Though not exclusive to Intervention, this piece is republished for the reason of the author’s elevated framing of events from the spaces of the everyday .
By Toyin Falola
When people, through their words, attempt to distance themselves from both the good and the bad of the country, it often hurts my core. I have watched with disappointment as various postulations, such as those by Ms. Kemi Badenoch, have projected apprehensive attributes to the essence of the nation, Nigeria, putting the country in a bad light despite its level of influence in the international space. Well, this piece is not for Ms. Badenoch. Many intended or mistaken views, I mean, a handful of migrants who have experienced the nation differently have taken the artist’s pencil and brush and painted the nation in different colors. However, the question is not about what they had postulated; the core question is what has led them to develop and propagate those damning opinions about Nigeria.
You see, I am an immigrant too, for over 30 years in the United States, and I have had my share of the realities of the nation as well as the situations in Europe and America. The bottom line of these disdainful opinions stems from the deep-seated cases of corruption that have eroded sanity from the face of every parastatal and office holder. It is unbelievable and so deep that those outside the country often expect unfair dealings with some Nigerians at first interactions. This is not to say they are not wrong, but the many accounts of atrocious dealings strengthen the inductive conclusions of the likes of Badenoch and others.
Ms Comfort Emmanson who became a class and gender guineapig in Nigeria’s ‘anything goes’ world
Once again, the recent turmoil in the Aviation sector over the past few days, despite being a subject of jest, has reinforced the fears of those we have been discussing. It not only makes the degenerative institutional response to cases obvious but also highlights the grave rate of corruption and the resulting destruction of the tenets of the rule of law in the nation. The recent cases have shown the aviation sector to be a microcosm of what the nation has been breeding: an utter disgrace and stain on what remains of our green, white, and green flag.
Before we discuss the personal hubris of KWAM 1, let’s discuss the system that enabled him. It is essential to note that before anyone boards a Nigerian local flight, they will most likely be checked at least three times. The terminal entrance light check, the airline check-in point, the airport security check, the terminal exit check before getting to the runway, and the boarding check. The security screening at the airport will include x-raying your bag and every carry-on item you have with you. The other security posts will also check your body for any other items that were not detected before reaching the boarding gate check. KWAM 1 carried a bottle throughout these levels of checks, and nobody flagged that he was carrying prohibited content, whether it was water, alcohol, or something else. It is even more unfortunate that different videos show different instances of KWAM 1 taking the same bottle of god-knows-what-content in previous journeys with no drama or issue.
What changed is something I cannot answer. But the fact that the system had been allowing the same behaviour is of great concern and a manifestation of the risks in the aviation sector. Many can attest to the frequent, passive requests made by many at security gates, along with the “valued” help offered by some attendants. The case of KWAM 1 is just one we have heard of. Many have been able to slip through these security checks with even dangerous weapons, materials, and other contrabands without any alarm.
Wasiu Ayinde Marshall had gotten too comfortable with the unwarranted tolerance accorded to anyone of meaning and popularity. Omo Anifowoshe must have been in the heavens and expected nothing to come out of his arrogance when he stood right in front of a plane like an “agbero” trying to ground a “moolue.” While the whole drama was up and about, we could see his attempt to call his friends of “influential bands” that could speak sense to men who were merely doing their jobs. An unimaginable privilege and tolerance he must have enjoyed in some similar situations in the past. But the difference now is that videos travel widely through the internet, and everyone, even those he tried to call, would be paraded before the court of the people.
Omo Anifowoshe is not the only one to blame; however, the already degenerating sector has people who think they can act without proper checks. Who taxis a flight with human beings, including the flight’s officials, in front of it? You see, the situation is double-edged, inflicted by the system itself and the KWAM 1 at that instance.
Kwam 1, the newest ‘ambassador’ in town
Let’s take a pause at the KWAM 1 saga and examine KWAM 2, the case of Comfort Emmanson, now the metaphoric husband and wife. The story of Comfort Emmanson remains bleak, and the haste surrounding it leaves people to doubt. In some reports, she was provoked by an air hostess, while in others, she was unprovokedly aggressive towards the hostess. There were a lot of gbas gbos, but what was clear and seen was how she assaulted people without any modicum of regard or fear of the system or any repercussion.
Like the Jankara market fight, it was not Comfort Emmanson alone who threw the jab. The world saw one of the worst incidents of abuse of human dignity and harassment. In an attempt to forcibly take Comfort off the plane, she was dragged by several men and her clothes ripped off until she was naked under the camera. As if the abuse was not enough, it was apparent some of the officials were not satisfied with merely physically assaulting her, but went on to post the video on X for all eyes to see Comfort’s nakedness.
Between KWAM 1 and KWAM 2’s events, the authorities are clueless and merely reactive. The world could see the inconsistent reactions of the agencies, as well as Minister Festus Keyamo, who danced to the tune of public discussions. When people blamed both Wasiu and Comfort, “husband and wife,” in their respective instances, the agencies and government imposed huge punishments, travel bans, and suits against them. However, after they both apologized and public opinion shifted in their favor, the agencies and the government followed suit.
Understandably, they had both apologized, but it cannot be forgotten that they were both regrettably unruly in not following laid-down protocols and respecting constituted authorities. A man stopped a flight from taxiing like it was a commercial bus, and a lady slapped an air hostess multiple times. What were the reactions? Wasiu Ayinde was appointed as the Security Ambassador of the FAAN, and Comfort was offered a N500,000 salary job and some benefits by the Delta State’s Senior Special Assistant on Media. What a country! A space where anything goes!!
Ambassadors are individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in a specific area, serving as a benchmark for others upon their appointment. They are flagbearers of the sectors and attitudes they are meant to represent. So, the logic behind the appointment of Wasiu Ayinde is weak. Understandably, his unruly behavior was forgiven due to his remorse, but it is questionable to make him an ambassador of what he disrespected.
For Comfort Emmanson, it is understandable that she was abused, and the officials and airline responsible for such abuse should be sanctioned and made to compensate for their abuse. Still, we must ask if she was without fault? Was she without fault that warrants a job offer and other opportunities? What is the connection between the situation and the job offer?
Rewarding ineptitudes when they should be condemned is an act of disrespect to those who abide by the rules. It is an utter kick to every tenet of the rule of law. If K1 De Ultimate were someone else without such fame and connections, they would be rotting in jail by now. And if the publicity that followed Comfort Emmanson’s case had not, she probably would remain in Kirikiri by now.
Those in power must realize that the nation cannot be left unpiloted and its navigation subjected to anywhere the waves carry it. The whole scenarios paint us as unserious as a nation and shows the level of respect we have accorded the rule of law. This is not a nation in chaos; everyone must understand that they cannot act however they feel. More importantly, it is high time the nation stopped rewarding mediocracies and ineptitudes; it only encourages chaos and anarchy. So, you can see how the international world would see the nation with these issues. You could see the reference points of those who gain pleasure in soiling the reputation of the country. Dear Ms. Badenoch, we have given you two additional evidence to go ahead and abuse us as much as you like!
The author is a US based Professor of African History @ the University of Texas @ Austin
