Jerusalem 2024: "Ogun agbotele kii pa aro"

By Adeniyi Adekola

The yoruba rendition of 'to be forewarned is to be foreharmed' is stated as 'ogun agbotele kii pa aro' and this is very intriguing at this point in our nation Nigeria! 

If a war that in less than a year has claimed over 37,000 lives and wounded almost 83,000, One can not but wonder what the excitement is for our leaders to have insisted on embarking on the annual pilgrimage to the Christians' holy sites in Israel. 

Since the Hamas/Israel war broke out on 7th October, 2023; it has become necessary for any right thinking individual and government to consider Israel a not-safe zone especially for helpless entities like Nigerian pilgrims who would have to be on their knees before rescue response could come from home.

it is so worrisome therefore to hear Nigerian Pilgrims Commission officials say they have been to Israel's holy sites and they are declared safe for pilgrimage. From a business perspective, it's easier to ignore danger, manage risks than say the realities but we will not all have our thinking so influenced. In order words, are we expecting the business people in Israel to tell us that their places of doing business are not safe? No responsible government would cherish sincerity above nationhood. Right in the middle of a war, governments would still tell you everywhere is safe! Did Israel expect Hamas would strike the night they did? One thousands two hundred souls of Israelis fizzled out. 

We can not continue to lead as like irresponsible and careless; having no regard for the citizens lives. At times, I wonder if the principle of increased death rate and reduced birth rate which is one of the ways to control inflation is what's actually playing out from our leaders. 

May I ask, what's  the recommendation of the National Security Adviser and the likes on pilgrimage to this war zone? Also, what's the public opinion about government funded pilgrimage, especially to war prone Israel now? The same Israel whose citizens hardly sleep with their two eyes closed.

Above all, what's the economic import of pilgrimage to any country that the government keeps funding their cronies leisure and pleasure?

My take is, if anyone thinks Israel is safe, they should use their personal money and embark on the baseless adventure!