Ever since Davido stated what is as clear as crystal -the fact that Nigeria is in shambles – the self-appointed Nigerian patriotic police, Uncle Joe Igbokwe, has been after him. His pretended outrage seems to be that Davido dared to say so, arguing that even if the country were dead, Davido should instead occupy himself preaching that it had just been born anew.
This morning, I read Uncle Joe’s latest post, which commentators recognised as another veiled attack on Davido. I quote him: “When God says in the Holy Book that we should pray for the beauty of Jerusalem, He is telling us also to pray for the beauty of our country. Only a foolish person will be pointing to his father’s house with the left hand.”
I responded thus:
Uncle Joe, I believe one of your fundamental challenges is obstinacy. You seem dangerously fixated on your folly, driven by a need to prove a point to certain people at all costs – a pursuit that borders on hypocrisy.
What wrong has Davido committed by simply speaking the truth? If you genuinely love this country, you would welcome honest assessments rather than demand blind praise. Insisting that people deceive themselves and others by proclaiming the greatness of a nation that ranks among the worst in the world is not patriotism – it is hypocrisy.
Regarding the biblical reference to Jerusalem, no, it does not mean we should falsely claim our country is the best when it is at its lowest. When God instructs us in the Holy Book to pray for the beauty of Jerusalem, He calls on us to actively seek the peace, progress, and prosperity of our homeland. It is not about ignoring flaws or whitewashing challenges but about maintaining hope, taking responsibility, and striving for a better future while speaking with faith and purpose. Mourning a nation’s failings is often the first step towards lifting it out of despair.
Allow me to remind you of Isaiah 1:21-23, where God laments Jerusalem’s corruption: “See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her – but now murderers! Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water. Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.”
Similarly, in Jeremiah 5:1-3, God highlights Jerusalem’s lack of righteousness: “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.”
In Ezekiel 16:2-3, God uses strong imagery to rebuke Jerusalem’s unfaithfulness: “Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Jerusalem: Your ancestry and birth were in the land of the Canaanites; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.’”
These passages remind us that while God chastised Jerusalem for its failures, His ultimate aim was restoration, reconciliation, and the fulfilment of His promises. If God could be this harsh with His beloved city, why should we shy away from acknowledging Nigeria’s shortcomings in the hope of inspiring its rebirth? Recognising the truth is not disloyalty; it is the foundation of genuine progress.
Obienyem, a Lawyer, wrote from Awka.
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