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Saturday, September 29, 2012

Short Essay 40: Deportation of Nigerian Pilgrims

Deportation of Nigerian Pilgrims: The World is Teaching Us a Lesson Other nations will continue to teach Nigeria basic lessons in civilization and governance so long as its leaders fail to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring that rule of law is entrenched in our society. Three things have happened of recent in this regard. After the corrupt Nigerian judicial system gave a clean bill of health to James Ibori, a former state governor, a powerful adviser to former President Yar’adua and the biggest financier of the ruling PDP in 2007, British courts found him guilty of the same corruption charges and sent him straight to jail. Our judges should burry their heads in shame. Some Niger Delta youths that were on his payroll even threatened to attack British oil interests in the Niger Delta, proving further that Nigeria is a jungle where thieves and cannibals go about free and celebrated as leaders. South Africa refused some Nigerian passengers entry when it discovered that their claim to vaccination was false. When a Nigerian presents a yellow card at any airport in the world, the general perception is that it is false. And, truly, it is, except in few cases. Nigerians, as usual, complained. The third case is the recent deportation of 1226 Nigerian Muslim female pilgrims from Jeddah for the failure of each to comply with the requirement of the company of a muharram – a person who is prohibited for life under shariah law to marry the woman. Space is made on the visa form and card for the name of the muharram but Nigerian pilgrim officials always play “419” by writing false names on the card and presenting them to the Saudi embassy for approval. The embassy has no option but to issue the visa. When the female pilgrim arrives Jeddah, there would be nobody answering the false name that accompanies her. During the lesser hajj, female pilgrims concoct what is called "mijin visa", or visa husband, to get around the rule. This is just any man the woman picks among pilgrims in the trip. Nigerians! The Saudis have been overlooking this perfidy for years. This year they decided to put an end to the nonsense. Nigerians, again, complained. The President sent a delegation to plead with the Saudi authorities. No one cared to listen. In spite of the appeals, the pilgrims who were detained in a cage like kangaroos under subhuman conditions were eventually deported back to the jungle. Officials of the National Hajj Commission and the state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, like our corrupt judges, should burry their heads in shame. They have brought unnecessary hardship on the female pilgrims and disgraced the nation in no small measure. But they are not alone. They are just like numerous other Nigerian officials at various levels of government: nobody feels that it is imperative to apply rules. Their perception of office is that it is a shop for making profit. Against these officials should our anger be directed, not against the Kingdom that is simply applying its laws. This, however, I understand, is not the popular reaction of Nigerians to the crisis. Now that we have been hurt by the deportation, our officials will finally start to pay attention to the provision. But only now, after the damage is done to the pilgrims and to our image. The world has realized that the only way to get us know that laws are important in the management of any nation is to strictly apply them on us. If we have destroyed our country by turning away from rule of law, they are telling us that other nations are not that primitive. They are ready to teach us a lesson. The question is: Are we ready to learn? No, unless it becomes necessary, like when we go on pilgrimage or visit other countries. But once in Nigeria, we are happy to lead a life of the jungle where the strong flouts every rule and go Scot-free. No wonder, our security problem continue to increase by the day. I am sorry to say that the end of our desire to live primitively is not in sight, yet. Thank God, we are not the only homo sapiens inhabiting the planet. Other nations are ready not to allow us destroy it as we destroyed our country. Bauchi 29 September 2012

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree with your opinion sir

Anonymous said...

Importantly also to note is that most of those deported are between the age of 18-27

Anonymous said...

Another bitter piece of truth from Dr Tilde.Oh Nigerians!God loves us but we just refuse to love our own selves.May we change so that He changes our condition.

Hammadu Kakara said...

I agree with you Dr. Unless we do what is right, we will never get it right. Mohammed Bello.

Anonymous said...

ALHAMDULILLAH

Anonymous said...

A nice opinion dr Tilde, I have no option than to believe you. Pls when is La Vache yorghurt coming to Kano? SALEH YAMUSA

Anonymous said...

Yes DrTilde. And the earlier our leaders(or looters) learn this lesson and make corrections, the better will be the future of this great nation, Nigeria.

Anonymous said...

We have to respect holly land

Anonymous said...

This is a silly article.

kabara-dku said...

Dr, this time around kam fa I disagree with ur stand. First of all, the issue of Mahram is untenable. And not all countries that their female go on pilgrimage with Mahram. There's Saudi hypocrisy behind all this

Unknown said...

Saudi Kingdom: Muharam or Guarantor(Mijin Visa)?
The Saudi concept of Muharam is that of a guarantor that will ensure the female pilgrim leaves Saudi Kingdom after Haj for her homeland or anywhere . It also serve to ensure the Male too returned to his homeland or elsewhere. It has nothing to do with protecting morality. A lady from Borno was on the immigration formality queue near me, the immigration officer denied her exit and kept her passport with him pending when she will produce 'Umar' her Muharam( alias Mijin Visa) , who was still in Makka at that time; I asked her if she knows his whereabouts in Makka or his phone so as to call him to know if he is on his way, she had no idea and perhaps they did not even met or stayed in the same hotel .So the whole concept of a guarantor or muharam as the Saudis prefer to tag it in order to give it semblance of religious legitimacy, at best is a game of deception played out at entry and exit points, and thus useless for any morality protection purposes. The system put in place by our Pilgrims' authorities particularly during Hajj ensures the true concept of muharam. Men and women board planes using different doors or at least sit in different segments of the plane, stay in different hostels or hotels or at least in different floors,and in both Miina and Arafat, men and women stay in different tents; so morally we are not doing bad, pls enough of the holier- than- thou arrogant mentality of the Saudi establishment. The Saudis behaved so deplorably in the manner they meted out inhumane treatment to our female pilgrims.They can do worse things. But will they have dared to do such to some American or European female defence contractors or even pilgrims?

Rabiu Shamma said...

It is a pity that the pilgrims are made to go through this degrading experience but I don't agree with your opinion on this one. The two other incidences are not similar to this.

Aliyu Zubairu said...

Sir, you have said it all...Corruption is destroying my Country. Who will save Nigeria???

Aliyu Zubairu said...

Sir, you have said it all....Corruption is destroying my Country....Who will save Nigeria??

Anonymous said...

This is just the truth....

Ismail Mai Gombaawa said...

Allah shi kyauta

DR. S A ZAILANI said...

ALLAH WILL BLESS YOU FOR TELLING THE TRUTH. HOPE THE NIGERIANS WILL LEARN THEIR LESSONS FROM THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT SINCE WE REFUSED TO LEARNT FROM DPREVIOUS ONES. IDAN KUNNE YA JI JIKI YA TSIRA.

NUHU GIDADO said...

I agree & truly subscribe to your view Doctor. Wanda bai ji bari ba, ya ji ho ho!

Unknown said...

In a society where people think that they are smart even against God. This society is no more different than animal society. Nigerians do not have a simple rational brain that differentiate animal from human. So, jungle is the best description of this country. Dr. Tilde do you know that only Nigerians passport that has no data base to show at any airports and the passport is called "e-passport"

Anonymous said...

Thats true sir. Shame on our officials.

Zahraddeen Abdullahi said...

....And if the VP really knew what he was doing he would never have presented himself in the delegation that sought to what, get revenge on the Saudis? Smh!
Too many of the people ruling this country are a joke!

Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde said...

Yaqub Aliero Allah ya sa yaza lesson to us.
13 hours ago · Unlike · 1

Aliyu Yahya If this is a lesson,...
13 hours ago · Like

Auwal Gambo Ya'u A bitter truth Dr. May Allah help and guide us ameen.
13 hours ago · Like

Murtala I. Abdullahi When will Nigeria eve take lesson?
13 hours ago · Like

Murtala I. Abdullahi It is hoped that Nigeria will this time around learn a lesson
13 hours ago · Like

Aliu Mamman 9jrins is high time 2 now wake up and stand as a nation there is no 2ways about it or we cont 2 face dissapmnt even in African nation where we call ourself gaint
13 hours ago · Like

Abubakar Waya A lesson? Locking up Women in a Cold room and refusing to allow even the Ambassador to visit them? I would say the Saudis over steped their bound!
12 hours ago · Like

Awal Abdulkadir Aliyu Just this morning i was locked in another infuriating argument over this issue.
Our government has succeeded in yet another disinformation galore. Its shocking how gullible Nigerians can be. To remotely suggest the Saudi authorities erred in this matter is plain selfish.
The first time i heard about this, i was shocked that Nigerian hajj officials and even some prominent Nigerians could feign anger, knowing fully well it was standing law, that all intending female pilgrims MUST provide a muharram!! I watched the pathetic senate charade on telly. I was sick to my stomach over the absurdity and sheer waste of time on the issue. We were not saving face, but creating an unnecessary attention. Now the whole world understands our governments complicity in this matter. They already know, for a fact, how we are not able to enforce some basic laws, or better still, how we deliberately choose to ignore these laws.
So to say they over stepped their bounds, is a tad mayopic on our part.
12 hours ago via mobile · Edited · Like · 2

Abubakar Sadiq Suleiman This is one of bitter side of lawlessness. When Gen. Buhari introduced W.A.I. with the aim of cleansing the Nigerian society selfish people said he was too wicked, so we got IBB who let every one loose & today we are paying the price.
12 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1

Abubakar Aboki Gaskiya tana daci. Gwanda hakan!
12 hours ago via mobile · Like

Abubakar Waya You are right in ur anger @Awal; but then we have heard the Ulama in Nigeria saying that according to the Maliki school of thought (almost all Nigerian Muslims follow it), it is ok for women to attend the Hajj in a group of trusted officials. Yes, the offcials might have eered, but the treatment by the Saudis of our Ladies, AS COMMON CRIMINALS must be condemned. I heard a man on BBC Hausa who said he had to come back with his wife as the Saudis said she was not his wife!
12 hours ago · Like · 1

Mohammed Bello One Hundred Percent on spot!
11 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1

Shittu Fowora Well if we continue to get bashed and constantly humiliated, we'll know then that the world is treating us like leprosy because by our intrinsic peculiarity, we may be unfit to live with 'sane humans'
11 hours ago · Like

Abubakar Aboki @Waya. I don't believe the exists if does may be something is wrong from his side. A dai bincika.
11 hours ago via mobile · Like

Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde said...


Mohammed Bello One Hundred Percent on spot!
11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 2

Shittu Fowora Well if we continue to get bashed and constantly humiliated, we'll know then that the world is treating us like leprosy because by our intrinsic peculiarity, we may be unfit to live with 'sane humans'
11 hours ago · Like

Abubakar Aboki @Waya. I don't believe the exists if does may be something is wrong from his side. A dai bincika.
11 hours ago via mobile · Like

Idris Muhammad Sir, u have 2 warn Goerge O Daniel 4 cuting portion of ur write up and repost to his wall, to give different meaning from original.
10 hours ago · Like

Idris Muhammad Sir u have to warn Goerge O Daniel , 4 cuting portion of u post and repost to his wall, which automatically gives different meaning from the original script.
10 hours ago · Like

Shittu Fowora @ Idris Muhammad...Must everything be "warnings" and 'threats'.Why cant he appeal or admonish 'call to order'? Nawa 4u sef.
10 hours ago · Like

Muhammad Lawal Bello I was with my wife for last year's Hajj. Surprisingly,a different and entirely unrelated person was put as her Muharram in disregard to what i wrote. And more disgusting,that was exactly the experience of numerous female pilgrims.
10 hours ago · Like

Yusuf Musa Jammaje Deportation or no deportation,an inresponsible nation we are,& so is our leaders.wth due honor and all sense of apology,i dont know who to exonorate!Such policies as: The WAI,WAI' C,NATIONAL REORIENTATION,RE BRANDING NIGERIA or ADAIDAITA SAHU of 'MIS' all need be revisited and be properly implimented.perhaps the 'wuju - wuju'of 'GRMK' wil also be an advantage if at all we want the world commuinity to have a 2nd look at us as a responsible nation.
10 hours ago via mobile · Like

Idris Muhammad @ shittu , when some body decided to ternishe ur image by cutting portion of ur script ,in order to give it urgly meaning , delebrately. And not 4 the first time. Do u apeal Mr right ?
10 hours ago · Like

Dahiru Abdulkadir Haka Allah ya nufa.
10 hours ago · Like

Dahiru Abdulkadir Sir,Who is to be blame?NAHCON OR SAUDI GOVT ?MAY ALLAH SWA IN HIS INFINATE MERCY HELP THE NEEDY.
9 hours ago · Like

Nasir Abubakar I wonder how Nigerian leaders did the irregularities and insist that they are regular. Unfortunately people who suppose to tell them trust like religious leaders and traditional ru...See More
9 hours ago via mobile · Like

Abubakar Tukur I hope we will learn a lesson from this,da muguwar rawa gara kin tashi.

Alyasa'a Hassan said...

Allah yasa ya zamo darasi. But I think our leaders are not ready to learn. I heard it over the news that they have taking the issue to New York seeking American intervention.

Alyasa'a Hassan said...

Ina fata wannan ya zame darasi ga kasa ta Najeriya, but unfortunately our leaders are not yet ready to learn. They are not even in a position to learn. I heard it over the news that they have taken the issue to New York seeking America's intervention in the matter. America with religion? Hmm.

Anonymous said...

Dear Dr. Tilde, Nigerians can never learn lessons because they only react when things happen. As for the Government officials, Obasanjo made an accurate reflection on them when he said most of them in Senate and politics are thugs, rogues and criminals. There are too many things wrong with Nigeria, its Government and its citizens. I repeat, no Nigerian is capable of making Nigeria work now or in the future. The only hope is to outsource our country's leadership to people like China or USA, otherwise, we would still be making this noise in 100 years. We are the worst collection of humans on earth and that is the root cause of our problems from North to South!

Anonymous said...

Barakallah for this post. I wish our pessimistic tendencies will go away so that we see the truth for what it is.

Anonymous said...

I am really surprised at some of our comments. Dr Tilde has written his mind on the state of hopelessness in our country and how we don't have any leadership to look up to as a people. I think we should pounder on that. The Saudi hypocrisy is known to the whole world. If the Saudis care about muslim and morality, they should help the muslim world free Palestinians from Jewish and American occupation. We have failed as a nation and its a shame

Anonymous said...

It served us good. The leadership of Hajj Commission proved their competences therefore they should all resigned. They caused lots of embarrassment and humiliations to our female pilgrims and disgraced the whole nation. Too bad for those who cut corners!

sada said...

Well said Dr, in my opinion, they have been saved from performing an act of worship that might not have been accepted by Allah (SA). Allah knows best

Anonymous said...

The more we see the less we understand. There is more than the eyes can see. SA is up to something better known to them. does it mean it only Nigerians that have foul this regulation. I do not think so>

Anonymous said...

I traveled to many countries and their people use to say WOW Nigeria?! Corruption!