"Hunger is not to be expressed by whistling, that is why the ink will not stop purging its over-feeding witnessing situation"
I have been busy with one of my priorities on campus (examination) for the past one month which has limited my piece for November to just news reportage to the News outfit I belong to. However, l consider it necessary to air my opinion on the issues happening around in Nigeria in recent time.
As a protest writer, the very event that caught my attention most was that of "a seven year old boy" that was burnt in Lagos State some weeks back for attempting to steal cassava flakes (garri).
Although, several media houses reported some days after that the victim of this jungle justice was not 7 years old but a notorious thief on the street. As one who belongs to the school of common sense, this piece will address the both argument of being a 7 year old boy and being a (matured) notorious thief on the street.
Although, several media houses reported some days after that the victim of this jungle justice was not 7 years old but a notorious thief on the street. As one who belongs to the school of common sense, this piece will address the both argument of being a 7 year old boy and being a (matured) notorious thief on the street.
I am not of the opinion that a 7 year old child should not be corrected when found guilty of criminal offences, perhaps if one do not correct kids at early stage, it may be too difficult tomorrow. However, l believed that burning a victim attempted to steal "garri" was unjust. You will agree with me that in most cases,'common sense' is a punishment to man who lives in the midst of those who don't have it. If not, the right senses of the folks who apprehended this victim ought to tell them the following:
1.) Sit him down
2.) Get him enough "garri" and sugar
3.) Allow him to drink/eat to his satisfaction
4.) Ask him the reasons for the mischievous act (of cause, the boy response will have to do with poverty)
5.) Flog him for doing such
6.) Lastly, admonish him of the consequences attached to stealing.
2.) Get him enough "garri" and sugar
3.) Allow him to drink/eat to his satisfaction
4.) Ask him the reasons for the mischievous act (of cause, the boy response will have to do with poverty)
5.) Flog him for doing such
6.) Lastly, admonish him of the consequences attached to stealing.
You will agree with me that in recent time, the economy recession caused by some elements in this country has caused more harm than good to the humanity. From my research before this piece, I discovered that majority of Nigerians live below $3 per day and this remain a known fact to even our rulers. This reminds me of Femi Kuti lyrics; "Suffer too much for Africa oooo, boys dey hungry for town Ooo,
when you open the newspaper and see the way dem dey steal when boys dey hungry for town ooo, boys dey hungry, girls dey hungry".
when you open the newspaper and see the way dem dey steal when boys dey hungry for town ooo, boys dey hungry, girls dey hungry".
Secondly, on the argument that the victim burnt was a notorious thief on the street; to me the citizens of that community worsen the case, we have law enforcement agencies that would have moderated the case according to the provision of the constitution. What ought to have been done:
1.) Apprehend him
2.) Inform the policemen
3.) Let the government do justice.
2.) Inform the policemen
3.) Let the government do justice.
I am of the opinion that some persons among those who burnt the victim will think about the above steps but won't loud it for him not to be beaten because Nigerians no longer trust police. Remember l wrote an article earlier this year titled "Police everywhere, Justice nowhere". Permit me to share a story that was used to mock the police some weeks back which goes thus:
"A guy visited the restaurant with the sum of N100, bought food of N2,000 and couldn't pay, fortunately for him, the restaurant put a call across to the police, of course they came, apprehended the guy, on getting to half of the road, the police charged the boy to bring the N100 with him and was freed." That's Nigeria police for you.
Have l abused them? No, I only passed a message to Nigerians.
"A guy visited the restaurant with the sum of N100, bought food of N2,000 and couldn't pay, fortunately for him, the restaurant put a call across to the police, of course they came, apprehended the guy, on getting to half of the road, the police charged the boy to bring the N100 with him and was freed." That's Nigeria police for you.
Have l abused them? No, I only passed a message to Nigerians.
No one ask question about the conditions of the family of this victim, not even the government, we really need to spare a thought today. Jungle justice is nothing but indiscipline and we really need to wage intellectual war against this act in and out of our society.
Imagine if every one has affordable food on their tables but reverse is the case, poverty keeps winning the game. After several questions heaped around my neck, l concur that "na bad government no gree make we succeed."
Happy New month.
Regards,
Adejumo Kabir
08131863610
adejumoka1@gmail.com
Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-lfe
Adejumo Kabir
08131863610
adejumoka1@gmail.com
Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-lfe
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