The biblical story of the 'Good Samaritan' has always been enthralling. The single act of kindness shown by that man from Samaria thousands of years ago has been a source of inspiration to many.
For those not familiar with the story, it was one of Jesus' parables. A traveler was mugged, beaten up mercilessly and left bleeding by the roadside. Many people passed by: the righteous, the religious, the wealthy....and no one cared. Then came the Samaritan who showed compassion, took the bleeding man to the inn to be cleaned, treated and nourished.
What makes the story so unique and didactic is the nature of the man who stopped to help. He was a Samaritan! Simply put, he was a commoner, a nobody, according to the norms of his day! He was looked down upon; was probably poor and or wretched too. But he stopped, and showed compassion! How lovely!
Our nation is in shambles. The politicians have beaten the country so mercilessly and left it bleeding profusely. Alas, the nation would die if the bleeding is not stopped! The politicians, despots and some religious bigots have mugged the country for years! From planting the seeds of fear and distrust in the masses, instigating disturbances and violence, to sponsoring the militants, the list of Nigeria's wounds is endless! And while the wars rage, and the masses fight for crumbs thrown at them, those instigators are busy stashing their loots in foreign and local banks! They have shown the nation no compassion!
Again Nigerian politicians have choked the nation; thrashed her; smothered her; would not let her heal before inflicting more wounds on her. To ensure she continues hurting, the politicians continually add salt to her wounds! Nigeria has been milked to the bones and abandoned to die! And they have not shown her any mercy!
But wait, the tide is turning! The 'good Samaritans' of Nigeria have stopped by to help her. Ordinary men and women from every tribe and religion, and all the nooks and crannies of the land, have arisen with one voice to work to salvage the country. The voice of the people is said to be the voice of God! So with one accord, the great Nigerians, men and women who have compassion, are saying enough to the beatings; enough to endemic corruption; enough to religious and all senseless killings; enough to violence[ enough to bad governance; enough to lack of accountability and lawlessness; enough to deprivation and starvation, enough ...enough...oh...enough!
Because the wounds are deep to the bones, they will take time to heal. Patience is therefore needed. Since the country is already anemic and lethargic, tender loving care is also recommended. The good Nigerians, the good Samaritans of our day, who have compassion, have risen and are clamoring for change! They are ready to reclaim what is theirs, painstakingly pick up the shattered pieces, and give the country the nourishment she needs to help her to learn to sit, stand and walk again.
Yes, the great Nigerians, the patriots, ordinary men and women, taxi-drivers, the unemployed, teachers, laborers, messengers, clerks, students, civil servants, and all peace-lovers are joining hands to take care of Nigeria and stop her from bleeding to death! How awesome!
