THE AGE OF PHOBIA et al.

The Age of Phobia et al.

The things our ossicles pick up in a danfo can really be mind blowing.  You see, I was in this danfo about 45 minutes ago and sat behind the driver who had a very good friend with him in the passenger seat.  The journey commenced from ojota and I was going to alight at Jibowu. 

Their conversation became interesting to me as the driver's friend started to relay incredible scenes of violence he had either witnessed or heard about over the past few weeks and leading up to the coming elections.  He talked about a few young men who had access to weapons and who have in certain locations in Lagos used them to maim others or simply cut short their lives on this earth. 

He talked about the gun wielding crew that regularly escort the Jimi Agbaje campaign team just as the bus passed by what seems to be a strategic headquarters of that team very close to the Obanikoro bus stop on Ikorodu Road. He talked about how that team was beaten back by another gang at a particular campaign location in Lagos.  He gave graphic detail of how thugs cut down each other at the Shitta and Empire areas of Lagos like it was a scene from a wild wild west movie.  

The young man paid glowing tribute to the feats of certain high profile thugs one of whom he said was young, very humble and part of the security detail of Ambode. He made mention of certain OPC and "Eiye" fraternity confrontations and I heard names of high profile gangsters in Lagos like "Phobia, 50cents and Sego". 

Na wa for Lagos o, it is possible that the young man in the bus with me today was just reciting fables but I had also heard of killings in the Shitta axis of Surulere sometime last week so there's a chance he knew what he was talking about.  There was also a reference to an understanding between certain high profile gang kingpins and their police counterpart. 

It's sad that we have to endure this volatility and uncertainty.  The upsurge of violence and proliferation of numerous thugs and gangs cannot be separated from the decades of decay the nation has suffered especially to family values, education, unemployment and dearth of recreational facilities.  Education goes beyond being in the four walls of a classroom hustling for a degree; vocations and trades can also be learnt appropriately after a baseline and universal education is made available to every child without discrimination. 

I hope Nigerians who ought to be educated and enlightened see reason why we need to try something else from this year onwards. We have a president whose deputy is canvassing for votes by playing the religious blackmail card and who is actively and vocally being backed by multi millionaire armed militants without any whisper of condemnation.  The candidate I'm supporting on the other hand has said he's about providing jobs for the jobless and restructuring the system which is currently operational but certified flawed and detrimental to the survival of Nigeria.  Should we not at least give him a chance and see if his educational policies would put a lasting stop to our culture of strikes and  unproductivity? Should we not give a chance to the man who will most likely put a lasting stop to the vaporisation of billions and trillions? 

If we are content with a culture of astronomical waste and are willing to stay in the confines of our rooms fanning ourselves with TAN provided plastic fans when there is no power supply or watch (with our generators that is) Patience Ozokwo (did I spell that right) and Ramsey Noah act school principal and Doctor respectively while our schools and hospitals experience perpetual strikes; then we can choose to vote for ineptitude.  If we are content to stay home with our children who are deprived of education because of strike or fear of insurgents listening to jokes by omo Baba, aki and pawpaw; then let us kontinuu with status quo.  May we never experience a clash of supremacy between "Phobia" and "boyloaf".

Vote right.



Joa
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