TuesdayRapAround; Nigeria: A Nation Bedevilled With Mixed Feelings

Notwithstanding the myriads of challenges facing the country, there came a time when the nation – virtually ‘spoke’ with one voice.

This was down to the two spectacular goals scored by the Leicester City of England and Super Eagles of Nigeria player, Ahmed Musa against the Icelandic national team on June 22nd.

The entire nation, getting off from the below-par performance against Croatian team in the opening game, practically went into wild jubilation – no thanks to the class of touch Musa and company brought into the field of play when they faced the tiny European nation.

Momentarily, Nigerians forgot the many ups and downs that they are confronted with due to sheer lack of responsible leadership across the nation’s diverse sectors.

One only hope and pray the Super Eagles will continue in this their sterling performances when they face the Argentines in today’s crucial encounter. This, at least, to some extent will save Nigerians the stress of coping and leaving with the daily untold summersaults from the accidental leaders that the nation has erroneously been blessed with.

The Argentines, being the favourites, have everything to lose. This is the reason why the Super Eagles, should maintain their cool and face the match with rare determination and zest for achievement.

The implication of this is that – as long as the Super Eagles is still in contention as the tournament progresses, the more opportunity Nigerians have to heave a sigh of relief and or a have a temporary departure from the usual topsy-turvy that governance in Nigeria is known for.

Also, the accidental leaders in the country, are also provided a face-saving window to hide their calamitous regime and maladministration from the prying eyes of members of the public.

Sincerely, one can only hope the nation’s team extend their stay in Russia, to vie for more glory, laurels especially at this trying times in the nation’s history. Football, as a major tournament, is no doubt huge in bringing about unity, and promoting lasting peace. The passion of the round-leather game extend beyond sex, race, tribe, colour, religion and it doesn’t appeal to parochial feelings – its beauty is all-encompassing. It is a major symbol of unity around the globe.

Where it is staged in an atmosphere that is devoid of rancour, bias, subjectivity and discrimination, the game is capable of building good neighbourliness, brotherly love and lasting peace in the society.

Obviously, this is one of the major reasons power brokers around the world passionately support and promote sporting activities globally – all to enhance peace, unity and development worldwide.

Nigeria, on her part, cannot, and should not shy away from this noble objectives.

Rather than secretly supporting characters whose utmost goals are to cause confusion, perpetrate evil, hiding behind criminals to kill, maim, destroy properties, under a veiled quest for more territories, government can work out ways for these elements to channel their energy on something productive and beneficial to everyone.

For instance, how does one justifies the statement credited to chairman of the north central chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Danladi Ciroma, who was quoted as saying the attacks were about 100 people lost their lives were “retaliatory”?

Retaliatory by who and against who? And a sensible government still believes the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against humanity are unknown? Why would the government always be reactionary? Why can’t they be proactive for once – if not that they are in the know or some highly placed individuals are feeding fat on the endless chaos in the country?

Gory images, properties in their complete ruins are all over the place. No doubt, human lives are as worthless as yesterday’s pounded yam nowadays in Nigeria. How on earth mere humans would trade pride in killing fellow human being? A life that you cannot create. Ciroma, was even bold, to claim that nobody should expect peace so long they cannot find their lost cows. And here we are saying we have a government?

Nigeria is not only derailing, it has effectively and efficiently displayed every traits of chaotic, lawless, failed state. There is no justice in the land anymore. Injustice has become the order of the day.

This is one major aspect where Nigerians, whenever they are out there, are being commended for their resilience, inspite of the dehumanising agony, and harsh economic conditions they are exposed to. What an average Nigerian is faced with back home, his counterpart elsewhere cannot near one quarter of it.

This is the more reason why greater performance is expected from the nation’s representatives in Russia.