February 18, 2009
The statement attributed to Brig.Gen. Oluwole Rotimi (rtd) is the sort of statements Nigerians make everyday in relation to power. You hear things like “do you know me”, “who are you”, “I am not your rank”, and “whose is your mate”. The joke is that in Nigeria identical twins are not even mates. In London, you hear Nigerians always saying “wait till we get to Lagos, “that London is a leveller but Lagos is a sorter”. Ironically that statement is being made because of the “level” nature of London and you equally wonder if Lagos sorts the men out from the boys, what are they still doing in London? They don’t wonder that this level playing field is one of the reasons why things are more successful in London.
Power is the all in Nigeria so much so everybody believes he/she has someone up there who will always give them what they want. At the end rules, regulations or procedures are either broken or not followed which brings total confusion or standstill in the society. Nigerians are so on an ego trip no wonder they never arrive anywhere, even the late Fela Kuti sang so much about this in his songs. Even Nigeria as an entity believes it is the most powerful country in African even if it can’t feed the citizens.
The statement attributed to Brig.Gen. Oluwole Rotimi saying “he was the Adjutant -General of the Nigerian army that defeated your ragtag Biafran army”, shows the army is made up of illiterate and semi- illiterate personnel. You may have the military might or tactics but you still need intelligence. It is even more surprising, as an Ambassador you expect Rotimi to use more diplomatic language but no the “power show” always take over
In the scheme off things in the present world people should think before making statements which are sensitive in nature. People have been sacked or forced to resign in the developed world when they make racial, religious or ethnical statements which may technically be right but very sensitive in nature. Brig.Gen. Rotimi (rtd) making that statement was not just about tribal or ethnic sensitivities, it was first and foremost more about I am “more powerful/have more ego than you foreign Minister” You now wonder why people in authority and power in Nigeria never want to give it up.
God bless the most “POWERFUL” nation in Africa
Power is the all in Nigeria so much so everybody believes he/she has someone up there who will always give them what they want. At the end rules, regulations or procedures are either broken or not followed which brings total confusion or standstill in the society. Nigerians are so on an ego trip no wonder they never arrive anywhere, even the late Fela Kuti sang so much about this in his songs. Even Nigeria as an entity believes it is the most powerful country in African even if it can’t feed the citizens.
The statement attributed to Brig.Gen. Oluwole Rotimi saying “he was the Adjutant -General of the Nigerian army that defeated your ragtag Biafran army”, shows the army is made up of illiterate and semi- illiterate personnel. You may have the military might or tactics but you still need intelligence. It is even more surprising, as an Ambassador you expect Rotimi to use more diplomatic language but no the “power show” always take over
In the scheme off things in the present world people should think before making statements which are sensitive in nature. People have been sacked or forced to resign in the developed world when they make racial, religious or ethnical statements which may technically be right but very sensitive in nature. Brig.Gen. Rotimi (rtd) making that statement was not just about tribal or ethnic sensitivities, it was first and foremost more about I am “more powerful/have more ego than you foreign Minister” You now wonder why people in authority and power in Nigeria never want to give it up.
God bless the most “POWERFUL” nation in Africa
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