Thursday, 17 May 2012
Mrs. Viola Onwuliri & Our Borrowed Smile By Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo
Mrs. Viola Onwuliri
Columnist:
Correct Me If I Am Right By Rudolf Okonkwo “Everything will fade... seeing and hearing, but first of all laughter." – Wolfgang Hildesheimer
While preparing to interview Chika Unigwe for SaharaTV, I read again, Borrowed Smile - her award winning short story. In the story, a girl who has been working as a prostitute in Europe returns to Nigeria on holiday. She tells her parents that she works as a typist. Her parents pretend not to notice that she is lying so that they can enjoy the things she brought home with a free conscience.
Before January1, 2012, many Nigerians have acted like the parents of the girl in Borrowed Smile. Many of us pretended that the lies the people who ran the affairs of Nigeria told were okay. Many of us pretended that it did not matter if they steal our commonwealth. Some of us even attributed the looting our rulers engage in as something sanctioned by God. We pretended as if their incompetence had nothing to do with our poverty.
Then, came January 1, 2012. On that day, President Jonathan more than doubled the price of petrol. What followed was the doubling of the cost of living. It triggered ‘the winter of our discontent.’ The protest and debate that ensued did not make the government to reverse the price of petrol to N65 naira. The government essentially took a chunk of the income of all Nigerians with a promise to build bridges and hospitals and power plants and refineries.
As a result, the scale has fallen off the eyes of many Nigerians who had been blind. The Nigerians who had been flashing borrowed smiles brought them to an end. For some Nigerians, it is no longer business as usual. Those rulers who have insulted Nigerians for so long are now subjects of intense scrutiny. Those who used to bow for them now bark at them. Those who used to beg to differ now bang and chant as a way to force the issue. Many Nigerians have finally realized that to hold public servants accountable you must cease to worship them.
The first high profile government official to notice the change was the Minister of State for Foreign Affair, Mrs. Viola Onwuliri. She came abroad to explain government policies to Nigerians in the Diaspora. In New York, she saw that the borrowed smile had faded.
A typical visit by a Nigerian government official attracts several characters. There are those who come with their resumes, job applications and proposals for projects and contracts. There are those who come to sell houses and cars to government officials. There are those who come to take pictures with the official and those who come to propose marriages to the children of the official. And there are those who come to hear what the government officials had to say as they weighed the option of going back home.
Before January 1, 2012, the likes of Mrs. Onwuliri would have been pampered wherever she went. Nigerians would have fallen over each other to impress her and satisfy her needs. They would have convinced local politicians abroad to give the visiting Nigerian government official a key of their city. After all the public events, behind close doors of expensive hotels, deals would have been struck. Typically, these would have been deals that fleece Nigeria the more. But the deals would have been welcomed as long as they generously benefited the government official.
Now Nigerians aboard are asking questions. They want to know- Who sent you? Why must you come? How much is your trip costing us? How many people traveled with you? What is the objective of your trip? Couldn’t you talk to Nigerians abroad by skype? How long are you staying? How much is the hotel where you are staying?
Nigerians are insisting that the rights of Nigerian government officials end where the rights of Nigerians begin. Nigerians are no longer afraid to humiliate those who have humiliated them for decades. Nigerians are no longer intimidated by stolen wealth, hijacked power and false Excellency.
There are still those who suck up to those in power. These yes-men will do everything within their means to preserve and fortify the privileges of the establishment. But the good news is that many of the people who were indifferent not long ago have woken up. Many are joining the league of the vigilant. With vigilance comes query. Queries like: Why are you running for chairmanship of the African Union when your house is on fire? How many people traveled with you to Addis Ababa? How much does it cost to fuel your official cars? How could you budget over one million naira to set up a Facebook account for your department?
A new normalcy is emerging. Those who have insulted the intelligence of Nigerians for so long are going to be greeted with insults at many quarters. Those who have disrespected the honor of Nigerians are going to be disrespected by angry Nigerians in places they least expect. Those who have abused the trust of the people are not going to get the often abused ‘benefit of the doubt’. The emerging conflict will lead to heat. And light.
Those who suffer and smile do so because they embraced the illusion of the borrowed smile. That illusion is crumbling. And so is the smile. The drum of justice is booming deep into the night. Many are lining up for the eternal struggle to build a fair society by exacting justice for all.
For the first time in many generations, the alternative to our rot is becoming attractive. If we sustain the alternative by maintaining the pressure, we may be able to limit the inglorious bullshit of our ignorable bastards.
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Nigerians be warned!!!!
Submitted by Jide Ojo (not verified) on February 11, 2012 - 21:24.
An Excellent Lady in my opinion. A mother, kind and dignified. It's unfortunate that some idiots on Sahara would descend so low to insult their fellow brethren. Nigerians beware of SR. Their false stories intoxicate but destroy. The HOmos who run the network are the problem... Have you asked yourself why they are not in NIgeria? but in New York, the heart of Homosexuals? Nigerians think for yourself.
wahala
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 5, 2012 - 20:31.
i do not know what state you come from,be that as it may,be rest assured your state is not better than any of the five Ibo speaking states.
nwanna, at the time the
Submitted by socrates (not verified) on February 5, 2012 - 17:59.
nwanna, at the time the subsidy removal saga was raging, ndigbo were being massacred in numbers. bro, when will these dastardly acts attract your mighty pen?
Unbelievable
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 5, 2012 - 15:40.
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Very Cold!!!!!
Submitted by Mengistu Haile Mariam (not verified) on February 3, 2012 - 18:49.
@DELE: Did you just call these people gays as in sissy fags? Is this a mistake or what? I sure am listening. Did you mean to say "these gUys?" Now we are talking.
@wahala and femi are igbos.
Submitted by ijawman (not verified) on February 3, 2012 - 10:30.
@wahala and femi are igbos. This is how they fake everything, even including faking themselves. They faked fuel subsidies removal support for jonah so as to create an impression that those protesting only wanted to bring his government down. They pretended like this hardship does not reach them. Then when an hausa man takes over Nigeria and things are worse, they begin to cry marginalization of ndigbo. Fools.
Viola Onwuliri is a useless woman!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 2, 2012 - 21:10.
Dis useless woman again? Mtcheewwww! Irrelevant Minister, tryin by all means to be relevant. Jst make sure u steal enuf 2 complement d 1 ur useless husband stole frm FUTO. Lost respect completely when d fool stoop low 2 b Ohakim,s running mate bcos of money & power. Her brother Edward Oparaoji is here in US bn stupid himself.She only came 2 US 2 gallivant, I knw her likes. She is jst a round peg in a square hole in dt Ministy, power really intoxicates. One quick advise: steal enuf now itz ur time & rest, if u ever contest Imo state election again, we will help u waste d money. A complete mgbeke dt used 2 fix 3-in- 1 weavon, why wnt she fix Brazillian hair now she steals frm Nigeria, mumu!Very Irresponsible woman, always likes 2 show herself, bitch!
wrong move wrong target
Submitted by Dele (not verified) on February 2, 2012 - 10:11.
these gays rudolf and sowore ended up like their ilks, when time came to prove manhood their balls shrunk. poor idiots, next time learn to not make wrong move on wrong target
Ministerial Travel & Borrowed smiles.
Submitted by AloyWill (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 21:01.
These questions posed to the Minister were appropriate. I hope she answered them, but how are we sure that she will report this to whoever sent her or the authorities that be. If this is done, we can look for corrections if any from the government. If keep smiling and pretending that all is well, then the country and the future of our children are doomed.
To my all nigerian brothers
Submitted by Akogun Lisabi Agbongbo Akala (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 19:29.
To my all nigerian brothers we need to go war on those mudafukas then they will know what it fills like when they lost someone in their family, Hey my yoruba guy am inlove with what you do at the stupid meeting, i like the way u short that meeting down, i supose to be on of the crew
Faud 419
Submitted by uche (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 19:15.
fo long SR and co have gotten away with falsehood and sensational reporting...this is first time they fall on their face publicly, hence all these lying eports to save face. its not gonna work. hte new york meeting was disrupted by SR then were walked out by NYPD, while the cool calm and collected minister completed her meeting. so who won? what a buch of fraud, 419ers,,hmmm
When in a hole stop digging
Submitted by Lizzy (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 18:58.
what a wasted space of a wite up....you need to find something else to write and get your eputation back. youve lost it on this one. I saw your doctored tape, false claim of meeting shit down etc. when in a deep hole stop digging. By your action you got people like me who warned against electing jonathan, to have sympathy.
Wahala has spoken well!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 18:58.
Wahala has spoken well!
immunity
Submitted by sojourner (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 17:35.
does being a profersor and a woman gives one a kind of immunity against citizens protest against misrule by their leaders.i have heard a lot of bullshits in my days but this top all
@ Evan
Submitted by bandit (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 17:04.
Oh now this all begining to make sense. I heard this before but didnt want to be the first to say it. Anywonder most of the folks SR has attacked in this regime are all women...mostly Igbo women? Okonjo-Iweala, Allison Madueke and Prof. (Mrs) Onwuliri? Well with the fight they now have on their hands, they should know never to mess with an Igbo woman. I should have told them if they cared to ask.
Dont be mad or maybe you should be
Submitted by chibueze (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 16:48.
I know how it feels when your mission fails..that you couldnt even stop a meeting led by a woman...although an igbo woman, shows how pathetic you are....remind me never to go to battle with you and your cowardly yoruba friends at SR. I was gonna say do not be mad, but on second though may be you should. From all i have read, the minsiter did just fine during and after your noise. now shut up!
I still dey laugh oooooo
Submitted by Agina Ude (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 16:41.
This loser posing like a hero? with people like you diaspora would lose any respect they got from the june 12 fight. which they fought galantly and won. you couldnt even occupy a small meeting...as one of the articles read the minister ended up occupying the occupiers. i still they laugh oooo!!
SR had their their sissy asses handed to them
Submitted by Evan (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 16:31.
Since the SR ran into the Ministers cool buzzsaw, they have weitten 3 articles, did i say 3 articles? yes 3, in attempt to justify their widely condemned confrontation, which they lost. Rudolph and his gay partner sowore had their sissy asses handed to them, as they were walked out of the meeting and the meeting resumed and concluded. SR has gotten desperate to the point of doctoring tape of the meeting, aggressively recruiting various outlets to help make their case, all to no avail. Reading them you wouldnt know the visiting team peacefully were in 6 other cities boston, dc, atlanta, chicago, los angeles, houston. The way they shout you wouldnt know they are sponsored by El Rufai a well known crook. What a shame.
WAHALA
Submitted by Julius Abey (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 16:25.
Honestly speaking, I wish we all will let people like Wahala go with thier BIAFRA. They cant even govern the STATES that they have now. Go and see what a mess they make for themselves. Jews of Africa, hardworking, intelligent my foot. Just go and look at these people STATES,but, try and come back alive.
Wahala
Submitted by Julius Abey (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 16:09.
@Wahala, na wa for u ooooo. Why must everything to people like you must be seen through the lens of tribalism ? I'm sick and tired of people like you, always making noise. Take a look at the STATES in the south East. Your Governors are all IBOS..right ?, see how those STATES are governed. Jews of africa my foot. Please, make we talk beta thins jare. Go home, tour your Eastern States, come back and tell us what you see and went thru.Noise makers.
@ Wähala
Submitted by Sumanguru (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 15:14.
Bros, you are completely out of order here. I read and admire you but this childish display of ethnocentrism is unacceptable. I am also of the Igbo stock but if my own mother steps out of line like Mrs. Onwuliri has just done, I will consider it my patriotic duty to say so.
These government officials have carried on for too long as if they are answerable to no one but themselves and Nigerians are saying enough is enough!
Your 'Prof.' Viola Onwuliri was a running mate to the thief/thug of Imo state Ohakim. By the way, I don't care who her husband is. You fall my hand on this one o, Wähala.
Kill Nigerian Looters (Leaders) Abroad
Submitted by Olugbohun (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 13:36.
Nigerian leaders who loot the treasury of our great country...its high time that they get attacked or even killed abroad since we can't have a peaceful protest back home or speak our mind. I love what happened in the town hall meeting in New york.
Fake professor wey nothing
Submitted by igwe of nigeria (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 13:08.
Fake professor wey nothing dey her head.
Kudos Sowore
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 12:41.
Sahara Reporters, please keep the the good work going and be less bothered about sponsored detractors. We shall get there sooner than later. God be our strength.
@ Kunle Adebgoye : Reciprocity of Respect !!!
Submitted by Wähala (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 12:11.
@ K. Adegboye :
Are you Rudolf Okonkwo? I cautiously directed that quizz at Rudy but since you've decided to wipe your dirty ewedu mouth on my socks, read this: Everything! Lack of proper protocol cost SR a great opportunity to interview Dr. NOI. That boisterous disruption of a public forum achieved nothing. Did the lady cancel the rest of her trip because of Rudolf & co? But, if they had used the opportunity to ask tough questions like: "why was her portfolio necessary when we already have a 'foreign minister' doing the same job", more could've been achieved. A minister once aborted a follow-up meeting because he couldn't stand the heat my friends and I mounted, that's the idea, to box them into corner. If a Dr. of dolphins and tilapia could get his aborigine vuvuzela to inscribe that prefix to his name, I believe it is right and just for Ibos to start respecting their own, much like you ewedus love your Prof. Soyinka, Nobel Laureate! Kapish?
Rudolf..beware of yoruba thugs..
Submitted by okonkwo kenneddy (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 11:45.
This piece is capable of eroding the goodwill and reverence to which i have always held you..What you did to that woman falls below the igbo standard.I can understand that omoyele was behaving true to yoruba character by the brutish,primitive and thuggish display of area boy style intimidation of a weaker sex.However,i am of the opinion that you acted in tandem with the sahara train which does nothing but promote yoruba agenda...I am still waiting for the day you derail a yoruba entourage ....
Protest did not start with Jonathan's administration
Submitted by Stanley Igwe (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 11:30.
Rudolph you sound as if protest against government in Nigeria just started with the recent occupy Nigeria. Just to remind you that Nigerians protested against the military regime of IBB, june 12 protest was massive and PEGASSAN actually shut down refineries, which led IBB to step aside. During OBJ regime there was strike by NLC/TUC, disruption of events in abroad did not start from you guys. MASSOB in 2007 disrupted meeting presided by Frank Nweke Jr and I believe that is where you guys copied the disruption protest. watch the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5mNjp-ddvk&feature=related
Today it appears we have woken up because those who kept quiet before were benefiting,now they are leading protest because either they lost election or was kicked out, people like Fani Kayode,Dino Meleye,El-Rufai,patrick obahiagbon,Dele momodu,Tunde Bakare, Odumankin etc. check these people they are disgruntled politicians.
What the good book says
Submitted by Emeka K Duru (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 11:16.
Until the "occupy Nigeria" outburst I had struggled to understand Isaiah 29:17,20: Is it not yet a very little while,and Lebanon shall be turned into a very fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see,out of obscurity and out of darkness.
The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord,and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy one of Israel.
For the terrible one is brought to naught,and the scorner is consumed...
We can change...
Submitted by E (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 07:32.
Just when you think you've spotted a glimmer of hope, folks like Femi and wahala make comments that baffle the crap out of you. These sorts are the elements we hope to rid ourselves of.
Yeah its Endtime of bastards bullshit!
Submitted by AbdRoheem (not verified) on February 1, 2012 - 07:21.
Just like it jolted the decades-long Arabs despots and European vagabonds, its now starring our Bastards-In-Power(BIP) the endtime of inglorious bullshits. I dont know the quatum of insults melted to the minister, but she should be glad enough to ask her nothern counterparts or even quartet of Sanusi,Okonjo-Iwella,Allison-Madueke and LabaranMaku, if its impossible to ask GEJ himself, they would all tell her their raw deal in the gallow of public humiliation. These BIP should learn from the Occupy series and be humble enough to serve with conscience and humility, and not with arrogance and stupidity.
