Before We Crucify Oprah Winfrey

 

I have been very reluctant in writing this article, while observing how Nigerians react to the report of identity theft and other fraudulent practices among Nigerians as reported by the TV show personality, Oprah Winfrey. Having read some stories by Nigerians on the issue indicating that Oprah is being biased towards Nigerians, and Nigeria, I find it necessary to add my little voice without expressing any prejudice on the matter.

 

I am not holding brief for the journalist, but my main concern here is based on what Oprah said which were facts that Nigerians can not dispute, and that same were being reported by other media outlets. It should be noted that Oprah is a defender of the masses, be they white or black, and she has been doing this for years. It is my candid opinion that she did not mean to castigate Nigerians because she does not like their guts. She has aired human angle stories including that of identity theft involving American conmen on her show. And she has been reasonably objective in her stories.

 

Truth can be bitter, but if we are ready to swallow, and take it in good faith, our society will be better for it. Rather than try to defend the indefensible, our focus should be on how to expose the fraudsters and help to bring them to justice. It is not that Americans don’t engage in these nefarious activities like their Nigerian counterparts, but they are not defended in any way by the American media and people. Americans are not saints, but American society would rather expose their own as oppose to putting up undue and unsolicited defense.

 

If Nigerian media houses so desire, they can pull their resources together and do stories about American fraudsters and run them in Nigeria. No amount would be too much to expend on that venture if the objective is to report and expose the ugly side of American society to the Nigerian audience. Since the world is a global village, and if the request for such endeavor is channeled through proper official route, there should be no problem obtaining clearance from the relevant American authorities.

 

If Nigerians are truly worried about Nigerian image abroad, they ought to exhibit consistency in condemning fraudulent individuals who rub the country’s name in the mud. To pronounce Nigerians as decent people is saying the obvious, but the bad ones are putting the generalization in jeopardy if they continue their activities, just like their counterparts all over the globe.

 

The victims of these crimes share similarities in respect of intention with their Nigerian fraudsters since they intend to reap where they didn’t sow. It is only when they meet their match fraud for fraud that we hear about their inevitable loss. However, it’s improper, immoral and uncharitable to lend any form of defense in favor of perpetrators of these anti-social activities based on ones nationality, race or skin color.

 

Crime owes no allegiance to any country since we have criminals from all corners of the world. Criminals are criminals irrespective of where they originate from, and they should be condemned by all right thinking people with no undue references to who said what against whose interest. My advice to Nigerians is to focus attention on the criminals within, and show genuine commitments towards ensuring that such activities that potentially present Nigeria to the likes of CNN, ABC and Oprah Winfrey as a nation of fraudsters are drastically reduced to the bearest minimum.

 

The Nigerian authorities have enormous responsibilities in letting the outside world see appropriate actions being taken within the confines of the law as applicable to such crimes. Existing laws could be strengthened and widened to accommodate stricter measures that serve as deterrent to would-be fraudsters and their collaborators both at home and abroad.

 

Femi Sobowale

August 11, 2007