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For speaking
out on a number of staggering issues about Ghanaian authority’s poor treatment of Nigerians in the country, the distinguished and bold Professor of English
was sacked. What more evidence is needed of the ill-treatment of Nigerians in Ghana? This reminds one of the sayings that the oracle hadn’t
even decided yet and its prophecy had already come to pass.
Before, it
seemed to be a case of rivalry between the highly resourceful Nigerian citizens
and their overtly jealous Ghanaian counterpart. But now it appears the issue is
backed by the authority too!
Suggested: Read The Plot of Harvest of Corruption
Suggested: Read The Plot of Harvest of Corruption
When I
first saw a post about his argument about “The American Scholar”, a powerful book
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote a long time ago, I felt proud that finally, a Nigerian scholar is driving home the point about the need for the African Scholar also to
modernize their knowledge. So this caught my attention:
“We should
start verbalizing the ideas we write in our papers. In fact, all the great
debates in books should be made into films/videos/images that people can relate
with easily.”
Little did
I know that the worst had happened.
Whatever
the Ghanaian authority felt was wrong with Prof Augustin Uzoma Nwgbara’s indictment
of not only the Ghanaian government but also that of the Nigerian should not
have amounted to a sack, nor should it have led to an arrest as reported by the
media.
When I watched
the video,
I felt very embarrassed that a man as honourable as Prof Austin Nwagbara should be so ill-treated. His offence? He
voiced out about the systemic hatred of Nigerians by the Ghanaian authorities. Indeed
the professor’s sack has, quite impressively, discharged and acquainted the Ghanaian
authorities of all their charges of social-economic and educational injustices against
Nigerians. Ghana, how smart you are!
But let’s
face it. It is saddening to see that Africa is yet to learn her lesson. After all
these years of political and technological backwardness, we still dwell in sheer
self-pity and cross-border irresponsibility. We still wade in the negativity of
our differences rather than soar together with the blessings of our diversity. In
a rapidly growing world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and The Internet of Things (IoT), it is sad that a Ghanaian Minister would consider
the sack of a reputable Professor over his personal observations about the
state of things in both Ghana and Nigeria as “appropriate”. No doubt, we really
have a long way to go.
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What do you think about Prof Austin Nwagbara's arrest and sack in Ghana? Let's hear your view in the comment section below.
What do you think about Prof Austin Nwagbara's arrest and sack in Ghana? Let's hear your view in the comment section below.
Professor Austin Nwagbara, obviously, spoke the truth and was badly treated for the same.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that the injustice meted out on him is a consequence of a shameless corrupt nature of governance.
However, he did right.
In my opinion, exposing the unjust Ghanaian government is a heroic action on the Professor's part.
More beings like him are needed to ensure equity, fairness, and unity.
It's a gradual process. It's time to come out of the cower and fear of the response of the majority, especially those in power offices.
How many would dare stand up to speak boldly the truth in spite of the harsh aftermath yet unknown while the right action is being upheld?
I praise this post and the brilliant writer for acknowledging the truth and disseminating this information which I opine ought to go round like a wild fire.
I won't forget the great idea up there, about verbalising penned ideas into words and visualising them. This will enhance the viral distribution of truths and thus expose falsehood, and create awareness for desired change.
Thank you for your brilliant contribution, Femi. When we have come to this era where men and women of letters like Prof Nwagbara are expected to be silent on social matters, you should know that our society is in trouble. Remember Wole Soyinka's "The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny. What more can I say?
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