Photo credit: Business Post
A Nigerian Afrobeats crooner has been in the news recently.
When a new baby is born in Yorubaland, we practised placing a disused cloth on a lantern and using it to shape the child’s mouth. That’s why, when a child talks balderdash, the Yoruba would ask the child, “Didn’t they use a cloth to shape your mouth?”
However, since the musician was born in the US, he might not have been a beneficiary of the disused cloth.
The musician has been trying his best to give back to Nigerian society. For his next birthday, he has already pledged to donate 300 naira to orphanages.
Now, he advised Black Americans not to relocate to Nigeria.
So, what should he have said?
Lie?
Is the Nigerian economy not in shambles?
Are the politicians not messing it up?
Would encouraging someone to go where he could be swindled be fair?
First, anyone interested in relocating to another country must do their due diligence. Due to the internet, the world is now a global village.
They should just Google Nigerian news; voila, they would know what we think are secrets. There are other ways of knowing what the country is all about. Why are the citizens fleeing the country?
Why are those abroad hesitating about investing in their country?
Let’s talk about government.
If they are getting a loan from a body like the World Bank, would the bank not know they needed the loan before dispensing it? In other words, the bank must have done its due diligence. And, of course, the facts would be in the public domain.
Instead of condemning the singer, we should call our governments to action. If we are serious, there is enough sunshine to dry Nigeria’s clothing.
All these fancy programs may put enough money in the pockets of politicians, but the common man will still bear the brunt. Let’s return to agriculture—large-scale agriculture.
As I wrote earlier, all these fanciful projects are desirable, but they will only make some sense if we put smiles on the faces of the poor by letting them feed well.
I don’t see anything wrong with what the singer said.
