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Nigeria and Black News!
By Toyin | March 11, 2009
Within three weeks, more than twenty footballers lost their lives from unfortunate but preventable accidents! Accidents that have become almost a daily occurrence on our murderous roads and there seems to be no hope in sight to curb the unwelcome malady. Even the devil will cringe at the sight of some of the aberrations we call roads in our country.
And so lives of promising youth, future leaders and potential breadwinners for their families were snuffed out in the pursuit of the fulfillment of their dreams and passion; to compete and excel in the arena of the world’s most popular sport. As usual, the normal condolence messages and the not intended to be fulfilled pledges have gone out, only the families are really left to square up with what fate (should I rather say, the nation) has thrown upon them.
In our part of the world, loss of lives is not a big deal; after all, over 300 people were killed in Kano in protest against the war in Iraq when a single shot has not been fired in the former Saddam Husein stronghold! Such is our low premium on live. A local government election can turn into a major war and before you could say Diego Maradona, hundreds have been killed!
What is the future of a country that wastes her youth and thereby mortgage the future? Too many questions but few answers!
Nigeria must begin to work if we are to hold our head high in the comity of Nations. Ours cannot be different! And I shudder to think about the fact that when we cannot (or refused to) construct decent roads across our nation, struggle to produce electricity (taken for granted elsewhere) and seemingly unable to do simple things; when and how do we move to protect lives and properties?
The lives lost are irreparable and irreplaceable! However, we can begin to do those things that are visibly needed to enhance human life in the country.
Our emergency response system must meet up with the demands of a modern society. Good roads should not be a wishful thinking neither must we travel miles to access health services, as a people we deserve more than sorrow and death.
What about our football arenas? They are gradually being turned into gladiators’ ring where anything goes! Fans are killed right in the full glares of security agents and it’s like ‘no big deal’.
I have always and will continue to maintain that we are better than this. Ours is a heritage of kings and our kingdom is blessed beyond measures.
I sincerely commiserate with the families of those promising footballers that lost their lives in the accidents. My heart also goes out to those fans that have been molested, beaten, maimed or killed in their quest to enjoy their game; may God almighty continue to sustain you all.
If only we can collectively decide that Nigeria can be better and make up our minds that enough is enough to corruption, religious fanatism, tribalism and all the vices that had held us back in the past. The time is now for our leaders to really lead and make the sacrosanct state of life a watchword word in all government endeavours. Then, only then can we experience peace and development that only human capital can bring about!
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Topics: Biz Football, Crazy Fans, Nigerian Football, The Gaffer |
March 11th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Another deep food for thought! How I wish our leaders will lead indeed and make us proud as a people. God will stand by the bereaved and provide for them.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
May God save us from our unconcerned and irresponsible leaders that’s turned our roads and country to death traps and mortuary respectively!
March 16th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
May God grant the families of the these youngstars the fortitude to bear their losses.
I wish our leaders will take time out to read articles like this!