Should ThisDay Newspapers Carry This?
Really should a national newspaper like This Day carry an op-ed like ? I see this as reckless and a waste of valuable real estate. Here is a quote from This Day newspaper to commemorate Nigeria's independence day celebration. Inasmuch as I believe in free speech, there is a level of maturity and reciprocrity which is expected to accompany the freedom of speech. Main-stream media is all main-stream for a reason. Below is an excerpt from the the daily. A fool at 40 is a fool forever, the saying goes. Nigeria was a fool when she
turned 40 seven years ago and remains foolish to date. How appropriate and yet
sad. Forty-seven years of nationhood and yet very little to celebrate. The
Nigerian state is surely chronically ill, ethically and morally decadent and,
frankly, suffering from a severe case of middle-age crisis. Since Nigeria gained
independence, she has had various systems and forms of government - unitary,
parliamentary, military and now democratic presidential. Despite Nigeria's
enormous human potential and abundant natural resources, the promise of these
various governments has been a woeful. They have not kept their promises but
floundered and left the Nigerian people worse off than when they were under
British colonial rule.
Our journalist an editors ought not to continue in this psychological abuse of Nigeria and Nigerians. I reckon that I am a chief complainer about the state affairs in Nigeria having been beaten by the character of some folks at the helms of affairs in home country. Yet I find it difficult to relate with an article that can at best be termed as outright degrading of our national psyche. Where was this columnist during Ettehgate or May 29th. Enough of this armchair commentaries and give us some investigative journalism. Oh why oh why can't we have a better press corps in a country know for its zealous academicians. Enough is enough, and please remember, to whom much is given much is expected. Leave the rants for bloggers and concentrate on being more productive. Can somebody please send me an email if This Day ever comes up for sale, I will be willing to pay N1000 for this kangaroo journalists.
Whao, that felt good this blogs has not seen a rant in a long time.
18Comment(s):
Oboy you are looking for trouble, when this journalists descend on you.
are you suprised? well i'm not, it used to be a given tradition (prior to Yar-dua) that every October 1st we would be reminded by screaming newspaper headlines how foolish we are(funny thing is in most cases the newspaper journalist are more foolish than everyone else).
but since yardua's coming (i've said previously on my blog that the same magnitude with which people respect yardua is the same magnitude with which they hated-or like going at OBJ) things have sought of lightened up.
i stil think the guy (yardua) is dry and lacks charisma though. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY NIGERIA!
We can't deny the fact that what they said is true, but i don't think they should have published that article.
If Nigerians taint the image of itz country, what do we expect others to do?
...you took the words right out of my mouth @Oracle
"If Nigerians taint the image of itz country, what do we expect others to do?"
they may have some truth in the article, but the paper is very naive...In the world today image is everything (like it or not)
USA are far from perfect, but you will not see anyone, talk less of a journalist disrespect there flag or call it a "fool" on 4th of July... A famous comedian at the time (Rosanna) made a mockry of the American anthem and the was a backclash and she had to apologies to the American ppl...
You guys are all in denial
Can anyone of you point out to me anything the man said that was wrong. Please just one please. I concour with the comment above you people are in serious denial.
Simply! do not agree with you KM, is Nigeria suffering from low self esteem or what?
Great blog keep it up
? I thought the journalist is a fellow-Nigerian? If he calls our motherland a fool at 47, then I wonder what he or she should be called.
While it is true that Nigeria has not done well, it is wrong for a child to be the one publicizing the foolishness of his father. That only gives the child a bad image as a potential fool.
Americans love America despite her short-comings (which are many). But Nigerians are yet to appreciate our motherland.
I am proud to be a Nigerian. Nigeria is moving forward. I owe nobody any apology for being a Nigerian.
Long live Nigeria!!!
Unfortunately the journalist is right on point. and to answer your question Omodudu, shld ThisDay publish that? HELL YEAH.. Like Nigerians cant take harsh constructive criticism.
Good ppl like that are talking, you find it offensive? then get to work at making the place a safe haven for the populace!
My 2 cents!!
@Naijadude na wa o...you are one of them shey..Kindly point out what could be deemed as constructive in that peice please....I am waiting o.
I do not think the This Day article is construcive.
I actually found it interesting.
Didn't know we had come to point where we could say whatever we were thinking at the time we were thinking it.
Refreshing actually.
I am sick and tired of hypocritical accolades and encomiums that go out at times like this....
totally agree with bro tee
"While it is true that Nigeria has not done well, it is wrong for a child to be the one publicizing the foolishness of his father. That only gives the child a bad image as a potential fool.
Americans love America despite her short-comings (which are many). But Nigerians are yet to appreciate our motherland"
The message could either be seen as a psychological ‘put down’ weapon, or a weapon to wake us all up and make us aim for better things. Silence isn’t always a source of great strength. We can either delude ourselves that everything is fine when it isn’t, or we could call it down the middle. What really matters is what we do about it.
Interesting article and I think we need more of this!...What better day than independence day to wash your dirty linen in public?
Kudos to THIS DAY!
She says, "...the promise of these various governments has been a woeful..."
And I ask, why does she sound woeful!?
But seriously, she made some points, but the overall article is overwhelmingly dark!
There is nothing wrong with expecting more of yourself...The reference is not to the people of Nigeria, rather to the governments that continue to rub and deny us our potential. I love Nigeria and I pray for Her everyday! I sincerely hope that one day She will rise to be what She was intended. Thank you my brothers and sisters; it's always the pleasure to hear from you. God bless Nigeria! Ema.