And Four Other Things…
CONTAINING COVID
Hajia Hadiza, the 80-year-old widow of former President Shehu Shagari, died on Thursday from COVID complications, according to the family. I want to make two points here. One, I want to implore families who have lost loved ones to the pandemic to make the information public. Hopefully, a few sceptics would repent and join the efforts to fight the disinformation. Two, COVID is still very much around. It is better not to have COVID at all than assume you would survive it. COVID can cause long-lasting damage to internal organs such that even after you have tested negative, the side effects can make other ailments bring you down. Please wear a face mask properly to save lives. Caution.
AMERICAN MISADVENTURE
In 2001, the US invaded Afghanistan to dislodge the Taliban government and enthrone democracy by any means necessary, foul or fair. After spending nearly $1 trillion on military operations, losing over 2,000 military personnel, with more than 20,000 injured and close to 40,000 civilians killed — not to talk of the spin-off wars which must include, at least tangentially, the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria that has killed over 30,000 and displaced as many as two million — the US has finally pulled out of Afghanistan, paving the way for the Taliban to fight their way back to power. We are back to square one, plus the irreparable damage and the irreversible waste of lives. Hindsight?
LIONEL MESSY
Lionel Messi broke down in tears last week while announcing that he was parting ways with FC Barcelona of Spain, where he had spent 21 years of his life and won everything winnable. The 34-year-old genius said: “This is really difficult for me after so many years, being here my entire life, I’m not ready for this...” Last year, he announced, without tears, that he wanted to leave Barcelona. He changed his mind after a stand-off. This year, strict financial rules mean Barcelona can’t afford his renegotiated salary. So after those sad tears on Sunday, he moved over to join PSG in France for a salary of $1 million a week. He’s having a laugh. The Bible says “money answereth all things”. Goal!
ADIEU, MOHAMMED
Mohammed Fawehinmi died on Wednesday after reportedly complaining of respiratory difficulties. He was 52. The first son of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi lived with a disability: an expectation to be like his activist father who gave military dictators a good run for their money. Gani was detained in horrible conditions countless times as he campaigned for rule of law and democracy all his adult life. The younger Fawehinmi, who also trained as a lawyer like his father, suffered a life-changing injury in a car crash in 2003 but he still managed to contribute a decent quota to the campaign for good governance in Nigeria from the wheelchair. His death is so painful but what can we do? Adieu.