By: Olatayo O. Samuel



Conspiracy theorists always like to appear smart and fore-knowing when they, in reality, are crassly shallow! They can come up with theories and narratives about any issue when they actually know next to nothing about that very issue. I am prodded to write about these arrogantly-misleading elements because of the havoc they have wreaked on Nigeria in recent times.

One was when Nigeria's Ministry of Health alerted Nigerians about the first case of Covid-19 in the country. Because the ministry would not reveal the identity of the index case (an Italian man) which is a standard health practice, conspiracy theorists said it was a hoax. Their narrative was that the health ministry handlers just wanted to loot the money (620 million naira) earmarked by the government to tackle the virus. (Find link to the details of money at the end of write-up).

The question I asked them is, how much is the money -- nothing close to a billion naira -- that they would deceive the whole world -- not just Nigerians -- that Nigeria had recorded a case? Is not such theory shallow? And now, the problem was that others who could not properly think or seek correct information for themselves fed on these theories and joined in peddling that there was no recorded case. Thank goodness, subsequent events have confirmed that there was truly a case, and today, nobody can call it a hoax.

Another is the case of the deposed Emir of Kano -- His Highness, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Theories and narratives have already been concocted by the conspiracy elements that the ousting and general travail of the former Emir was scripted by the North to position and acquire sympathy and popularity for Mr Sanusi ahead of 2023 presidential election! How unthoughtful!

The misbegotten deposition of the Emir is a story for another day. The mischievous conspiracy elements are those I want to rebuke with this piece!

Conspiracy theorists are neither here nor there; they just want to appear as 'being in touch with current happenings' and then feel good about themselves. Conspiracy theorists like to be exposed to inner, classified information and this is not because they have any good they want to do with it for the society but so they can feel proud about themselves and massage their ego. Whenever they are denied this inner info, they resort to concocting theories which always are incorrect. Conspiracy theorists can cause social and political disarray while trying to appear smart and informed. These people are ripping the country apart, hence, they must be called to order.

It is no secret that many Nigerians naturally like to put their mouths in every matter, whether or not they know a hoot about it. We need to understand that being a conspiracy theorist is as evil as being a serial criminal who brandishes rifles day and night.

Now, the CAVEAT: It is possible for someone to be a conspiracy theorist without even being aware! Yes, very possible. Many people have, at many instances, fabricated or inadvertently helped peddle cooked-up narratives, so we all need to watch out. We all need to be careful about what we assume or say. Information fabrication is not a good act to adopt so anybody who engages in such should nip it in the bud already! Let us stop polluting society with concocted theories. We must collectively preserve the sanity and sanctity of our society both in what we say and do.




God bless Nigeria!




Money earmarked by FG for combating of Covid-19:

(https://punchng.com/fg-releases-n386m-for-coronavirus-prevention/)

Ok

Lalasticlala!