By Asunmogejo Yusuf Olawale
Indeed from the powerful words of the great Mahatma Gandhi; “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
This brings us to the ‘two-edged’ event that saw the demolition of Asher Hotel in Barbara Kaduna South, Kaduna State. Why Asher Hotel Demolition? – What might have triggered this strong action?
A simple defense fact by the Kaduna State government says; ‘we want to salvage the sanctity of Kaduna’. What a big statement to decipher! The Kaduna State Government is after the treasure of its communities; Asher Hotel is after the loss of its facility!
From a general perspective, it is assumed that the society should be more concerned about protecting the treasure of its values and cultures irrespective of the loss that come with it. Our moral progress as a community can only be elevated if animals are treated like such. Why a sex party in a religious-centered society?
Amidst the twists and turns that washed out the front pages of local News stations in Kaduna, the owner, Mrs. Aisha Yakubu has come out to deny the allegations peddled against her as regards her consent to the sex party fliers flying the city centre. She however claimed she had no hand in the whole event – a mischievous plot to defame her personality; according to her.
Without belabouring the trails behind the events, this article brings to light, the treasures of the event betwixt the loss recorded in the so-callled ‘Kaduna Sex Party Proposed Venue Demolition.’ What a negative news for a positive society!
The Nigerian culture frowns upon any act of indecency in any Nigerian society. We know how private and confaned any sexual act should be. Therefore as a government, I doubt if any government will relax and watch its sacred cultural heritage go into extinction.
One justification of these austerity measures by the Kaduna State government recounts the experiences documented in Senegal and Uganda in 1992 when there was a massive influx of sex tourists into their sacred communities.
Part of the measures taken to curtain this negative trend caused a massive loss to animals behind these vile scenes. And I can say from the standpoint of cultural respect, there is no sentiment about dealing with as done by Gov. Nasir El-Rufai.
From another standpoint of democratic propositions, the owner of the demolished facility has come out to allege that the Kaduna State Property Development Agency (KASUPDA) did not serve her any prior notice before crushing down her building. I wonder why she hasn’t given her any prior notice? – a case for a competent court of law to decide.
Irrespective of the above-mentioned standpoints, we should be more concerned about the effort to protect our culture values, norms and heritage. Modesty is the state of art in any Nigerian society and should not be compromised at any point if the need arises.
In light of this, this is a good standpoint on the part of the government.
Willy-nilly, it’s high time we retraced our wrong steps and invest in improving our moral and value system. This can only be achieved if a proper and direction-driven attitude is devoted to investing in our public institutions.
In conclusion, It should be remembered that for easy attainment of sustainable growth, value – one of the tripods upon which a sane society rest – should not be allowed to slip off.
Our family institutions should be strengthened, equipped, and given the right direction needed to achieve individual growth and societal development.
