Our own babel of voices

Babel is a Hebrew word for confusion. It was derived from a root, meaning “to mix.” That was the strange city the disobedient descendants of the biblical Noah strived hard to build.

They hated God’s commandment with passion. They didn’t want to be fruitful. Neither did they want to multiply. They didn’t want to fill the whole earth either.

So, they rebelled and God confused their language. Testimony, Genesis 11 verse 9: “Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all earth: and from hence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.”

They couldn’t speak with one voice anymore. They hurriedly abandoned their tower project. And they scattered as the Lord commanded.

Some of them wandered aimlessly. They were unlucky to land here. And they became Nigeria and Nigerians. Those were our stiff-necked ancestors. Very unfortunate.

Sadly, since the time of Noah, we’re still wandering aimlessly, confused. Great pity! That played out profoundly on our new ministers that Monday, August 21, 2023. It was Nigeria’s replica of the biblical babel of voices. And we had it in reckless abundance. The ministers were as riotous as those voices of Babel. They were just as lousy, rebellious and confounded. We couldn’t spot any difference. Same of the shame.

They boasted, beat their fleshy chests. They promised heaven on earth. Some swore. Others opted to vow. We could read their thick lips. We were able to see them through varying colours.

The veils were unveiled. And the curtains torn, “from top to bottom.” Their utterances exposed their nakedness. Their emptiness startlingly manifested. It was a great discovery for us.

Hard they tried to cajole us. They only ended impressing themselves. Yes, the greedy ones. It paid handsomely off for us. Very few were honest. A large chunk was dishonest, outright liars. Those characters actually spoke their sincere minds. They couldn’t hide anything from us. We were glad they behaved the manner they did.

All of this happened to us last week. So, how do we then describe last week? How about its shameful and disgusting fallouts? One who missed Nigeria last week missed everything called Nigeria. Our week of weeks. Evidence abounds. Testimonials are everywhere, overwhelming too.

Nigeria got it both ways last week; wrong and right. Stranger than fiction! It was Nigeria’s last week. Our over-ambitious ministers were in firm control last week. They held the week by the jugular. The results are unending. It was a typical Nigerian week. Known only to Nigerians.

Last week was one rare ilk of its own. And its Monday peculiar to its unique kind. That week would only be made in Nigeria. Nowhere else would you find such shenanigans carelessly displayed.

What an uncommon clime is ours! Loosely dropped on our fragile laps. Just imagine. Simple inauguration of a cabinet. It was turned into a bizarre carnival. The new ministers sang like canaries. Do you blame them? They chorused praises. The bootlickers among them vomited uncontrollably. We can understand.

Few were genuinely sincere. They knew the Herculean task ahead. Standing tall, towering. Yet, they saw possibilities. They didn’t see it as insurmountable. With strong will and determination, it can be dismantled. They resolved to make positive impacts.

What’s more, they did it quietly. No beating of drums. No form of entertainment. We sincerely acknowledge those in that humble category. They are the materials we need at this critical moment.

Sure! We were feasted to the fullest. It was exceedingly beyond our wildest expectations. We were bewildered. Some utterances could be appaling. Others were simply appealing.

Few others came with encouraging words. They spoke to our situations, our plights. They genuinely attempted to rekindle our desire, dream. A truly renewed hope of some faint kind.

Since last week barged on us, varied events have been vigorously competing for our scarce attention and limited space. They are happening at the speed of light. The cabinet itself is huge. A disturbing mixture of the good, the bad and, perhaps, the very ugly. The reason for the babel of voices.

From the lot, we invariably spotted Hannatu for an awkward distinction. She merits it. She absolutely deserves it. Hannatu Musa Musawa calls the shots at the Federal Ministry Art, Culture and Creative Economy. She is its ultimate helmswoman.

While her colleague-ministers were busying themselves making promises, pledges, with empty mouths, Hannatu did the more absurd. She was dancing herself into troubled waters. We knew it when we saw the video trending that it wouldn’t have ended well.

Our fears were confirmed earlier than envisaged. She eventually sprayed herself into unending controversies. Jumping from one to the other. Until she became deeply soaked and overwhelmed. She can’t find her feet. She fumbles and tumbles all the way. Her ilk doesn’t give up easily. That’s why she’s going deeper into avoidable mess.

We are baffled. Tinubu sticks to ministers with loads of burdens and baggage. He holds on to them as if he can’t exist without them. He musters all the available strength in him to strengthen them. He loves the mess around them. And cherishes the unending controversies that swallow them. For him, it’s a game, a sport. We differ vehemently. That’s not how to run a responsible and responsive government. The President errs. He goofs. 

Hannatu should know that talk is extremely cheap. You only need a functional mouth, effortlessly put a voice into it. And talk flows ceaselessly, unhindered. That is the case with Hannatu. She is seamlessly talking herself into crises known and unknown.

Tragic! She remains irritatingly unrepentant and arrogant. Nothing missing, nothing broken. She insists she is on course. It’s business as usual.

Let other susceptible ministers be on their guard so that they don’t go the way of Hannatu. Let them begin to take useful note, if they have not. The battle is for the tough, the survivalists. It is not for the weak.

Nigerians won’t forget last week. They will measure you. Yes, they will scale you. These ministers must be made to walk their talk. No matter how reckless. This horrible narrative must change for the best.

Our leaders are long in words but acutely short in actions. They must account for the words they poured out last week. Every letter uttered must be meticulously interrogated. They are at liberty to talk. And we at liberty to make them responsible for their talk.

They had their tea party last week. It was quite sumptuous. They were filled to the brim. It was their luck. But that is no more; it’s our vow. That laxity has gone with the whirlwind. No dull moment again. We won’t relax on them. No retreat. No surrender!

Great relief, the odd party is over. We have moved on. Tinubu has “scattered” them to occupy their ministries. They will be called upon to account for their deeds and misdeeds. We’re counting already.

Their delicate time starts now!

And for all of this mess, the Senate begged her to take a bow! That was uncalled for. We were devastated.

Hannatu remains a stinking throw-back to Tinubu and his presidency. A stain she is! We stand to be convinced.

LAST LINES

These thought-provoking poers are harmless but pleasant. Courtesy: Dr. Yemi Farounbi. He’s former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Philippines. This presidency must meditate on them deeply. Eat them lavishly. Drink them heavily. They will nourish this presidency when it lasts:

“I begin to wonder. Is there no screening committee for these appointments? Is there no lawyer on the committee? Or the Presidency was possessed by courage? Courage to break the law? Never possessed by reasoning and wisdom. Gbam!