RACE, WAR & BAD GOVERNMENT: NIGERIA-UKRAINE.

Source~Pexels: edited with Collage Maker

It's sad the state of the world today.

We all know about the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. The chaos and destruction it has caused and the lives it has taken.

Nigerians being stranded in Ukraine is no joke and it was brought to my knowledge through various sources of the maltreatment and racism Nigerians have faced during this trying time.

It's a shame that even at the point (at the very face) of death, color is still an issue. Lives are not of same value as long as your skin is "not white".

Even with this as a major concern, few Nigerians are still willing to stick out their necks to fight for their people. Many are willing to take the risk to rescue their loved ones.

Nigerians who successfully made it back to Abuja gave their first hand experience on what they faced at the borders of Poland.

Africans and Asians among others were vehemently descriminated against even harassed and robbed. I use the term robbed because they were asked to pay $500 to cross the border.

Many were denied sleeping places as the reservation were just for "Ukraine" citizens. At this time when life is precious, these people do not show us their love for life at all.

ONCE AGAIN A DISAPPOINMENT...

Pexels~edited with Collage Maker

Following the several complains of the students/citizens who made it back to "motherland", the National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) rebuked the President for his slow action and inability to act like a leader should:

"Like other aspects, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency fumbled again. This time, woefully, because it failed to effectively and timeously evacuate Nigerians from Ukraine many weeks before the eventual war started, following the needless invasion of Ukraine by Russia on the illegal orders of President Vladimir Putin.” – Emmanuel Onwubiko

This isn't the story with Nigerians though. After the call of President Volodymyr Zelensky asking for participation all around the world, about 115 Nigerians showed up at the Embassy volunteering to go fight.

In my head, it's either they haven't read the news about how we are being treated over there or they just really value the life of others there.

The terms presented to Nigerians who were going to support in the war, as volunteers nonetheless, was a sum of $1,000. According to Second Secretary at Ukrainian Embassy, Bohdan Soltys, it was necessary to cover costs.

It could be assumed that these volunteers wanted to go rescue their family or truly fight.

However, ex officers in the Nigerian army were applying for this role and when a personnel was asked reasons for going to fight, he expressed his need to support his family through earning money. Which means it's also seen as a job opportunity for many within this field. The pay being offered according to sources is $3,300 (a slash from the initial $7,000).

The sending out of these volunteers were not legalized because Minister of Foreign affairs spokesman, Francisca Omayuli, totally rebuffed the act of Nigerians being "recruited as mercenaries".

At this junction, I don't know if I support the decision or not given the conflicting factors. First the maltreatment and then the response of Nigerians (which appears positive). I'd like to say I'm proud of the few who answered that call whatever their reason maybe, but I'm still worried.

As Buhari's dreadful regime comes to a close, I'm now more aware of the dangers we face with bad leadership.

What are your thoughts? Kindly leave comments.

THANKS FOR READING, SAYONARA!