By Prof. G. G. Darah
Dear Pandefites, Why do we always highlight news about “Wahala dey Naija” on our platforms? Is there any important country in the world without “wahala” (troubles)? Is it USA or Russia or Ukraine or UK or China or Israel or Gaza or Equatorial Guinea?
Whilst we “celebrate” the occurrence of “wahala dey Naija” we forget that oil and gas from Nigeria power the industrial stability and prosperity of many mighty nations we wrongly believe are “wahala-free”.
I fear that this midset conditions us to assume that Nigeria is a country bound to insecurity and turbulence. Yet ours is a nation of 389 ethnic groups speaking about 500 languages. With such a diversity and plurality of peoples and tongues, do we expect to live in a trouble-free utopia like a grave yard?
Please, let us also see the alternative exit points, the bright light of creative diversity and limitless opportunities. In Pandef, let’s sometimes change the songs of sorrow into audacious and boastful credos to the world thus: WITHOUT OUR OIL WEALTH, SOME OF YOUR ECONOMIES WILL PERISH IN COMBUSTIVE “WAHALAISM”.