Date Published: 12/30/09

NIGERIA IS FAILING - LONDON LINE WITH AGOFURE By Alagala A. L. (Oil & Gas Consultant) Portharcourt alagss2@yahoo.com

A Communication with my London Friend on the current state of Nigeria

The might of a nation is not in number and size. It may not necessarily be in the quantum of natural endowments. To my mind, the above factors are contributory to greatness when properly harnessed but not in themselves preconditions. Then, there comes the issue of leadership! Looks to me this is more important than others. But wait a minute, how have we fared in this great nation? From the early Nigerian leaders listed below. History should look into this matter whether in the grave or alive & all those who contributed to their success or failures.

Below is a phone text (sms) conversation with my friend from London on Christmas day, 2009.

Agofure : The Agofures in London wishing you a merry Christmas and a very happy New year 2010 and many many more God's blessings.

Me : Thanks. But why mention London when your number says so, and we know so? Happy Christmas!

Agofure : If you no like the London remove am from the text and enjoy the rest. You sabi how many Agofures dey for this world?

Me: Aro! But I don't have two Agofures and neither do your friends. Sure you sent that text to your acquaintances who already know you! Or did you wish happy Christmas to those who don't know you?

Agofure : Wetin you dey get temperature for this one for? I beg, go worry about ya president! If you do not to the Agofures, the same cannot be for others.

Me: Wetin de happen to my president? We have a president and he is in Saudi now, so? We have a president like America has Obama! Rule of law in place! So what’s your stress? Why do I need to worry?

Agofure : And I am free to write whatever I want. Go worry about fuel and leave my matter. Where you get light charge phone sef? We dey enjoy Christmas naija party and I no wan distraction.

Me: Yes, Nigeria has a president on leave! Obama goes to Hawaii, Jedda is like Hawaii...can't you understand that we are a happy people? Great nation! Not strangers!!

Agofure : Like America have Obama and he is in Cuba! Let me finish it for you...Tell your president to handover to the Vice so that he can enjoy his leave in peace!

Me: No, how can a vice take power? Vice equal to vices!! So, why should he? Our country is not run like that! Remember we are the happiest nation 2008?

Agofure: De happy there na, na una sabi, even common                      “Ghana must go” don pass una.

Me: Ghana is just a small territory. Don't you know that Nigeria is vast and large with diversity and needs long time to recover and prosper? Can't you understand that we are too many to have a very sharp and quick turnaround that you may want to say Ghana has done?

Agofure : Excuses for non-performance. If it is by size, then all the states in Nigeria are all less than the size of Ghana and should be ahead by now! Anyway, enough credit spent talking about failed state. I am enjoying my party...I am sure you are hiding inside your bedroom with tension rising from fear of kidnappers! God help you all!

Me: Party? How many of you in that party can boast of being a Christian there? More so, you are talking of credit? You people are very poor people! Moneyless!! How much did you use for the party? In Nigeria, we spend big money partying. We have money and we make real money. Business is flourishing here...

After a long while…

Me: Still waiting for your response. I have too many things to say to address your lopsided, incorrect, incoherent, and myopic view about our dear country! Let me know if you want me to send you credit! Poor Londoners who ran away without cause!

Agofure : My friend,

1). I prefer to run on credit and be free from armed robbers and kidnappers

2). The first thing a Nigerian talks is I am a born again. I am a Christian; fasting and doing all nights meanwhile the country remains crime and corruption ridden! Who are the so-called Christians? And who are the thieves? I prefer a pagan country where human life is valued than a hypocritic and parasitic useless place like your country. Enough said, am getting behind the wheels now, we obey law here!

Me: Do you mean to say we don't obey law? If you did not obey law here, how come you are obeying law there? That even reminds me: the other day I came to visit you in London, I recall those white children threw ice cubes at us from a two storey building. Is that different from kidnapping?

After a long while…

Me: Are you home now?

After a long while…

Me: You have just been "pricked" to say what you can say unfettered & uncensored. I got you well in your natural state & I am heading to the newspapers to publish the transcript of our discussion tonight. I will only change the names. All I said were geared for that purpose from start. Nigeria as we have it today is failing! Until something is done, period! Look at smaller eastern European countries all doing well... really don't know how we got here! Good night and regards to my people...