BADAGRY AND MIDODOISM: A WAY FORWARD, BY KIKEKON MANOAH

BY: KIKEKON MANOAH

My previous write-up talked about Badagry is dying of Midodoism. It discussed Midodoism as an ideology that portrays selfishness, which has become a debacle to the development of a once great city.

Badagry, which is a gemstone in the discussion of Nigeria's history, now become less to be reckoned with even in the discourse of Lagos State. 

I can say categorically, that the major factor that has brought us to where we are today is that cankerworm called Midodoism.

After my first write up on Midodoism, several persons have called my attention to the need to proffer a probable solution to this epidemic which have been ravaging development out of Badagry. I also felt the need to look into it is necessary, if truly we want development in Badagry, and also intend to bring the spread of Midodoism to an end, which is likened to a wild fire ravaging a reserved forest.

One of the people who challenged me to write this said, “Identifying a problem is one factor to solve the problem... Another factor is the solution... what is the way out or the solution?”

I said in my previous write-up that “the change we want in Badagry begins from me and you", but I think I need to be more specific on the way forward, since the beneficiaries of the damaging Ideology will not allow the change we desire to see, the light of the day. That is why a drastic measure should be a requisite to extinct Midodoism from Badagry.

It should be clear that, I am not writing this to steer-up any controversy nor uprising, in our once great city, but only to revive the lost glory and also to place her in her rightful state of mind.

Several visitors to Badagry have expressed serious disappointment or displeasure at the developmental level of Badagry, which, according to them, is archaic or still at the medieval stage. This is because what they read and heard of Badagry is not what they see. This had otherwise become a debacle in the growth of tourism in Badagry.

Many at time I felt heartbroken, comparing Badagry to other divisions of Lagos State, in relation to the role Badagry had played in the development of Nigeria at large.

Badagry can be likened to Egypt, in the case of Nigeria, as the cradle of civilisation, but in reality, inverse is the case. Look at the great city today, totally left behind because of Midodoism, which her people had allowed to infect their thought.

In response to that, a friend, Dovoeke Daniel, reacted and expressed his displeasure by asking the entire Badagry politicians "what role have they played in the quest to restore the glory of Badagry rather than stomach infrastructure?" No response was proffered to the question by our politicians, which shows the vacuum between the privilege few to the detriment of Badagry.

 I see a bleak future, if this Idea of Midodoism is not quickly addressed. I challenge everyone to look into their actions and the role they have played in placing Badagry in such controversial position.

 My heart bleeds for Badagry, looking at the level of damage Midodoism has caused. Where the gluttonies in Badagry are totally blind and deaf to the agony of the people, claiming there is bounty in the town. I see this as nothing but a mutated version of Midodoism. Where a few people seat on public resources and sing “Bamu Bamu ni mo yo....” and never care if others are hungry. The fall of a society built on such foundation is eminent, neither is development near to a society govern by such people.

Midodoism has eaten into the bones of Badagry. We are currently in search of an orthopedist, who will save the city from permanent damage.

Another step to curb the spread of Midodoism is for the people to elect a competent leader with a reputable track record, not minding the political party or tribal affinity. As a vibrant youth representative said, “the change we want can only start from within” by electing competent hands into government offices, this act will fast track the development we pray for.

I will say this again: let no man see me as politically inclined personality but as a pious advocate of human development.

My friend also opined that, the problem of endemic illiteracy and school dropout which accounted for larger proportion of the society constitute greater threat to the development of Badagry, since higher education is also required to boost development of mind which must happen for physical development to take-off. Urging the teeming population to see higher education as a task of do or die rather than being used by the privilege few of Midodoistic class.

A sincere respect to the elders in Badagry, for they have been the sail chatting the course of Badagry. If the elders should deceased from advocacy of Midodoism, since they are readily available to drive the course of Midodoism when little droplet fall to their table. The next thing you hear is heap of praises on the few hegemonic Midodoistic classes. Their rethink could be the vaccine to curb the spread and the mutation of the damaging ideology. Permit me to say this, the elders of Badagry are the major carriers of the virus Midodoism, which is being spread to the youths at no cost.

The major avenue of Midodoism is traceable to politics, where some few people believe they are immortal. Clinging to power, making it their sole right to decide who becomes "what". I bear no grudge against anyone, but the painful thing is that they see no reason to use their status to elevate the public, but only to enrich their relatives and loyalists.

I write this out of a heavy heart, grieved by the state of the once great city. I see a better and greater Badagry, because i staunchly believe Badagry can be great again. Where we will regain our rightful place in the history of this great nation, Nigeria. Where her citizens will be proud of her, boldly claiming to be a Badagrian. 

Napoleon Hill said, in Golden Rules, a book I recommend to any man that craves development, “A better society is yours for the making. But you must make it. We can point the way. You must act.” This call on everyone, to take it as his or her responsibility to make Badagry a better society. 

That is why I say, Engraving the consciousness of people’s welfare, in our heart, is the vaccination to Midodoism.

You can also read BADAGRY IS DYING OF MIDODOISM BY KIKEKON MANOAH