In every generation, some people shine like stars while others dazzle like the moon. Some are conspicuous while a host of others are simply masked in the background and shrouded by those who tower above everyone like some Iroko trees in a forest of dry shrubs.
Just a short while ago, the name Dimeji Bankole was a house hold personality, a cynosure of all eyes and an epitome of excellence among many rising Nigerian youths. With such sterling academic profile, impeccable command of English, an exquisite charisma and all the essence that adorned this quintessential Nigerian politician, it now seems to be plummeting into oblivion. It is just like yesterday, when the press celebrated him and poured all manner of accolades and encomiums on him for being behind the success of the past lower house. Now, we look back with nostalgia as the story is far from being the same.
Today, the question is, how are the mighty fallen? How would this gentleman become a scape goat of a system he once worked to sanitize; an underdog in a country he swore under oath not to let the works of her past heroes be in vain? It is ridiculous to even believe that Bankole would ever stain his name or drag the ego of his numerous fans to the mud.
A 10billion naira loan- the bone of contention; leaves many at a loss on what exactly the house members do with money in the lower house as one cares to remeber the ordeals of Patricia Eteh his predecessor. It leaves one wondering at the insatiable quest for wealth in the Nigerian political circle; the unquenchable thirst for money and the psychological weakness of the average man towards materialism. The reality of the matter remains that Bankole’s monthly take home salary can pay an average secondary school teacher for 5 years. Yet, this does not include his other benefits of security allowance and travelling allowance. How then can we justify these allegations of fraud that is based on an irrepressible hunger for wealth, fame and showmanship? This, indeed, should be a great lesson for the average Nigerian youth.
Well, taking a more unbiased look at the whole events that brought this thus far, one cannot but wonder at the hypocritical nature of the Nigerian polity. Only few years ago, the issue of the 16 billion dollar power contract scandal was swept under the carpet simply because it involved the high and mighty. Some other time, it was Nuhu Ribadu that was on the run because he was being pursued by the powers that be. A little later, when he entered back into their good books, he was restored with his full privileges. The question now remains whether Bankole is drinking the cup of vengeance being poured by his aggrieved colleagues in the former house. Afterall, all the other monies shared in the house where everyone got a share did not raise any dust at all.
However, the search light is on Bankole; he may be a scapegoat or a product of some cataclysmic vengeance. Be that as it may, it is therefore a clarion call for all Nigerians to wake up to the reality that our country is on a solid path to greatness and that our patriotism must be mixed with impeccable truth and passion to offer our quota to our nation’s greatness. It is also a reminder to current political office holders like Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, current speaker of the house of Reps that many Eagle eyes are watching him. For the sake of posterity, let us rise to the challenge of building a nation where corruption and other vices shall belong to history and one where truth, peace and unity shall become our enshrined national identity.
Arise O Compatriots, now is the time!
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