Now that the dust has settled on the widow, go and die saga, I would like to add my opinion regardless of how belated it may seem. You couldn’t anyway when the emotions were still raw. a) Gov. Adams Oshiomole was very wrong in his outburst. Leaders serve by the consent of those they are leading. In fact, they are not by dint of their positions greater than the least of their people. In that wise, it became highly shameful and unwarranted for an elected official of state to be using such uncouth language even when provoked. Leadership is a calling to higher ideals and standards. In that he failed. But we must also praise him for having the gall to apologize in the same manner. In Africa, men are not particular known to be apologetic for anything. Our society views it as a weakness. b) By all accounts however, the woman in question was apprehended by Environmental officials for street trading. It was at the last count, an offence by the laws in that locale. We must not be emotional about anyone flouting rules. She should have been made to face the wrath of the punishment due there. We can argue about the fairness of that regulation but then that too is another matter entirely. I am sure many would say that she was only trying to make ends meet. That is another issue. Our Govts. fail our people every time on that score. What opportunities are there in society for people like her? That is a different question too and may not be applicable to what has happened here. To some it may sound elitist…but society must have rules, and the best of us must abide by them. c) Now, I take exceptions to the monetary gifts given to the woman by the Edo State Government resulting from this saga. The narrative arising from here is distasteful. What is the message here? Flout laws....get rewarded? In fact, do the unthinkable, there is a reward waiting for you. A similar instance happened with a young boy who stowed away I think hiding in the engine compartments of an aircraft a few months ago. Rehabilitation does not necessarily mean doling out millions in an effort to address the issues raised in instances like these. I think Gov. Oshiomole was using state funds here to make political points (after all the monetary gift was a response to a pledge made by the rival PDP). Now, whose money was Oshiomole spending here? Tax payers’s or his? Two wrongs they say….could never make another right…or not? But hey, what do I know?
Posted on: Wed, 04 Dec 2013 12:32:50 +0000
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