I am writing this editorial to make a point but at the same time I am hoping someone would tell me this, “hey, get your facts right!” and point me in the right direction.

I am referring to the Typhoon disaster in the Philippines and the response (or lack of) from the Nigerian government.

The typhoon has been described as the biggest typhoon ever to hit the earth and death toll has been put at around 10,000 by certain sections of the press although this has been debunked by the Filipino president who put the number closer to 2,500.

Unless I’m missing something but I haven’t heard any response from the Nigerian government, let alone a promise to send relief material, money or any sort of aid for that matter. Like I mentioned above, if I’m wrong I beg to be corrected.

Hours after the Typhoon hit the Islands and while the damage was still being accessed politicians from the United Kingdom and the United States have been expressing their concern and speaking with those at the disaster zone to see what they can do to help.

The United States sent soldiers to help clear debris and distribute relief supplies while the British government announced that Britain would be giving £6 million to the Filipino government in aid. Shortly afterwards, David Cameron, British Prime Minister, announced that a team of British medical specialists have been dispatched to the affected zone to assist with the provision of medical care for the victims.

Why is it always those two countries that rush to disaster zones to aid the victims?

Yet, people wonder why Britain and America go and fight wars in other lands, spy on their citizens and generally want to dictate to them how to live their lives?

No, I’m not saying the relief material have been sent in preparation to dis-stabilise the Filipino government.

The fact of the matter is that US and Britain don’t only see themselves as the Policemen of the world they also see themselves as the only ‘good Samaritans’ and carers-in-chief. Giving so much in aid gives them the moral justification to invade other countries and spy on them.

They see themselves as ‘parents’ or guardians to other countries, punish them when they cross the line and care for them when they are hurting.

They can do this because other countries won’t. I really would like to know if any African country has sent any relief material to the Philippines..., no? They seem not to realise that at any point in time the citizens of any African country could find themselves in the situation that Filipinos are in at the moment. When that happens who are they going to rely on, Britain and America again?

This is the time when Nigeria and other so called emerging markets need to stand up and be counted by sending relief material to the Philippines with no strings attached, solely for humanitarian reasons and not with a view to scoring any political points.

The truth of the matter is that the Filipinos will not forget in a hurry and it will take the ‘burden’ of Britain and America.

Besides, what are the rich muslim countries doing to help these people?

God2man.

God2man: Besides, what are the rich muslim countries doing to help these people?

God2man.

God bless sir, What are they doing with all their petrodollars?

This post is really thought provoking. That is exactly how a country spreads its influence around the world: helping out in times of crises. Nigeria should learn to start doing the same.