Of Yari, God and meningitis outbreak

My brother, long time! How country?
We dey, man no die man no rotten

Why are you talking philosophically, is anything the matter?
I am depressed.

Blood of Jesus! God forbid! Please don’t mention that abominable word again. If not, I have to call-in the police before you leap over the Third Mainland Bridge.

Never mind! That option is for those who cannot weather the storm. Besides, everybody is aware.

What is going on here?

Are you in this country? Haven’t you heard?

What again? Is it the cash haul discovered in a building in Lagos?

Hmm! Cash discovery is already synonymous with Buhari’s administration. Therefore, it’s no longer surprising. During his hey days as military Head of

State, his government was known to recover stolen monies stashed by politicians in septic tanks.

So, what is it this time that is bordering you?

It’s our politicians. They seem to take us for granted and say whatever they like about Nigerians.

Is that all? Of course, you should know it is in their character to say whatever they like, knowing that Nigerians are long-suffering people and can endure their insults, misappropriation of funds… just anything.

Please, hold it there, before you jump to conclusion.

Whatever! So, why are tongues wagging?

Listen my friend! It is a farrago, but the one that sends shivers down the spine is Governor AbdulAziz Abubakar Yari of Zamfara State who recently said the meningitis that has ravaged the state is a result of the people’s sinful nature and, therefore, it is God-sent plague to punish them.

Hmmmm. Wonders shall never cease. Even before God visited the Egyptians with plague, there were several communications and warnings from God through Moses to King Pharaoh. Did Governor Yari ever warn his people through his media adviser to desist from fornication? Besides, is Yari a saint? How did he get the revelation?

Wait a minute, hear the crude remarks Yari made about the people he swore with the constitution to defend and protect. “What we used to know as far as meningitis is concerned is the Type A virus. The World Health Organisation, WHO has carried out vaccinations against this type A virus not just in Zamfara, but in many other states. However, because people refused to stop their nefarious activities, God now decided to send Type C virus which has no vaccination. People have turned away from God and He has promised that if you do anyhow, you see anyhow. That is just the cause of this outbreak as far as

I am concerned. There is no way fornication will be rampant and God will not send a disease that cannot be cured.”

Did I hear you mention the Constitution! That document does not have any input from the Nigerian people.

What gave you that impression?

Do you need to be told that the political class owns the Constitution? Haven’t you noticed, over time, how they interpret and twist the arm of the law around the Constitution to favour themselves?

Hey! Look here, don’t throw me into any quagmire. I think I have to take my leave before you get me involved.

Haba! Are we no longer on the same boat? Abi, you think the recession is not affecting my pocket?

Be careful and watch your tongue.

Okay! Thank you. But why has the Senate not summoned Yari for insulting his people?

Look at you! Governor Yari is adamant, he has replied his critics. He claims to have unbroken facts…in religious tenets.

Poor religion! Everybody takes shelter under your teachings while many give wrong interpretations of what is taught. What a shame!

Shame! Put shame aside, Yari says: “I stand by my word that if people do not change. God will not change for them, because if you are looking for mercy, you have to be merciful to one another. Therefore, I will answer the Emir perfectly and give him the content of the Quran and the content of the Haddith where I belong to and where I have my facts and why I mentioned what I mentioned that it’s in the Quran is in the Haddith.”

Good talk! Why are the people not protesting?
Which people? Majority of whom has already swallowed the insult with pride, some are even ashamed that their leader has washed their dirty linen in public.

Besides, the people believe the meningitis and indeed any calamity that befalls them happened because God allowed it. Chikena! Therefore, it is impossible to cultivate a spirit of change and imbibe new orientation when a people believe themselves helpless and guilty about their plight.

But, is Governor Yari ignorant of the fact that cerebrospinal meningitis is an air-borne disease, therefore, his arguments that Type C virus of meningitis is sent by God to punish the people for turning away from Him is irrelevant?
Indeed, this is clear evidence that most of our leaders are disconnected from the people.

Hmm! What is good in a leader who, instead of finding solutions to his people’s problems tries to justify his incompetence by saying there is some connectivity between human sinful nature and a disease that is ravaging his people?

Yes! There is no doubt that, analysing the positions of Yari and his critics, especially the Emir will not help the victims of meningitis and the citizens in general. However, the brouhaha has helped to expose the dark side of some of our leaders. Again, Yari speaks through his special adviser on media and public enlightenment, Ibrahim Dosara: “Over time, we know our traditional fathers for their compassion. When their friends from far and near offer to assist them, they would rather the assistance was given to their people in cash or kind. But with a traditional ruler who identifies the problems of his people….and when his friends bring help to his door steps, he asks for a Rolls Royce, there is a fundamental problem”.

This is absolutely shameful and it shows the level of leadership ineptitude that has caused not only the North, but the entire country to suffer.

My brother, our leaders are best described as NATO (No Action, Talk Only). Instead of saving his people, Governor Yari blames them for his inaction. There is God ooo!