REJOINDER: Fani-Kayode, and Kemi Badenoch by Mohammed Doka -By Femi Amosun

The recently published piece by Dr. Olusola Oni has generated some nauseating and unpleasant responses, specifically from one Mohammed Bello Doka, a so-called Blogger.

As an authentic Omo Yoruba, and by extension a Nigerian, and UK resident any issues concerning our culture, tradition and heritage should not be handled lightly because of the perceived sensitivity. So when a “Blogger” has the temerity to display low IQ and hollow self-serving opinions, such a person should be called out. I don’t know much about Mohammed Doka’s culture, but in Yoruba culture we do not insult our elders. We the Yorubas will not take lecture from a Fulani blogger who is naturally offensive and lacks basic propriety.

Instead of castigating Dr. Oni’s article, we should be grateful that the Gentleman i.e.; Omoluabi came out to confirm the identity of Kemi Badenoch (Adegoke) parents. This will eliminate any misconception about Kemi Badenoch’s real identity in the context of Yoruba heritage. Whether she accepts, or recognizes, her Yoruba heritage is a matter for her conscience.

In my teen years, l also walked a mile to fetch water until the State Water Corporation finally installed a water supply pipeline (‘tap water’) in the locality. At my boarding school in the City of Ibadan, as part of the doctrine we were compelled to wash our school uniform and polish our shoes. From time to time, each student had to cut (using Ojagba, a loosely-shaped cutlass, under supervision) an allocated portion of the field grass in the School compound and dormitory surroundings. In addition to the School academic curriculum, small-scale farming was also introduced and we were enthused to participate and learn how to grow some crops and vegetables. As if to inculcate discipline in us, the senior Boarding House Master was in-charge of Students’ Pocket money and you cannot spend one Naira without his approval. All these rudimentary training, discipline and the vital education equipped and adequately prepared me for the lifelong journey till date. So Kemi Badenoch (Adegoke) description of Nigeria as a “living hell”; a place where she had to “walk one mile to get running water”; “Colonialism was a force for good” etc. are all nothing more than a deliberate, overarching, unmindful, careless and thoughtless public rhetoric. Perhaps she is consciously, and actively, seeking to support all the negative narratives about Nigeria and African people. In this context, Africa may be at the mercy of other Continental domination. Such are the profound implications of her negative public comments against Nigeria and Africa. It will ultimately lead to more disadvantageous policies against Africa and Africans.

It is highly disconcerting that a Nigerian official, particularly the NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa will deliberately attempt to make contact with a UK Opposition Party Leader without following the due process. As a former Resident in the UK, Dabiri-Erewa should know that there are solid processes and protocols in place to prevent, and checkmate, any undue interference in the UK political process and decisions. Even Nigerian-British born cannot overturn the long-established practice. Let’s also inform Dabiri-Erewa that Kemi is walking on a tightrope and she’ll be closely watched, monitored, and scrutinized. In essence, she may be reluctant to engage with a country she tagged “ran away from”. If the “once-almighty” Boris Johnson can be brought down by partying scandal, then Kemi may just be a distant dream of a Black person becoming a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. So Dabiri-Erewa’s move should have been initiated through the Nigerian High Commission in London and the British Embassy in Nigeria. That is the established principle. All the doomsday commentators know this fact.

The long history of the transatlantic slavery cannot be forgotten, or dismissed simply as belonging to the past. The slavery was an appalling evil perpetrated against African people. Many of the UK leading Universities and Public Institutions largely profited from the Slavery. Though the British may appear to be paying some form of reparations through different Schemes and specific Programmes to help our country, the British still owe the Yoruba specific debt that must be settled.

In conclusion, Mohammed Bello Doka’s lengthy glorification, regurgitating or recitation, of Femi Fani-Kayode biography and his family history is wholly unnecessary. At what point do you begin to apply intelligence and separate sentiment from facts? Dr. Oni’s submission about the Fani-Kayodes is well-documented and far from “disparage the memory and legacy” of Fani-Kayode. Femi Fani-Kayode is widely known for his constant exhibition of entitlement mentality. Doka should also know that the world has gone beyond glorifying a family or Individual name. Therefore, Doka’s response to Dr. Oni’s article is an unclever attempt to change the narratives about Fani-Kayode and his background. The Bible unambiguously states “For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the sins of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations (Deuteronomy 5:9-10).

It is equally pertinent, to educate Mohammed Doka, the issues at stake are greater than one family or personality flimflam.

Femi Amosun is a Business Analyst and Financial specialist. He writes from London, United Kingdom.

Tag: Dr. Olusola Oni, Femi Amosun, Fani-Kayode, Kemi Badenoch, Mohammed Doka