Canticles...
One of the problems we are really facing in this country is gross ignorance.
How can you talk of ignorance when the scourge of armed robbery, terrorism and diseases are wracking us down as a people?
It is the same issue of ignorance. An armed robber who knows of a better and safer way to make money is not likely to continue in robbery. But talking about ignorance, do you know that I visited a family friend earlier this week, and met him and all his family under the Ebelebor tree?
Under the Ebelebor tree? Did the wind blow off his roof?
Nothing happened to his roof. Everything is intact.
So why was he under the Ebelebor tree? Was he owing his landlord?
He renewed his rent last May. His landlord said he was throwing him out of the compound so as to save his family and the other tenants in the compound. And you know it is the type of compound usually called Barracks.
Was he a security risk? Is he a member of Boko Haram?
Not at all. The landlord even said he would rather allow a Boko Haram member live in his house than allow an Ebola Virus carrier.
So was your family friend an EBD carrier?
By no means! The Landlord explained that he heard that the Ebola Virus victim’s name is Mr Sawyer. My family friend’s name is Mr Sanya. The landlord argued furtively that he must be related to the dead victim, especially as the two of them have the same physical structure and features.
There was nothing my family friend did not explain, including bringing his birth certificate and family pohotograph to show that his was Sanya and the late Liberian man’s is Sawyer. But as far as the landlord was concerned, so long as there was a ‘Saw’ and a ‘Ya’—it could not be far from an Ebola Virus carrier. He said if Gov Fashola likes, let him arrest him, for breaking the state’s tenancy law, but that he would rather protect his family and go to jail than allow Mr Sanya live in his compound and infect his family and ruin his heritage.
Oh my God! You mean that was the reason for throwing out Mr. Sanya?
Yes! The fear of Ebola has gripped the nation. People are now too afraid to even mingle. I can imagine what will be happening in public buses and bustling markets where body fluids are exchanged easily and frequently.
It is a terrible scourge. Maybe it is politicians who sent Ebola Virus to the South to torment those spared from the Boko Haram kilings. Nobody can trust these Nigerian politicians.
Don’t tell me you are among the ignorant crowd too. Nobody sends Ebola virus. It is not a spell. It is a virus. Stop eating bush meat, always wash your hands, always use sanitisers, avoid contact with people’s blood or body fluids, and you will not get Ebola virus.
I can see it is easier to avoid the Boko Haram scourge than to avoid Ebola Virus Disease. What is this plague? Or is the world really coming to an end as Papa Ekene has been saying?
Which Papa Ekene? My friend, update yourself and stop believing in your rustic wisdom.
My brother, don’t blame me. Our troubles are too many. When will peace visit us again in this country?.
Hmmm, Muslims had a new month vigil yesterday, and Christians are having theirs today. Join one of them and pray for peace in the land.