BADAGRY IS DYING OF MIDODOISM, By kikekon Manoah

By kikekon manoah

The word Midodoism is from the phrase “mi le dodo or mi le sho or mi ye sho" depending on the variance in dialect in Ogu language. It simply means (we alone) it’s a word used to segregate or seclude or a word that depict selfishness among the people of Badagry today. The word was first used by Chief Dr, Awhanse John Idowu. The ideology can be seen as one of the major factor that has been affecting the development of Badagry.

Despite the fact that 80% of the people in Badagry are Ogu speaking people, they are still not United except when threatened by a perceived outside enemy. The segregation among the people is based on various reasons, either as a result of structural or administrative division of local government, since Badagry is divided in to three (west, central and Olorunda) most often in any political or social gathering that requires discussions which will enhance the development of Badagy, the idea of Midodoism comes in, then you notice the discussion has been directed to the interest of some group of people, which had remained a stumbling block to the development of Badagry.

Midodoism is also seen where some group of Badagrians decides to grab power and remain in power till death, the worst of it, is that, they are not ready to upturn the condition of the people of Badagry and Badagry herself but firmly shrouded in looting her yields. Midodoism is one of the factors that contributed to the underdevelopment of Badagry today, where you see some group of cabals who will always exchange any fortune for misfortune simply as a result of greed of money. They only care about their pocket, as they care less about Badagrians that are dying, suffering, highly poor and finding it very difficult to survive.

Midodoism can be seen in the state of Badagry roads today, where some group of selfish people will pocket our projects or divert project from it intended position to suit their greed. They are never ready to help and they are ever ready to block any help coming. Here comes the question of "how long will Badagry wallow in the shackles of Midodoism?

Midodism can simply be seen as selfishness which had been penetrating into the bones of development of Badagry. Looking at the role Badagry had played in the history of Nigeria, either on education or religion or even in the aspect of Western civilization which started from Badagry, I believe it should be one of the most develop city in Nigeria but inverse is the case because of Midodoism. 

Midodoism has also crawled into inter-communal relationship, where each community faces her development alone and never come together for the good of all despite the fact that they are the same Ogu people. I have looked into the reason why Yoruba adage says “Ajeji owo kan kogberu dori” and if this proverb can be true, definitely Badagry can go no where with the idea of Midodoism.

Looking at politics in Badagry, Midodoism is clearly seen, for instance, come to think of a place where people representing you in national and state level are not indigeneous people not to mention resident, how then will they know your problems. The Midodoism here is that, there are some group of people that prefers giving indigenous post to strangers which would permeate their control, since they believe indigenes may not dance to their tune or better still a puppet from indigenous people, who could not question their atrocious act.

On the other hand, Midodoism still affect the indigenes representing us as honorable members, who had refused to behave like honorable members but horrible members. Once elected or appointed, they relocate to either Abuja or Ikeja which shows how they care less about the people, as they don’t even know what we want, all because of Midodoism, as those who could voice opposition are already on the payroll of stomach infrastructure. This has made progress a protege of the few, as they only care about themselves and their families or relatives or political associate, which is a form of Midodoism. They now think and behaves as someone on a new trend, who had forgotten the path through which the ladder was climbed. The common man is no longer accessible to them since things has changed from what it used to be before they were elected or appointed through Midodoism.

In Badagry politics, we are expected to practice the rules of unity in diversity and bipartisanship shouldn't evade the growth of the community but the form of virus of Midodoism political parties we have, had done more hazard than good to us. The political climes prioritize party over their people. It is so bad that in the event of a dynamic idea by an intellectual fellow, such a person faces the criticism of bipartisanship of leaders who assume opposition in place of creative ideas. This raise the alarm for the question of how or through what means would Badagry break the chains of Midodoism virus? 

Badagry is dying of Midodoism, she is struggling for breath, saying “ I can’t breath” calling for help from her children of the once great but controversial town. We must not leave her to die before we start fighting for her. The change starts from you and I. #Badagry live matters.