Nigeria and America: Two flood disasters and how their citizens reacted

Photo left: In Nigeria, Benue state – an area with a history of flooding, the storm took the population by surprise, submerging the region with heavy flooding, causing deaths and property-damages. In Houston, Texas (right) for instance, Hurricane Harvey ravaged thousands of victims in just four days, dumping more than 40 inches of rain with thunder, earth-shattering wild wind, and catastrophic flooding.

We must compare the citizens too, on how Americans were in the Social Media delivering safety, and Nigerian masses were on Facebook watching European Soccer.

By Anthony Obi Ogbo

Between Nigeria and the United States, in August, two major flood disasters raged a similar havoc. The storms were not on the same Consequently, in Nigeria, Benue state – an area with a history of flooding, the storm took the population by surprise, submerging the region with heavy flooding, causing deaths and property-damages. Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari said the flooding displaced more than 100,000 people. Authorities also signaled the possibility of diseases and food scarcity.

As usual, Nigerians in the social media were not happy with their government because, according to the information they shared and tagged around, the United States Vice President visited the disaster areas and helped victims to remove debris, whereas Nigeria’s Vice President visited his flood victims and walked on a red –carpet. In fact, some posts or comments made fun of this moment, comparing photos of the U.S. Vice President and the Nigeria’s Vice President as each visited their country’s flood areas. They quickly turned these disasters into some horrific political banter, with the least inclination that these were a nightmare moments.

Unfortunately, and most inconsiderately, these Nigerians may have also totally forgotten their responsibilities as citizens in times of adversity. They had spent their time watching and comparing political leaders who often visit disaster sites for media photo opportunities but snubbed their civic responsibilities as citizens, and their characteristics as human beings. Now that the storms in Texas, US, and Benue State – Nigeria are over, we must not just compare or analyze how leaders took photos at the disaster sites, but also, how the masses in both countries reacted.

Before and During Hurricane Harvey, Americans took to the social media sharing every available information about weather forecast; highlighting projected danger areas, and tracking updates on storm timelines. In fact, all the key information we received from the newsroom, such as how and where to purchase household needs, and significant help and rescue phone numbers came through citizens. During Harvey, Wassaps and Twitters were kept busy with folks communicating safety and sharing information about which areas are flooded and where to get help. Politics was set aside, for even Donald Trump hugged Immigrants and took selfies with folks he found strange.

So how did the Nigerians react during the terrible flood in Benue State? Most of them had no idea there was a flood. In the Facebook, news clips about this disaster were ignored while most Nigerians were busy having fun with political subjects unconnected with their basic needs. After this flood disaster, when photos of this horrific event eventually made it to the network, Nigerians then saw an opportunity to argue politics and bash a governance system they (Voters) inspired.

It makes sense to compare how America and Nigeria leaders respectively visited their flood disaster areas. It would be most appropriate and fair also to examine how citizens reacted to these events; how they assisted in communicating care and compassion. We must compare the citizens, on how Americans were in the Social Media delivering safety, and Nigerian masses were on Facebook watching European Soccer. We must also share how the Americans utilized the social media applications to secure and share rescue possibilities, whereas Nigerians were on Social media tagging, sharing, and insensitively jeering their system with photos of their disaster areas.

The worst thing that could happen to a country might not just be bad leadership, but also an inability of the masses to articulate their core responsibilities as good citizens. In Nigeria, the voting block is polarized with strange idiosyncrasies. They would tell you everything about European soccer but have no damn idea about how a specific candidacy or policy would affect their livelihoods. In most cases, their thoughts and actions about public policies are bone out of self-centeredness, ethnic connectivity, and cruelty. A lack of interest in matters of public policies explains why they have been behind in moving their political process; and why they have been grounded in the same system with the same leaders for decades.

Dr. Anthony Ogbo is the Publisher/Editor International Guardian News and Strategic Advisor, Center of Excellence, Consumer Arts and Sciences at the Houston Community College. Direct Contact >>>

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