Be Like Nigeria..
Leaders of two Nigerian unions in South Africa on Friday demanded for an apology from a South African parliamentarian who allegedly made uncomplimentary remarks on Nigeria. A local newspaper, ``Polokwane Observer,'' on Wednesday quoted the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Mr Rudolph Rhala, as referring to Nigerians as ``corrupt people''. The paper, writing under the headline ``The Limpopo administration must avoid becoming another Nigeria,'' quoted Rhala as warning that South Africa and Limpopo ``must avoid becoming a Nigeria ''. He was commenting on the ``unquenchable appetite for corruption'' among the South African public officials at a public sitting in Limpopo on Tuesday. Rhala then asked rhetorically: ``Can we allow that? Then let's leave this country and let it become Nigeria,'' the paper further reported. In his reaction, the President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Mr Kenneth Ayere, described the comment as ``barbaric'', especially coming from a public officer.
A south African parliamentarian switched the word 'Nigeria' for 'corrupt state' while making a speech. What do you think, bad move or a call for us to buckle up and get it right. For me I am sort of indifferent. I'd advise the union leaders to quit making trouble and focus on more pertinent issues. I for one do not want Nigeria to be like Nigeria.
Update...
Ribadu said, "'recent survey data from Kaufman et al. indicates that there has been a reduction in the perception of corruption in Nigeria."
It is hard to tell from out here if this is true, I am curious as to what the situation on the ground feels like. Is there a perceived difference between OBJ's time and now. The media says so, and now there is research to back it up. Is this true?
18Comment(s):
can w really blame them? can we.
you and I know that corruption is the synonym of what happens in Abuja. but for south african media to say it, insults us abi? i won't blame them. how best can they pay back the years of anti-apartheid campaign spearheaded by the Nigerian govt, media and artists in the 80s
I totally agree with this man in his response that "Every country has its level of corruption. If not ignorance, no reasonable and sane highly placed government official can make such a sweeping statement"
Yes I admit that there is corruption in Nigeria like duh! but I believe that making such generalized statements is an insult to everyone of us. As for me, I'm not corrupt so I really don't appreciate anyone putting the whole country under one umbrella, especially when they have their own corruption issues. The statement is stereotypical and how do you think the world views you as a Nigerian even when you try to do good, its time to start taking a stand. Abeg demand the apology
Imagine that kind of words coming from an officail, but i guess we cant blame them in a way, but they (south africans) are ingrates because of all we did for them in the dark era
The problem with Nigeria is that we are too on the defensive. Ever ready with mopsticks. The Union people or who ever they are should know that a dirty mop will not do any good to a dirty floor. Corruption should be embedded somewhere in our anthem until we decide to fight it honestly. Call me unpatriotic. I live here in Nigeria and everyday i dey jam corruption as im wear babanriga dey waka for our streets dey carry out im business everyday.
Well i suppose thats the way the rest of the world sees us. People are only outraged because it hurt our collective 'ego and pride'.
just to add to my last post, if someone calls my country corrupt, best to return the favour, remember 'the best defence is a good offence'
someone should kindly point out the following news story - http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=545902
to the silly official making noise lol
I like to see episodes like this as a call for us to tighten our belts. Truth hurts sha. Thanks guys for coming by, @Dotun welcome o. @Obiwanne and @aiqokoye thanks for coming back. @Ijebuman where you been.
That man is a disgrace to his country. Is he 100% certain that if he is investigated, he will not be found wanting in his service to his home-country? (I guess if he is found wanting, he will be quick to blame his next door neighbor especially if the unfortunate neighbor happens to be a Nigerian)
Great men talks about ideas, only small men who really have nothing to offer talk about people.
The man has no idea to offer his people, so he felt the way out is to use a scapegoat (Nigeria).
By the mercy of God such people will soon need to look for other countries to blame for their woes. Nigeria is getting better and I am proud to be a Nigerian.
Another incident?
Nigerians should cover their faces in shame.
@bro.tee
I believe that this man is only trying to save his country from what might happen to her if corruption thrives. Which other african country could he have used as a case study or reference. Truth hurts. I'm sure if anybody wants to make reference to a country that has built itself out of nothing they will refer to countries like South Korea, Japan, etc. Lets play a game here:
As Technological as Japan
As Industrial as Korea
As Janded as the US
As Stable as the EU economy
As Literate as Cubans
As Super power as US
As Military as Israel
As Corrupt as Naija
If you dont like the last 'As' then lets do something about it so that we will be synonymous to good. We are synonymous to good in other areas too but corruption is a cancer that even chemotherapy cannot cover. When organs become critically cancerous what happens is total annihilation from the rest of the body. We must not wait until we are grossly ostracized from the world community before we act. The world is watching. Am proud to be Nigerian too and will be prouder when i can proudly parade other good things about Nigeria which corruption and bad image has beshrouded.
Oh! and As Terrorrists as Afgies! LOL!
@Aiqokoye you are not serious is that the best you can do? How patriotic is that? Do you see other people talking like you are right now. I am dissapointed in anyone that thinks and acts like this.
this last reponse makes me laff........so it is unpatriotic to say the truth abi. e gba wa o o. Ba mi naa omo mi ko de ni olomo
You can not denigrate us and be patriotic at the same time how many Nigerians are corrupt? I am even more dissapointed. @ Omodudu if you were in the Nigerian Governement you will be corrupt too. You will not be any different it easy to sit and talk. It is only the one that wears the shoe that knows where it pinches, Nonsense.
@da slow your horses. I know you are hurt by all of this, but really "if we dey cry we dey see road" many of us are way too corrupt, and we have accepted corruption as a way of life. Is it the environment that made us corrupt? Or could be us that made the environment corrupt? That would be the question begging for an answer. I still feel the parliament guy was just describing what he saw. Does that change the fact on the ground hmm I do not think so.
"if you are there, you will be corrupt too" that is just the kind of argument that promotes 'business as usual' politics and bureaucracy in naija. Haba. Must we all sleep and face the same direction. 150 years ago, Britain was as bad as nigeria. Ever heard of 'corrupt' borough chiefs? but things change, becos some people started talking, debating and crying about it. Then some people acted on those discussions after enough anti-corruption sentiments have been whipped up. Then the tide started changing and corruption ( what is it sef; stealing public money) was de-institutionalised, and then it becomes anti-social for you to enrich yourself from public office.
what we are saying is, there is an unspoken expectation on public officers in nigeria, from their families , friends and neighbours to amass illegal wealth. until such expectation is replaced with pure contempt to thieves, nigeria will always be synonymous with corruption. it doesnt matter wether you and I are saints or not.
a friend of mine recently got an appointment as a special adviser to a commissioner, and i wonder how many people would have approached him for one little favor or the other. even though the guy told me he is being paid less than he was earning before going for the job. now tell me how that guy will cope under such pressure. and if he tries to become a ranting sermonising saint like me, he will be tagged as the devil's brother-in-law's cousin.
Just because a minority of Nigerians are unscrupulously corrupt, does not mean that every Nigerian and the entire nation must be categorized as unequivocally corrupt!
I am glad that the Nigerians there are not taking this insult, one of many that happens on a daily basis in SA, sitting down. A full and complete apology is deserved.
Nevertheless, just as quickly and loudly as they demand an apology, I hope that those same Nigerians that were and are rightfully offended will be the first to report any Nigerians they know that participate in graft and other illegal activities to authorities. Because, if not, all this energy would have been spent in vain!
Pls o...let there truly be a reduction for the conception of corruption in Nigeria...I'll really appreciate that...