MY COUNTRY IS NOT FANTASTICALLY CORRUPT. - My Story

Jesse Ojobor
18 May 2016

MY COUNTRY IS NOT FANTASTICALLY CORRUPT. - My Story


In March 2007, just 6 days into my Masters degree programme, I was in class of over 60 international students being taught by a very high rated Professor of Environmental Economics at my University here in Vienna. 
Then discussions on environmental laws, policies and pollution monitoring came up. We were evaluating environmental pollution resulting from oil exploration in OPEC countries and other oil producing nations in world.


Somehow, this respected professor wanted to showcase his worldview and experiences working on environmental pollution issues in Africa. Like play, like play, naim oga Professor come say Nigeria is one of the "most corrupt country" he has ever worked in and with.


The rest of the class turned to me, seeking a confirmation. I looked up and down, laughed funnily. I said excuse me sir, "how would you feel if I say that about your country Austria? How would you feel I'd say that your country Austria gave birth to Adolf Hitler? 
How would you feel if I say that your Country is the most corrupt country in the world that uses dictators like Mobutu, IBB, Qadafi and may others money to build its infrastructure?.


To cut a long rant of a 6 days old master student short, I demand an apology from him right in the presence of all and that he should send an email to all saying same. The other students were frozen in shock, one of them knew the minute I completed my registration but here am I slogging it out with a High rated professor and demanding an apology from him.


I didn't stop there, I told him I'm going to walk out of his class in protest and then asked other students if they would join me. By the time we left the class I think only only about 12 students were remaining in the class.


The next day, I wrote a letter to the Dean of Internation Learning and Rector of the University on the issue, 18 days later we were sitting at the University Senate discussing the matter. I got my apology and my country got hers too.


After the whole drama, the news went round school of a Nigerian who petitioned Professor so and so over a statement that his country is corrupt. Because of that single incident, lectures have to change the word "3rd World Countries" in the courses because they are afraid it might be considered derogatory and undermining.


No. I didn't fail that course, I got an "A" and graduated with distinction in my masters programme. One of the few and the only Nigerian until this moment. On graduation day, the same professor was the one who gave the keynote speech, he reminded the audience of the lessons he learned teaching a Nigerian and how the world young people should never accept less. Even in tough situations.


The same Professor is has been my Supervisor in my PhD program. Na so e just be. Nobody go carry your matter for head, na only you.


Mr. Buhari. My country Nigeria is not corrupt.


In August 2011, I was elected as the Public Relations Officer of National Association Nigerian Community in Austria -NANCA.


In November 2011, an Austrian Newspaper "Haute" published a refined lie about Deziani's phantom €20 million mansion in Austria, and that Nigeria (my country) is corrupt. The newspaper went on to say that "Nigeria is a Hunger Land". 
In my capacity as the PRO of NANCA and on behalf of Nigerians living in Austria, I had to pen an open letter to the Editorial Board of that newspaper demanding an apology for printing fake stories about Nigeria and also for calling my country a Hunger Land.


It was tough, we held the newspaper by the balls, we got the embassy involved. We urged Deziani to sue them for deformation of her character. She did with heaviest team of lawyers. 
My countryman Uzoma Aham of Global Reporters carried out a thorough investigative journalism and debunked all the lies being perpetuated by ACN/APC and the Austrian Newspaper concerning the fake €20 million mansion.


Our case against the newspaper became hot chilly peppers in court. At the end, the newspaper did a rejoinder and apologised to Nigerians for calling the country a Hunger Land and settled out of court with Deziani.


Na so e be. Nigerians are not to be treated like second class citizens.
So you might be wondering why this my unusual long post. It is very simple.


For Buhari being President of Nigeria to go to London and looked into the camara and tell the world that Nigeria is "fantastically corrupt" after being asked in a rather derogatory and undermining manner is a direct insult to our heroes past. 
It's a slap on the faces of those who still hold their heads high being called Nigerians and it's curse on Nigerians yet unborn.


So Mr. President Buhari, it's you who is fantastically corrupt for not declaring your assets, you're corrupt for failing to declare the thousands of shares in Panalpina.
It is you who is exponentially corrupt for not telling Nigerians the bank you took the loans from in paying for your presidential nomination form.


It is you that is corrupt for standing on that pulpit at Race Course in Lagos and declared that you don't have millions in your account and why you received a 10 year old girl's lunch money as donation for your campaign but only to declare over N300 million in your saving/current accounts.


Sir, "Nepotism is Corruption" and agreeing to facts that you appointed your kinsmen because they were with you when things were hard with you is nepotistic and hence corrupt meaning you, my President is guilty of corruption.


I know Ena Ofugara, Henry Omoregie, Olutoyosi Omotoso, Dele Aina, Empotec, Amonia Rita Stewart, Michael Dedon, Elvis 'Desage' Osung, Reuben Idumam Temerigha, Kingsley Iriogbe, Paul Orim, Ogheneochukome Lolodi, Steward Godwin Jornsen, Ike ThirteenthDisciple Mbachu, Akpos Onohwakpo, and many others are not fantastically corrupt.


They've defend the integrity of this great country even when it seemed otherwise. These people and many others will put party sentiments aside and bark at anybody at anytime outside the shores of Nigeria who dare say that their country is corrupt.


 


 

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