From time immemorial, Nigerians have always extended their sympathy to others facing trial while at the same time neglecting their own trials.

The instances are too numerous to highlight but moving forward to the most recent, on the 13th Of November 2015, a group of terrorists affiliated with ISIS attacked Paris, France, leaving no fewer than 129 people dead and many more injured.

The world reacted to the Paris attack which even led the Facebook team to introduce a highlight of the French flag along with profile pictures to show solidarity and let the French know that the world mourns with them.

Interestingly, the day before the Paris attack, a similar attack had happened in Beirut, Lebanon that also saw scores dead but the world waved it off because after all Lebanon was not a First world country and probably didn’t deserve sympathy.









Through all of this, the part that got me very irate was when Nigerians who have neglected the continuous bombings in the North East that led to loss of lives, went on various social media platforms to express and extend their condolences to France.


Scores killed as military, Boko Haram clash in Baga, Northeast Nigeria

What happened to Charity beginning at Home? Have we become so blind and oblivious to our own travails?

On the 26th of July 2009, Nigeria had its first bomb blast which was claimed by Islamist terror group Boko Haram. Till date, the amount of lives that have been lost cannot even be accounted for because of how large the number is.


A mother in distress after Boko Haram kidnapped over 200 school girls in Chibok, Northeast Nigeria

The level of destruction that has been caused by Boko Haram is one that may never ever be recovered.

What efforts have we made to ensure that this issue is eradicated? Do we offer prayers to our innocent brothers and sisters who have died for no reason? Do we join efforts and bring suggestions on ways to fight insurgency? What do we do? It is because we haven’t taken ourselves seriously that’s why the world hasn’t taken us seriously.


Properties destroyed after Boko Haram bomb attack

Do not get me wrong, it is not wrong to show extend condolences, but it should be done bearing in mind that Charity begins at home.

Nice writeup