By ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

I once had a chat with an African-American friend who said, “My stay in Nigeria exposed Nigerians that they are indiscipline to duty.”

That American statement may be holding water after one Jnr. Pope, a former Nollywood actor drowned in a river at Anambra State where they went through to shoot a video produced by one Adanma Luke in Asaba, Delta State.

Adanma has been called out for not providing live jackets for her crew members knowing that they were filming within riverbank. Hardly has anyone blamed the sailors whose trade always deals with the water for not having live jackets.

The problem was not with Adanma but with Nigerians. You can remember vividly when the Federal Road Safety Corps Nigeria made a rule or mandated Nigerians using “okada” to always wear helmet. That singular road safety measure pissed majority of Nigerians who believed “it is not my portion” off. Hardly did any wore the helmet. Flippancy excuses that the okada owners ritualized the passengers’ helmets to, people contacted health issues wearing the helmets, ensued. That safety measure died unhappy death till date.

It'd be Imperatively stated that bigmanism is the bane of most Nigerians. They feel better on bike, in cars not putting on safety measures. You see someone driving and the person is okay without a seatbelt. If not that aircraft mandate the use of seatbelts, Nigerians would be better without them.

Before anyone crucifies Adanma, it is okay to remind the The Actors Guild of Nigeria that this was not the first time they have shot around riverbank. As an organization, what safety measures did the body personally provide for its members? Not even insurance. Not even computation of when this or that film would be shot, and the actors lined up to participate in them.

Nigerians have to be discipline to duty, not live above life, but take every humane government agencies’ directive towards safety measures, not feel “it is not my portion.” Nigerians must understand when reality shows up and stop acting on emotions. They can achieve this by coming down from their high horse and be disciplined to duty.

•Odimegwu Onwumere

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