Still on Dele Farotimi

It is only for those for whom life has a greater meaning than self who will understand what Dele Farotimi is doing.

As one wit said, Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels.

As attested to by my over four decades of struggle to make my motherland and my fatherland Great, I can say that no Nigerian or African can claim to have done more than me in the struggle to make Africa reclaim her Civilizational Space.

I say that with all humility.

I did not say that to boast but to point out to those who wrap themselves in national flags and whatnot and pretend to be more Catholic than the Pope.

To them, I say: Get off your high horse.

No patriot, especially those who have traveled to or lived in a more organized society, should feel comfortable with the rot he sees around him.

Anyone who can live with the oppression of man by man or see nothing wrong with feudalists using state powers to harass citizens is no patriot have forfeited any right to criticize or denigrate those who vibrate against it!

If life has no greater meaning to you than the pursuit of your selfish interests, good luck to you.

But, please do not denigrate those who think that things could be better organized in their societies, if not for themselves, but for the generations that will come after we have join our ancestors.

This is harsh: anyone who thinks that Afe Babalola is a more patriotic Nigerian than Dele either does not know the word's meaning or needs to have her head examined.

I leave you with the words of two of the greatest human beings that ever lived.

1.

“When a person places the proper value on freedom, there is nothing under the sun that he will not do to acquire that freedom. Whenever you hear a man saying he wants freedom, but in the next breath, he is going to tell you what he won’t do to get it or what he doesn’t believe in doing in order to get it, he doesn’t believe in freedom. A man who believes in freedom will do anything under the sun to acquire . . . or preserve his freedom.” - Malcolm X

2.

“My people set dey fear too much, oooo

We fear for the tin we see

We fear for the air around

We fear to fight for liberty

We fear to fight for justice

We always have a reason to fear

We no wan die

We no wan quench

Papa dey for house

Mama dey from house

I no wan die

I wan enjoy

So, policeman go slap your face

You no go talk

Army man go whip you yansh, you go dey look like donkey

Rhodesia dey dem oooooo

South Africa dey do dem ooooo

Dem leave sorrow tears and blood

Dem regular trademark…” Fela

©️ Fẹ̀mi Akọ̀mọ̀‌làfẹ̀

(Farmer, Writer, Published Author, Essayist, Satirist, and Social Commentator.)

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