2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by ogododo: 10:46pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
When the year 2020 popped out of the womb of time, nobody knew that it was going to be what Yoruba people call Ogbologbo. Rough and tough. Unpredictable. Hungry and angry, consuming anything and everything it could lay its jaws on.
Across America, Europe, Asia, Africa, indeed, all continents, time, like an ever rolling stream, has been bearing its sons and daughters away. They fly forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day.
And who or what is the Grim Reaper? It is called a pandemic. COVID-19. Like President Muhammadu Buhari often says, “you can’t see it, you can’t hear it, you can’t smell or touch it, yet it is there, wreaking havoc all over the world.”
COVID-19 is a Great Leveler. It has removed dichotomies between the First World and the Third World. Every country, no matter the level of your health infrastructure, suffers. In fact, curiously, those who were better prepared for emergencies are suffering more, even than Africa, Nigeria particularly, with severe health infrastructural deficits. God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. When a cow has no tail, it is God that helps it to drive away flies. That is Nigeria for you.
The Grim Reaper is a respecter of nobody. It takes the rich, takes the poor. It takes the old, and the young. It takes the brilliant, and the dullard. It is still around, stalking, predating, seeking who to devour. May God keep us from an enemy we can’t see, hear, smell or touch. Amen, somebody!
As 2021 rolls in, it calls for new priorities from us as a people. As Nigerians, people ordained by fate to inhabit the area of the great River Niger, we must pause and think, and reset our priorities.
When this administration first came in 2015, every of its move was opposed by the then freshly rusticated People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Spokesman for that party then was Olisa Metuh. If President Buhari inhaled, he didn’t do it well. If he exhaled, he was asked why he did it like that. If rain didn’t fall, Buhari did it. If it rained too much, Buhari o, Buhari o. If a man was like a stud in his home, it was Buhari. If he suffered loss of power, chai, Buhari o, Buhari o.
Olisa Metuh led the charge of criticism. And he had good allies in millions of people, worsted at the 2015 polls, and who didn’t seem to realize that the elections had been lost and won, and power had changed hands.
As spokesman to President Buhari, I had the duty to respond to a good number of the criticisms. One tried to do it as decently as necessary. One day, they had been ululating over one flimsy matter, and I responded, wondering whether the professional critics had any other job at all. I told them that power had changed hands inexorably, and that they should be ready to cry for a long time, if it was the option they preferred. I remembered the reggae music group, Bob Marley and the Wailing Wailers. I borrowed the name of the band to describe them. Wailing wailers.
It caught on like wildfire. People latched onto it, particularly pro-Buhari forces, to describe the unrelenting critics. The epithet, which I originally used to describe Metuh and his rag-tag army, was eventually appropriated by everyone in opposition to the Buhari government, and they began to call themselves wailers. Well, if they loved the name, and had accepted it, what else could we do than to arrange a formal naming ceremony? We did, and rice and stew was very plenty.
They gave we the pro-Buhari forces a name. Hailers. While they wailed, we hailed. While they found nothing right in the government, they said we found nothing wrong, not even the tiniest jot nor tittle.
And so we have been coming since 2015. The wailers crying and holding their heads in grief, cursing and hissing like serpents, the hailers applauding the government and encouraging it to do better. Which side would you rather be? You know the answer.
In the year of the pandemic, everything collapsed. The economy. Oil prices in the international market. Businesses. There were emergencies, with people struggling to balance between lives and livelihood. Budget projections became nonsense. There were lockdowns, and life was generally nasty, and unpleasant. In many countries of the world, the citizenry knew where their problems came from. But in Nigeria, the wailers attempted to change the narrative. Chai! Buhari! Buhari! Buhari oooo.
But in the midst of the challenges, with earnings at about one quarter of what we used to receive as a country, President Buhari gave a charge to the Minister of Finance: salaries and pensions must not fail, and funding of agriculture and infrastructure must not stop.
How admirable. What other evidence did you need to know that it was an administration that had come to serve, and not to be served? In the same situation, in another era, those in government would be lining their pockets, looting whatever was available, to provide for themselves and their families, against the rainy day. Buhari picked salaries, pensions, funding of agriculture and infrastructure.
Let us look at infrastructure. In 2020, the year of the pandemic (which is yet to abate), did you notice any reversal in the building of roads, rail, bridges, airports, and the like? A lull during the lockdown, but things revved up again. Second Bridge over the River Niger. AKK pipelines. Long abandoned roads. Airport projects. All proceeding apace, and most of them billed to be completed in the lifetime of this administration.
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has given timelines on the completion of major projects in the country. Most of them fall within the first quarter of 2022, a clear year before the terminal date of the administration. You know what that means? 2021 is the year of work. Hard work, to deliver on the major projects by next year. Is it then a year to continue wailing? No. It is the year to calm down. A year for wailing wailers to find a vocation, and allow government to concentrate, and deliver on projects at hand. Anybody who loves the country must resolve to give government as less distraction as possible this year. Yes, there are challenges: security, economy, improving quality of lives. Lack of jobs. Inflation.. And many others. But is it the year to wail? No. We should rather hail, encourage government to do better, and engender better standards of living for Nigerians.
So, what am I saying. No criticism in 2021? No. But let it not be a full time vocation, as it has been with some people. They will criticize the rail project of the government, calling it white elephant, but will be the first to hop on the trains, taking selfies in it. Wailers, calm down. Please, “be calming down” in 2021, so that government can function with less distractions. It is not the year to cavil, find unnecessary faults, and fill the land with lamentations.
May 2021 be a better year for us all. May we be kept, sustained, and taken care of by the divine powers. May insurgency, banditry, all forms of criminality come to an end. May we get out of the Hobbesian state of nature, where life is nasty, brutish and short. May we have more causes to hail, instead of wail. May we love our country, warts and all, knowing that no perfect government exists anywhere, at least, not one run by man. William Cowper said: “England, with all thy faults, I love thee still. My country.” We should also say same of Nigeria.
May it be a splendid year. And may Heaven endorse our amen. Again, amen, somebody!
*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/2021-year-to-calm-down-and-wail-less/amp/ 4 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by BeeBeeOoh(m): 10:47pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
Somebody should remind this man that power is transient.. 101 Likes 5 Shares |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by doggedfighter(f): 10:47pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
Is this mockery or what? 68 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by ogododo: 10:50pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
Femi Adeshina no rate Nigerians Dis no be how to start a year, dis people never learn. Nothing last till ever Lalasticlala happy new year 58 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by Odewaleadesoye(m): 10:50pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
10 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by BeeBeeOoh(m): 10:54pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
By this time in 2023(we will live to see it), Femi Adesina will look back and he will be so so disappointed in himself even though he's got no honor again.. 34 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by Okoroawusa: 10:56pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
A beautiful write up!!!
Barman!...one odeku for my friend Femi.
Modified: the wailers are here already 5 Likes 3 Shares |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by Nobody: 10:56pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
Femi ? |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by Okoroawusa: 10:56pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
BeeBeeOoh: By this time in 2023(we will live to see it), Femi Adesina will look back and he will be so so disappointed in himself even though he's got no honor again.. Hahahaha...akuko! 1 Like |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by ojun50(m): 10:58pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
No worry two years no far again 27 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by johnmartus(m): 10:59pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
Fake news. |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by BeeBeeOoh(m): 11:00pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
Okoroawusa:
Hahahaha...akuko! it might be akuko to you now, but it won't be akuko to Femi Adesina in couple of years to come. 19 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by Beremx(f): 11:00pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
Do what you are supposed to do right and Nigerians will wail less and calm down. 11 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by taiwotimitt: 11:08pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
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Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by Ekez(m): 11:15pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
idiotic adesina 3 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by ogododo: 11:22pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
BeeBeeOoh: By this time in 2023(we will live to see it), Femi Adesina will look back and he will be so so disappointed in himself even though he's got no honor again.. Amen 3 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by omowolewa: 11:27pm On Dec 31, 2020 |
I think he is the one to calm down 2 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by ogododo: 12:22am On Jan 01, 2021 |
God de |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by Racoon(m): 12:29am On Jan 01, 2021 |
This man will never change even if he keeps on chanting change like die. 2 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by ogododo: 12:43am On Jan 01, 2021 |
Make we leave Femi to jolificate year 2021 Fisherman soup de for Airport road and Sapele |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by greatiyk4u(m): 12:50am On Jan 01, 2021 |
A word is enough for the wise. 2 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by Nobody: 12:50am On Jan 01, 2021 |
Femi Adeshina reminds me of the fictional Lord baelish(Littlefinger) from the book "A song of ice and fire by George H. H Martins" Above every one else he had information at his fingertip but he choose to use it for his own desire and greed at the expense of the throne and the people at large!! Who could have thought that a slice of one of the world finest dagger will end up round his neck despite his wits and wisdom. Femi has traded his conscience not for a bowl of porridge but for a face me and face you apartment in the villa.When his judgement shall come,nations will send delegates to his house to take pictures of his paralyzed body to serve as exhibits to all good for nothing media aides across the world. 14 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by IamFINESSE: 12:51am On Jan 01, 2021 |
Yoloba demon |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by ogododo: 1:35am On Jan 01, 2021 |
Flackoo: Femi Adeshina reminds me of the fictional Lord baelish(Littlefinger) from the book "A song of ice and fire by George H. H Martins" Above every one else he had information at his fingertip but he choose to use it for his own desire and greed at the expense of the throne and the people at large!! Who could have thought that a slice of one of the world finest dagger will end up round his neck despite his wits and wisdom. Femi has traded his conscience not for a bowl of porridge but for a face me and face you apartment in the villa.When his judgement shall come,nations will send delegates to his house to take pictures of his paralyzed body to serve as exhibits to all good for nothing media aides across the world. Ase 3 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by thatsleepboy1: 3:20am On Jan 01, 2021 |
This man and his cohorts are ready to drop their stunt video they recorded since November by 7am today. I pity the gullible ones that'll fall for their magic. |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by HeadShot: 4:33am On Jan 01, 2021 |
doggedfighter: Is this mockery or what? Ofcourse its mockery.... This bastards dont care for the masses or what they pass through... Very selfish and heartless lots.. They are just there for the money Men without intergrity... It was this same Adesina that said farmers should release their lands for the herdsmen.. That its better to be alive first.. Pause for a moment and think about that statement... Adesina died along time ago This is a dead man walking 11 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by kettykin: 4:45am On Jan 01, 2021 |
Okoroawusa: A beautiful write up!!!
Barman!...one odeku for my friend Femi.
Modified: the wailers are here already Who are the wailers. don't be surprised, the real wailers are the victims of boko haram and fulani herdsmen attacks in the north. The PDP folks have moved on 12 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by kettykin: 4:47am On Jan 01, 2021 |
HeadShot:
Ofcourse its mockery....
This bastards dont care for the masses or what they pass through... Very selfish and heartless lots..
They are just there for the money Men without intergrity...
It was this same Adesina that said farmers should release their lands for the herdsmen.. That its better to be alive first..
Pause for a moment and think about that statement... Adesina died along time ago
This is a dead man walking Adesina can't think out of the box, he is limited to his immediate views and environment. The problem with most journalists with their limited world views 3 Likes |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by Studivo: 4:56am On Jan 01, 2021 |
Who is this? |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by CertyAgroAllied: 4:59am On Jan 01, 2021 |
Happy new year from all of us@ Certy AgroAllied CertyAgroAllied |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by Broken2020: 5:30am On Jan 01, 2021 |
Is it not too early to start spewing trash ? |
Re: 2021: Year To Calm Down, And Wail Less – Femi Adesina by butterfly777(m): 5:30am On Jan 01, 2021 |
I am blessed. |