. This is not to say that many have not made their way to the top of the ladder, they have but it was a struggle.
Fifty years ago that, would have been a pipe dream not reality.
I believe Rev. Martin Luther King's dream was right for that moment when black people were living through segregation, penury and prejudice with no future.
Marcus Garvey put it so succinctly "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind." So right Marcus Garvey, the change has to come from within not outside of self.
It is easy to lay the finger of blame on others for the state that we are in, but actually, as individuals, we need to have discipline and dignity; we have to rise above the obstacles. We can no longer play victims. In the UK, like in other places, race is treated with caution, trepidation and not discussed in depth. This is probably because people do not want being reminded of the past, they feel that they will be blamed in part or they feel defensive. The problem is we continue to ply on thin layers of quick fix but not strong enough solution to lance the boil for good. Nothing is ever easy even the Martin Luther Kings' dream. It can only happen when we put our collective shoulders to the plough only then, can we begin to gleam our desired reality.
I am sure that we all can see the correlation between the race struggle in the US and other countries to our tribal/religious tension and our colonial past. We are fortunate to have a place to call home, while others were taken from our shores and displaced all over the world.
Nigerians do not know what they have and I fear we don't lose it before we realize its worth. I often shudder when I hear Nigerians calling for separation, really, that is an easy way out because, the problem will remain until we address our issues. I know that some have often argued that Nigeria was better under the colonials and often wish they return.
I beg to differ. Fifty-three years on, it is about time we man up and sort out our land and our people. Nigeria is not made for one type of people; it is for all of us, all Nigerians. We all have to find ways to claw back our dignity, respect for one another, commitment and pride in our identity only and only then can we begin to deserve the land we call home.
Showing posts with label Outside looking in. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Outside looking in. Show all posts
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Saturday, 6 July 2013
Imagine Nigeria
By Denrele Animasaun
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -- Eleanor Roosevelt
The Obamas made a trip to sub Saharan Africa with all the fanfare that one would expect from a consummate head of state, diplomat and an enigma.
Barak and his family made the best use of the opportunity that the position of the first family bestowed; visiting prestigious people, iconic places and making appearances and speeches to inspire the young and show the old guards how it is done with ease and charisma filled with the Obama aplomb.
President Barack Obama focused on Nelson Mandela's legacy and democratic progress in an address aimed at South Africa's youth.
Obama in his rousing speech said: "The reason I came to Africa is because Africa is rising, and it is in the United States' interests - not simply in Africa's interests - that the United States doesn't miss the opportunity to deepen and broaden the partnerships and potential here" and he asked South African youths "to seize a moment of great promise" whilst pointing to the legacy of Mandela and the ailing anti-apartheid leader's long-held vision of equality and opportunity. Obama was in no illusion that progress in Africa is fragile and he stressed that Africa needs to focus on expanding opportunity, promoting democracy and supporting peace.
He was in his usual astute and au-fait manner and got the attention of those that matter- the youths. For he knows with them, lies the future of Africa. He also told his attentive audience of the new US initiative to help improve access to electricity,that's a start.
By the look on the young people listening to every single word of the speech, it must have resonated with the young that someone that important said that they matter and that in their hands is the future.
So some Nigerians grumbled and felt slighted that the Obama Caravan missed Nigeria. I hear some said it was a snub that how could he snub the giant of Africa? Really? What has the giant done of late to warrant his status? Why do we always cling to our potential and not striving to ensure that we are indeed who we say we are ?. We need to rise above mediocrity and move towards excellence and 100% commitment.
Why should he? After all, the malingering state of our nation is there for all to see, except for those who remain deluded and out of touch with reality; the systematic corruption, forgotten generation, rise in unemployment, lack or nonexistence basic health and social care, human rights violations, broken down judicial and greedy legislators, and not to mention grand scale nation wide insecurity .
I do wonder at times about why we as Nigerians, like to show-off to the rest of the world about hosting leaders such as President Obama rather than for us, to focus on the main issues of solving our problems at home, protecting and looking after our citizens abroad, let us mend our extensive break-down of law and orders, the over inflated egos of our leaders and loss of humanity towards one another. So what makes us think that every head of state of note should kowtow and pay us a visit? Should we for one moment of appearance that he had not mentioned that Nigeria is failing its citizens, that corruption is rife and our leaders flout the rule of law?
Whatever the reason for Obama's omission, so if we call ourselves Giant of Africa when all we can muster is feeble purr? Whatever it is felt happened by his absence we should ask ourselves if it is really important in the full scheme of things, that Obama's one day hub-nobbing with our politicians, who would have argued and justified spending more money to grandstand the short stop over?.
Will the lives of ordinary Nigerians change? So in my opinion, it is not what people call you that counts, it is what you answer to! I really don't think anyone refers to Nigeria as the giant of Africa but ourselves. If this is the case, are we truly that? What is the point of believing we are giant of Africa and have no presence of mind or grace to better our people? Nigeria is not worthy of a visit and pandering to our leaders does not serve the needs of ordinary Nigerians. On the contrary, it would have endorsed their corrupt behaviour and greed.
And Obama in his speech was addressing this very issue"History shows us that progress is only possible where governments exist to serve their people and not the other way around," he said, drawing cheers from the crowd". And he continued "Across Africa, the same institutions that should be the backbone of democracy can all too often be infected with the rot of corruption. The same technology that enables record profits sometimes means widening a canyon of inequality" . So it is there for all to see and we should not deny the status quo, it is what it is.
So we need to get off our high horse put our house in order and stop throwing tantrums, when people do not acknowledge our presence. Only insecurity espouses such attitude if we are confident in our abilities,we won't for once care how people behave towards us because we would know who we are and be assured of our self-worth .
Bet they didn't see that coming!
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."-- Epicurus
You know how they say that a day is a long time in politics? It truly is a long time. I had planned my page days in advance that but when I awoke on Thursday morning,I had to shelf my story. Watching the news that morning I heard that President Morsi was out, that the army was in. The president and his men have been held by the army in an unknown location.
The Egyptians had spoken, they came out en masse and they were determined that come what may, they had enough of their democratically elected president and they wanted him out. They returned to Tahir Square, the symbolic home for people's power, they refused to be moved unless their demands were met;the resignation of Morsi.
Morsi thought he could ride it out, gave in a little but a little too late. The army waded in and gave him an ultimatum, he still was not budging. In fact, he point-blank refused and that he was legitimately elected and could not be forced to resign that he would rather lay down his life for his country. Admirable as that is,in the end, the army moved quickly and decisively.
The Army general, Al-Sisi addressed the nation only 48 hours after the military issued its ultimatum to Morsi to yield to weekend protests of millions of demonstrators nationwide.
In his address to the nation, the General said,the armed forces felt it had no choice but to dismiss the president and "contain the cause of division and the roots of tensions and confront the challenges to exit the current crisis."
I have experienced several coups in Nigeria and its state of political uncertainty and it is only when you have experienced life under the army regime,that you value your rights and life as a free person.
For the Egyptians,they wanted a change and risk the army coming in over Morsis' government .
I do hope Nigerians of all persuasions are watching life in Egypt unfolding and learn from it . For the sake of those that fought and died for freedom I hope their fight was justified.
As President Obama said in a statement that he was "deeply concerned" by the day's events and called on the Egyptian military to "move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through transparent process, and to avoid any arbitrary arrests of President Morsi and his supporters."
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -- Eleanor Roosevelt
The Obamas made a trip to sub Saharan Africa with all the fanfare that one would expect from a consummate head of state, diplomat and an enigma.
Barak and his family made the best use of the opportunity that the position of the first family bestowed; visiting prestigious people, iconic places and making appearances and speeches to inspire the young and show the old guards how it is done with ease and charisma filled with the Obama aplomb.
President Barack Obama focused on Nelson Mandela's legacy and democratic progress in an address aimed at South Africa's youth.
Obama in his rousing speech said: "The reason I came to Africa is because Africa is rising, and it is in the United States' interests - not simply in Africa's interests - that the United States doesn't miss the opportunity to deepen and broaden the partnerships and potential here" and he asked South African youths "to seize a moment of great promise" whilst pointing to the legacy of Mandela and the ailing anti-apartheid leader's long-held vision of equality and opportunity. Obama was in no illusion that progress in Africa is fragile and he stressed that Africa needs to focus on expanding opportunity, promoting democracy and supporting peace.
He was in his usual astute and au-fait manner and got the attention of those that matter- the youths. For he knows with them, lies the future of Africa. He also told his attentive audience of the new US initiative to help improve access to electricity,that's a start.
By the look on the young people listening to every single word of the speech, it must have resonated with the young that someone that important said that they matter and that in their hands is the future.
So some Nigerians grumbled and felt slighted that the Obama Caravan missed Nigeria. I hear some said it was a snub that how could he snub the giant of Africa? Really? What has the giant done of late to warrant his status? Why do we always cling to our potential and not striving to ensure that we are indeed who we say we are ?. We need to rise above mediocrity and move towards excellence and 100% commitment.
Why should he? After all, the malingering state of our nation is there for all to see, except for those who remain deluded and out of touch with reality; the systematic corruption, forgotten generation, rise in unemployment, lack or nonexistence basic health and social care, human rights violations, broken down judicial and greedy legislators, and not to mention grand scale nation wide insecurity .
I do wonder at times about why we as Nigerians, like to show-off to the rest of the world about hosting leaders such as President Obama rather than for us, to focus on the main issues of solving our problems at home, protecting and looking after our citizens abroad, let us mend our extensive break-down of law and orders, the over inflated egos of our leaders and loss of humanity towards one another. So what makes us think that every head of state of note should kowtow and pay us a visit? Should we for one moment of appearance that he had not mentioned that Nigeria is failing its citizens, that corruption is rife and our leaders flout the rule of law?
Whatever the reason for Obama's omission, so if we call ourselves Giant of Africa when all we can muster is feeble purr? Whatever it is felt happened by his absence we should ask ourselves if it is really important in the full scheme of things, that Obama's one day hub-nobbing with our politicians, who would have argued and justified spending more money to grandstand the short stop over?.
Will the lives of ordinary Nigerians change? So in my opinion, it is not what people call you that counts, it is what you answer to! I really don't think anyone refers to Nigeria as the giant of Africa but ourselves. If this is the case, are we truly that? What is the point of believing we are giant of Africa and have no presence of mind or grace to better our people? Nigeria is not worthy of a visit and pandering to our leaders does not serve the needs of ordinary Nigerians. On the contrary, it would have endorsed their corrupt behaviour and greed.
And Obama in his speech was addressing this very issue"History shows us that progress is only possible where governments exist to serve their people and not the other way around," he said, drawing cheers from the crowd". And he continued "Across Africa, the same institutions that should be the backbone of democracy can all too often be infected with the rot of corruption. The same technology that enables record profits sometimes means widening a canyon of inequality" . So it is there for all to see and we should not deny the status quo, it is what it is.
So we need to get off our high horse put our house in order and stop throwing tantrums, when people do not acknowledge our presence. Only insecurity espouses such attitude if we are confident in our abilities,we won't for once care how people behave towards us because we would know who we are and be assured of our self-worth .
Bet they didn't see that coming!
"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for."-- Epicurus
You know how they say that a day is a long time in politics? It truly is a long time. I had planned my page days in advance that but when I awoke on Thursday morning,I had to shelf my story. Watching the news that morning I heard that President Morsi was out, that the army was in. The president and his men have been held by the army in an unknown location.
The Egyptians had spoken, they came out en masse and they were determined that come what may, they had enough of their democratically elected president and they wanted him out. They returned to Tahir Square, the symbolic home for people's power, they refused to be moved unless their demands were met;the resignation of Morsi.
Morsi thought he could ride it out, gave in a little but a little too late. The army waded in and gave him an ultimatum, he still was not budging. In fact, he point-blank refused and that he was legitimately elected and could not be forced to resign that he would rather lay down his life for his country. Admirable as that is,in the end, the army moved quickly and decisively.
The Army general, Al-Sisi addressed the nation only 48 hours after the military issued its ultimatum to Morsi to yield to weekend protests of millions of demonstrators nationwide.
In his address to the nation, the General said,the armed forces felt it had no choice but to dismiss the president and "contain the cause of division and the roots of tensions and confront the challenges to exit the current crisis."
I have experienced several coups in Nigeria and its state of political uncertainty and it is only when you have experienced life under the army regime,that you value your rights and life as a free person.
For the Egyptians,they wanted a change and risk the army coming in over Morsis' government .
I do hope Nigerians of all persuasions are watching life in Egypt unfolding and learn from it . For the sake of those that fought and died for freedom I hope their fight was justified.
As President Obama said in a statement that he was "deeply concerned" by the day's events and called on the Egyptian military to "move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through transparent process, and to avoid any arbitrary arrests of President Morsi and his supporters."
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