In Nigeria for instance, there are so much ignorance on rampage even among the educated who are either lazy to seek information or are indifferent to what happens around them. Our national political, economic and social discuss has been left in the hands of the ignorant people who are not well informed. In an era of social media, peddled lies becomes public opinion and superior argument takes the back seat. The ignorance that parades in our polity needs urgent confronting. Who will help us?
The election of 2015 that ushered in President Muhammad Buhari created majorly two class of individuals in our polity. Words such as "Wailers/Haters" and Hailers took the center stage and thus identifies you depending on the side you support. I found myself on the side of Hailers and that also has defined my character and the pursuit of verifiable information and knowledge. I am privileged to be trained by one of the world most informed leader in the person of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. Pastor Chris believes in sound reasoning and thinking outside the box. He once told me that 80% of popular and major public opinions are 100% wrong. What it means is that following the bandwagon will also mislead you. The voice of the people is not the voice of God he insists. One of his greatest teachings is "if a lie exist for 100 years, it will never become the truth". Because of the above knowledge from him, the instinct to always check information before I accept has put me in collision with the present crop of Nigerians who are swayed by every figment of people's imagination and opinion on issues. Paul said in Acts 17:11 about the Berean Christians. " Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. How often to you check information before you share or rebroadcast or do you share as received.
Just few days ago, Nigeria unveiled her National Carrier, the Nigeria Air. While the Hailers saw it as a major point for the Buhari administration, the Wailers/Haters saw it as dead on arrival and prayed that It never see the light of the day. The Hailers in my understanding also may not know the full details and composition of the National Carrier, but in as much as it came from the Buhari administration, it's worth supporting. The 5% ownership was questioned and many argued that how can a country unveil an airline with only logo and without a single aircraft. Others stood their ground to inform us how much of an error it is to unveil an airline without first securing the domain name for the organization. They speak with so much passion, but without knowledge. They want to carry us along and force us to their ignorance. God forbid. The will never succeed.
I have enquired where the federal government really went wrong. I have asked a question on how much a crime it is to set up a
National Carrier that will become a pride for the nation.
Before you wail further, you must first understand some details and what it means to have a National Airline or National Carrier or most times A Flag Carrier. A National Airline is owned and strongly identified with a nation. It's also defined as an airline or merchant vessel registered in a given country. What it means is that the country of registration takes full responsibility from administration, set up and personnel. Such nation owns the majority investment. Airlines like Eithihad Airways, Ethiopian
Airline,Egypt Air, Air India,Air Mauritius,Aerolíneas Argentinas, Kenyan Airways, Qatar Airway and many others fall into this category. These countries have majority equity in the entity like Rwanda Air: 99% owned by the Rwandan Government, Kenya Airways: 48% owned by the Kenyan government and Ethiopian airlines owned 100% by the Ethiopian government.
The National Carrier or Flag Carrier on the other hand is an airline or shipping company, that is locally registered in a given sovereign state, which enjoys preferential rights or privileges accorded by the government for it's operations. It flies the flag of the company and is mostly driven by the private sector. Example of countries that operates National Carrier or Flag Carrier are Austrian Airlines [owned by Lufthansa], Bulgaria Air[0.01%], Air France[18%],American Airline [20%], British Airways [15%], Lufthansa only flies the German flag but it is a privately owned.
Nigeria has just set up a National Carrier with a 5% equity share and to be managed by a consortium of investors. Available information has it that Qatar Airways and Ethiopian airlines has already indicated interest for a majority share. It will provide many benefits for us as a nation while giving us the ample opportunity to export our culture. It is a well known fact that we spent billions globe trotting and enriching other airlines while we eat their food and drinks. I remember my experience with a particular delicacy while flying on Thai Airways. I nearly vomited. Before you wish death to Nigeria Air, first think of eating Nsala Soup with fufu or pounded yam. Think of your favorite Yoruba,Calabar, Hausa/Fulani and Urobo foods while on board the Nigerian Air. Imagine coming down at JF Kennedy Airport on board Nigeria Air with your beautiful green passport and accompanied by beautiful Nigerian Air hostess selected from every tribe. It will be fun and will also become our bragging right.
We should try the much we can to eschew hatred for our country. If a project is laudable, encourage it. If it's not perfectly structured, offer your own contribution constructively than running it down. If leaders are not encouraged, it drains their energy to perform. We cannot be praising OBJ for running down Nigeria Airways because he is not supporting PMB and at the same time trying to bully Buhari for ever daring to set up Nigeria Air. Always define and examine your conscience to find out if it's in line with the progress and goodwill of your country. If your party or person is not in power today, they can be tomorrow. It's turn by turn.
I believe that people should be more informed well enough before they make contributions. Too many Nigerians has been seduced by the lies of politicians who rely on their ignorance to bring about disaffection in our polity. Government on itself should should invest more in educating the public. When the people have more information on your plans, they will certainly go along with you. I have a strong believe that if the people are not ignorant, they would never be ruled by ignorant people. Democracy is the rule of the people but I sympathize with those opposing opinions about the Airline without adequate knowledge. May Nigeria Air succeed and become one of the best in the world.
Nnaemeka Ikerionwu
Email: meganaija12@gmail.com
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