Ndokeh,
You got some nerve to share this gibberish with us here. I'm not an intellectual but if I were one, here's my friggin response. No. First we would like you to attach the name of the author to the editorial unless of course you are the author. Lemme know lemme know.
Haruna. Who does she think she is??? I mean the author!! I love you Ndokeh. God forbid I try to hold brief for Kukeh but I have some ideas to share with this person.
-----Original Message-----
From: pancmbai <[log in to unmask]>
To: GAMBIA-L <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wed, Oct 20, 2010 12:36 pm
Subject: Gambia: Editorial: Gambian Intellectuals Where Do You Stand? Editorial:=?Windows-1252?Q?=A0_?=Gambian Intellectuals Where Do You Stand?
Gambia: Editorial: Gambian Intellectuals Where Do You Stand?
Editorial: Gambian Intellectuals Where Do You Stand?
For so long Gambia’s elite population, known here in Banjul as ( intellectuals)
both at home, and abroad have been blaming the status quo for virtually almost
all the social, and political ills that had taken place under Jammeh’s watch.
Some cannot hide their “guilt” to a point that they have to shift the blame to
the system in a bid to win public confidence. This is the height of
intellectual hypocrisy, and dishonesty to say the least.
While some of the critics have been an active “alibi” to some of the very
societal ills that we all lament as a nation, some tend to be over carried by
the fray—thus clouding their honest judgment on issues pertaining to one’s
duties, and responsibilities as a citizen of a given country.
During the early days of the July 22nd coup, that saw the disgraceful
departure of the 30 year PPP rule, the former military rulers under the
leadership of President Yahya Jammeh extended an open invitation to the
country’s “honest” elites both home, and abroad to come join his regime to
develop the nation. Some responded with ulterior motives, while others snubbed
Jammeh’s invitation.
Mr. Jammeh emerged as Gambia’s President with barely an impressive High School
Diploma. This to some extent brought him to the chopping board of some of our
pompous elites, who thought that the wrong person is presiding over the affairs
of the state. They tend to underestimate Jammeh because of his lack of higher
education.
Generally speaking, many Africans are of the view that without a recognized
Western degree, one cannot effectively lead a nation. In short, leaders are
judged based on how many degrees they bagged, and their family background. This
is a deep rooted societal belief in many parts of Africa, including The Gambia.
Intellectuals who aligned themselves to such school of thought, or philosophy
often disrespect their leaders. They treat them with contempt to a point—that
they don’t feel answerable to the Government that appointed them. That’s how
they often found themselves engulfed into power abuse, official corruption, and
nepotism. They believe that they can perpetrate graft without the unlettered
leader(s) knowing. Many a time they are caught red-handed by anti graft police.
Admitted, Africa’s underdevelopment could be largely attributable to bad
governance, gross rights abuses, tyranny, and lawlessness. But in most cases,
the elite population also served as an accomplice to the growing menace. The
Gambia is a classical example, where the majority of the intellectual population
has remained aloof all this while. Some aligned themselves with the status quo,
just for the sake of financial aggrandizement, while others had given their back
to their home country The Gambia, to the expense of bagging highly paid Western
jobs. Some have been forced to stay overseas due to political reasons. There
are varying factors responsible for the problem of brain drain in Africa.
The main purpose of acquiring higher education is to be able to effectively
contribute to a given society. One does not need to work for a government to
contribute his, or her quota in nation building. There are different ways that
one could serve his country—without becoming a disservice to his or her people.
Writing educational civic materials, setting up skill training centers, radio
talk host show, farming, teaching, just to name a few.
In order for Gambia’s elite population to win the trust, and respect of our
people, they must humble themselves. They must treat our people with respect,
and humility. Forget about how many degrees you bagged in the Americas, England,
and elsewhere around the world when relating with the poor farmer in Basse.
After all, education without discipline, sense of national heritage, and
responsibility to a given society is counterproductive.
Our intellectuals should depart from the culture of Africa being “indebted” to
them. Africa do not owe you a dime. Instead, they owe it to our people—for
without the moral support of our benevolent parents; they wouldn’t have achieved
what they bragged to have attained today.
While, we do not want to generalize the theme of this editorial, it is
imperative to note that there are decent, honest, and patriotic Gambian elites,
who maintained strong ties with Africa, including The Gambia. This is evident on
their active engagement on the ailing democratic process. They speak their mind
on issues without prejudice.
Of late, we have witnessed some half-baked so called intellectuals hiding in the
name of reconciling with President Jammeh to antagonize innocent folks
associated with the opposition overseas. They displayed their CVS both online,
and offline like a prostitute trying to woe a potential client. These are
characters destroying The Gambia today. They pretend to be supporters, or
sympathizers of the status quo, but in reality they are worst than the very
people they are trying mortgage online to secure their own personal agendas.
The unsuspecting President Jammeh often fall victim of such “unquestionable”
characters, who want to have it in both ways. Some even lied about their
qualifications, and past job responsibilities in the United States, England, and
elsewhere overseas. They go home with an agenda. These are the type of people
Jammeh needs to watch. They can sell their own soul for money, position, and
fame.
Today, what should be the pre-occupation of our so called intellectuals is about
Gambia’s future, and not how much wealth they could amass if availed with a
Government job. They should be able to engage Mr. Jammeh into a mature, and
thought provoking debate to shape the affairs of this country, we called The
Gambia without ulterior motives.
We do not want to see a replica of what happened in Freetown, and Liberia,
where intellectuals congregate to loot their ailing coffers. Corruption breeds
instability. Gambian intellectuals where do you stand? Only God knows! Greed,
selfishness, and egoism is retarding the continent’s development. One Gambia,
one nation, one people. Forward with The Gambia, backwards never. It is time
for our intellectuals to come out from the closet.
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 (Archive on Monday, February 28, 2011)
Posted by PNMBAI Contributed by PNMBAI
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