Agboworin: Why Do We Spit At Our Very Best?*

Nigerians are a paradoxical people, demanding excellence but often turning around to tear down their best.

This behavior recalls the grumbling of the Israelites after God delivered them from slavery through Moses. Despite their miraculous escape, they frequently lamented, complaining about discomfort and longing for the familiar chains of Egypt. Their confusion led Moses to bewilderment, and they wandered the wilderness for 40 years.

Today, modern Nigerians exhibit a similar tendency; blindly following trends without applying critical reasoning to current issues.

Among these followers are distinct groups:

The Bandwagon Followers: They move with the crowd, even if it leads straight back to bondage.

The Cynics: Pessimistic by nature, they magnify negativity, celebrating faults without pausing to objectively assess matters.

The Mischievous Manipulators: These individuals know the truth but choose to twist facts, driven by mischief or financial gain. They are the cyber-terrorists of our age.

Unfortunately, many Nigerians participate in and spread social media bullying and cyber terrorism, often without considering the severe consequences. This toxic behavior has driven some of our best public servants away from their duties.

One notable example involves a public servant mocked mercilessly during a live interview for a minor mistake in recalling a web address; an understandable error during the early days of digital adoption. Instead of showing professionalism, the interviewers exploited the error, subjecting the individual to public ridicule, violating journalistic ethics in the process.

Similarly, during the presidential campaign, President Bola Tinubu became the target of relentless social media attacks. Like a pack of jackals, his detractors twisted his words and mocked him, aiming to damage his image and derail his candidacy.

Recently, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo suffered a similar fate when a minor numerical slip was amplified, mocked, and circulated widely. Those responsible, like monkeys jeering from treetops, reveled in their own ignorance, attempting to discredit a leader with genuine intentions for his people.

Now, it’s the turn of Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin, one of the most hardworking and effective members of the House of Representatives. His offense? A minor slip while speaking. In a malicious act, someone edited the footage to magnify and repeat his mistake, making him appear incompetent.

English, let’s not forget, is not our mother tongue. Many Nigerians struggle with it to varying degrees. Dyslexia, a condition that affects reading and language comprehension often goes undiagnosed here, leaving many labeled as failures. Yet in other parts of the world, people with learning difficulties have risen to greatness; Nelson Rockefeller, who became U.S. Vice President and Governor of New York, struggled academically due to undiagnosed dyslexia. Similarly, many renowned tech billionaires and scientists are on the autism spectrum but thrive in supportive environments.

If these figures had been born in Nigeria, they might have been mocked into obscurity.

Despite the campaign of calumny against him, Hon. Abass remains committed to serving his people. Reflecting on the incident, he stated:

“On that day, I made a valid contribution by proposing an additional prayer to the motion under debate. I suggested that we honor our military personnel as a form of encouragement, citing examples from the United States, where servicemen receive special recognition and awards. I was shocked to see my minor communication slip with the presiding officer circulated to trivialize my contributions.”

Unfazed, Hon. Abass continues his dedicated work in the House, undeterred by baseless attacks. His passion for public service remains strong, driven by a desire to uplift his constituents and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Those who think they can tarnish his image should think again – his actions speak louder than their words, and his resolve will only strengthen.