Read her piece as published on The Trent below:
The comedian and mother of two Helen Paul, writes down her views and disappointment in President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari recent statement that he cannot guarantee the safe return of the kidnapped Chibok girls...
Hmmm… it’s one year and some days now since the Chibok girls have been missing. Yet, the days are still counting because we have no clue about their whereabouts.
This is a very sad development indeed. No doubt, it was a disappointment that the outgoing government failed to locate and rescue the girls from the hands of their Boko Haram abductors.
As a mother, who knows what the pains of child labour and child upbringing are all about, I heaved a sigh of relief when Muhammadu Buhari emerged winner of the presidential election. It was not because I like him more than Jonathan, but because I listened to one of his campaigns, where he promised to bring back the girls if elected into office.
Perhaps, Nigerians elected him on that premise.
I feel that, at least, it will be a great achievement for whoever locates and brings back the girls to their respective families. In fact, whoever achieves that will be celebrated as a hero all over the world. But then, I have seen another reason to believe that all politicians are the same.
Their modus operandi may only be different. A few days ago, exactly when it clocked one year that the girls had been missing, Buhari broke my heart, just like that of other Nigerians when he said his government could not promise to bring back the girls! I felt really devastated because that comment was a sharp contrast to the promises he made to all Nigerians and the world at large during his campaigns.
Honestly, I try not to be disappointed because you can always expect anything from Nigerians, politicians in particular. They can promise heaven on earth during campaigns, but the moment they get to power, they promptly renege on their promises. Such is life in this part of the world where we find ourselves.
I tried to put myself in the shoes of the parents, relatives and neighbours of the missing girls, who, perhaps, solicited votes for the retired General after hearing his campaign promise that he would bring back the girls. How will they feel now hearing him say something to the contrary?
There is an adage in Yoruba that says ‘ omo eni ku san ju omo eni sonu lo,’ meaning that it is better for someone’s child to die than to be missing. I can imagine the different thoughts and imaginations that would have saddled the minds of those girls’ parents. If the girls are dead (which I don’t pray for anyway), the parents will mourn for sometime and recover, but that they are missing is another experience entirely.
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It is important to note that Buhari is not a robot and he is however not the President yet because he hasn't been sworn yet.Be patient
ReplyDeleteEmmm, do you really believe girls are missing? It's all a political scam. And let's assume there were girls missing is he supposed to bring them back in less than 20 days? Or promise that he would when he can't? Can we ever be satisfied in this nation? *sigh...
ReplyDeleteUna go just de talk cha cha cha. I remember Buhari stating clearly in his campaign dat he will bring d girls back, if they're still alive. "If they are still alive" means he didn't guarantee dat he'll bring them back. @Tatafo, u're just talking out of emotions, I'll suggest u cool down n be objective. Buhari is d reason d missing $20b is now being investigated, even though he's not yet sworn in. He is also d reason d present government has now woken up to its duty regarding rescue of abducted girls n women. Buhari ain't no Jesus, n if u expect miracles from him, go to T.B. Joshua, sorry, Guru Maraj. Lol. Or could it be that u're just seeking attention?
ReplyDelete@Kissing girls, u jus de provoke when u're not even equipped with information. I'm sure u're among those who did not vote for Buhari n u're just suffering frm bad-bele syndrome. Direct ur disappointment to Ebele ur president. Nturr
ReplyDeleteI wonder when people would begin to reason rationally. Buhari said categorically that he would bring back the Chibok girls if elected and now he is contradicting his statement. Politicians are all the same. Making empty promises is one of their feature. Let's see what Buhari has on his tables. He has promised heaven and earth during his campaign. Nigeria would never change until we tackle the roots. PDP or APC, they are all the same. Buhari should just go into power and pack all the money he can cos that what they always do. Good radians to bad rubbish. Power driven people..
ReplyDelete