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Dora Akunyili: The Woman in the News or the Power of Tongue? By Adamu Muhammad
“Nothing is more conducive to peace of mind than not having an opinion” ---George Christopher Lichtenberg. (1742-1799) German writer “Waste no time arguing what a good man should be, be one.” ---Marcus Aurdius Things happening in the country most especially in the political arena have indeed made Nigeria an ennui place with full of political crisis, which was attributed due to lack of free and fair elections that gave birth to ravenous, egocentric, emperor and unjust leaders ,e.t.c. and the society have been enfolded with arm robbers , 4 1 9s, Kidnappers, Corruption, Religious crisis, Unemployment and Ritual Killings, among others. Presently, the pages of Nigerian dailies and perhaps the entire media also the floors of the National Assembly (Upper and Lower chambers) have been immersed with vigorous sessions of annotations and indeed intellectual psychotherapy of spontaneous talk, utterances and tongue-lashing on President Yar’adua by Prof. Dora Akunyili, the former head of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Now, the Minister for information and communication. Dora Akunyili, the Minister for Information and Communication may have hit the bull’s eye in her analysis but we are however ,of the opinion that she should direct her oomph, plans, view or ardour towards re-orientating the Nigerian polity, especially in her call or plan of re-branding concept instead of buck passing, which making some unwanted utterances that will disturb the peace of the nation. To be candid, Dora has taken so many things in her strides. Hon. Your performance at NAFDAC brought a lot of respect, praises and earns you a great honour but now, your controversial disposition and utterances have as well earned you national and international attention, accusation and hatred if you don’t know? It is good to advise Akunyili to control her tongue and mind her language when addressing or discussing issues, because she is a national figure and because words can shape destiny and words make us wise and foolish, sad, joyful, cry and laugh. Negative words have ruined many marriages, destroyed relationship, shattered dreams recoiled hopes, incarcerated potentials and crippled destinies. Negative words have caused strife, dissensions, division, wars, misery, tears, and despair. Harsh words throb like bees and cut like the sharpest knife .Physical wounds can heal over a life time but damaging words can last a life time. On the other hand, positive words have a way of bringing joy, happiness, progress and life because the positive or pleasant words are a honey comb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Watch your words, they become actions, action becomes habits, habit become character and character become destiny. Also any person that lives with critics, he learns to condemn, also If he or she lives with hostility, he or she learns to violence. Allah yakiyaye (God forbid). Ameen. In line with our discussion, i have to remember Friendrich Nietzsche statement which he said; “What upsets me is not that you lied to me but that from now on, i can no longer believe you.” while an English physician and a writer, Thomas Browne said “I could never divide myself from any man upon his judgement for not agreeing with me in that, from which perhaps within a few days i should dissent myself.” To this respect, we have to do more to achieve higher degree of piety and spiritual upliftment , in the same manner we are expected to become divinely blessed, morally refined and sincerely closer to God than ever before, because we have to have a mission for a better Nigeria, a nation of just and committed leaders, faithful religious leaders, honourable politicians, fair journalists, compassionate doctors, dedicated teachers, reliable civil servants and a country with just judges also with loyal army etc. As for Yar’adua, we pray for his sound and speedy recovery. In the words of Socrates which he said, “An unexamined life is not worth living”. O God, we seek refuge in you from oppressing others or being oppressed, from doing wrong a suffering and from committing an error a sin which you will not forgive. May God guide us aright. Ameen.
Adamu Muh’d Usman
Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State |