Importing LB’s paradise II

Continued from last week

‘And the worst by far is when driving from the Federal Capital through Kaduna to other places. The filth on the road from those towns and villages in Niger State is simply appalling. Both by the road side and in the middle of the dual carriageway, the story is the same. I feel amazed that politicians of all rankings will allow their billboards to be erected on top of such eyesores without feeling the need to have the place cleared. I often wonder, how do they feel, seeing their faces smiling to the world from atop such rubbish?’ I queried.

‘That’s true Mummy, I recall your eternal complains whenever we drove on that road on our way to Kano, and I often wonder why you bother looking out. I mean in these days of smart phones, you can take yourself anywhere in the world, on that seat, without having to bother about the reality around you. But after what you’ve just said about traveling as a youngster and looking out at the scenery, I understand why it matters to you when the road side scene is filthy.’ Little Bint replied.

‘Thanks for reminding me LB, I completely forgot that I was talking to a digital age millennial, whose life revolves around the mobile phone. In my days the best companion a traveler can have are a very good book or a lovely scenery. They take away the boredom and sometimes the discomfort of long journeys. But today, thanks to our dirty ways, the only pleasurable option, apart from a pleasant human being, is a captivating book. The environment is nothing to look at. And you know one thing I find very curious, is the way foreigners who come from clean, developed societies don’t seem to care about our dirty environments. I mean you see them all over the place, meddling in agriculture, in immunization, in our politics and culture but never in helping us keep our environments clean. Is it that they derive a certain joy in knowing that having poor sanitation habits shows we are inferior to them in some ways?’ I asked.

‘No please don’t resort to conspiracy theories Mummy. Maybe they just feel our environment is our concern so they keep away from it and learn to tolerate the dirt when they are with us.’ LB countered.

‘But why do they involve themselves in the other things I mentionedif that is so? Surely they are also solely our concern. What’s the attraction in, say immunization, when you won’t teach people to prevent the disease by keeping their homes and bodies clean? I still think these foreigners are not sincerely here to help us, they have their own hidden agendas, otherwise they will insist on making our countries as clean as theirs, or at least somewhere close; just so that they too can live and work comfortably among us. But, who knows, maybe if they do that, they won’t give people like  Trump the chance to call our nations shitholes. I mean then we will be the same, and our health status will improve so much they won’t be coming to sell their drugs and other therapies in order to treat us. I think that’s the crux of the matter really.’ I conclusion.

‘That’s all in the realm of speculation Mother’ she resumed her cheeky ways, with a smile. ‘Frankly I think even if there is some truth in what you said, keeping our and environments clean and healthy is our responsibility. We must not expect any foreigners from developed nations to make us do it.’ She added.

‘ But you missed the point I was making LB. What I said was I wonder why they are tolerating the dirt that’s so upsetting to seem of us. If they go to a lot of trouble to keep their towns and cities clean and attractive, why can’t they advice our leaders to prioritize environmental hygiene, especially since our leaders obviously can’t see the need to do so on their own? But yes you are right, keeping our environments clean is our responsibility,  and it is why you and I must brainstorm on the best way to import this little paradise that you live in back home. I mean we have to take the initiative to fight for clean environments since our authorities don’t see the need to.’ I declared.

‘ That’s true Mummy. Now back to my earlier question, what can we do to make sure our towns and cities are as lovely as the ones we see and admire abroad?’ LB asked.

‘We will first of all write to the relevant government ministries and campaign for a return to serious monthly sanitation exercise, right now people only stay home to sleep, on such days. Then they must embark on radio and TV as well as social media campaigns advocating environmental hygiene. And we must ensure that the campaign is carried over to primary and secondary schools so that pupils and students will imbibe the culture of  keeping their bodies and homes clean without being forced. Then we must get clerics to preach from the pulpit that dirt has no place in any religion and that cleanliness is part of faith, it is next to godliness. In fact, they need to embark on a concerted reorientation campaign, on this issue, such that people will willingly accept not to tolerate dirt in any way, shape or form.

And who knows, if we succeed, maybe by the time you come home for the holidays, you won’t even recognize the country you left earlier. Our towns and cities will look so clean you’d think we actually imported the clean paradise you have here back home.’ I joked.

‘I hope so Mummy. I certainly hope and pray so.’ She answered smiling her enchanting, inherited from Tahir smile.