Private Jet , PublicIssue

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By Ay odeji Rotinwa kechukwu Ofili is a sage with a funny bone. On Sunday, he captured one’s thoughts succinctly in a few lines all the while retaining his now trademark humour. He said “But will my generation be different? I heard that Amaechi flew 10 of my generation people on a private jet to tour Rivers State to prove that he is working. But the only pictures I saw was private jet pictures, nothing else… no other picture or feedback from my generation people. But let me go and eat before NEPA takes light” Lost? I’m getting there. A few days ago Governor Rotimi Amaechi threw a surprise birthday party for Adebola Williams, one of the leading lights of his campaign okechukwu ofili machinery for the election of General Muhammadu Buhari to the office of President. At said party he was challenged by guests and media personalities present on his performance, ruling over Rivers State. To put away doubt, he flew 10 of said guests to Rivers to see with their own eyes, his achievements. The guests reported their findings on social media not with pictures proving whether it was true or otherwise that Rivers State was moving forward, but with pictures of themselves in the private jets, backslapping and thanking God for what He has done for them, as Nigerians are wont to do in a rush of exhibitory gratitude. As one Bella Naija commenter put it, “see me how I am living large” behaviour. This is Okechukwu’s Ofili’s subtle grouse, as well as mine. We are a generation consumed by sticking it to others on the event of new material possessions of an upward change of status. Vanity & materialism rule supreme. Worse still, the same generation screams change and when giving the chance to demonstrate they fall far too shore. Would it have killed Noble Igwe, Toke Makinwa, Bolanle Olukanni, Arese Ugwu and others, while showing their excitement at flying private to say ‘Oh yes indeed Rivers has taken a turn for the better’? Hmmm. Or perhaps there was nothing positive to share at all and of course they wouldn’t risk showing something negative. I hope this plot thickens. Okechukwu Ofili will definitely have something to say about it. And I will laugh.