IN every human society, narratives are especially powerful in forming people’s beliefs, opinions and behaviours. And we do this through the kind of story we tell people – within the family, school and the community at large. When this happens, people become emotionally engaged, are less likely to critically evaluate facts and are more open to changing their beliefs. This also means that stories based on falsehoods can be key ingredients in viral deception, character assassination and above all, communal hatred and prejudice.
Everyone is a storyteller in the community, and a good story is the one told with truth, with candor. But the story of this politician, Hon Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade, is like the football story of Nigeria loss to India by 99 goals – I believe we all know that story. A kind of story that it is until you become a man, you never realized how much a house of lies the community has built in your mind.
THE STORY THEY TOLD US ABOUT AIA
Five years back, I was still in secondary school with my friends, rolling tyres, frolicking and basking in the rays of sun and twilight, and it was during this formative period of my life that all stories I knew of AIA were told:
He was a bad, heartless politician. He ruled for 12years and had never done anything to develop his own people. And even in Civic Education classes, teachers exemplified AIA as that kind of person when we have a topic on leadership… even much more, there is a story that he never spoke at the plenary sitting in the House.
So, as we grew older, we carry this prejudice around our neck like a garland. We carry it everywhere. And we believed, that it was the truest version of the story of Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade.
WHAT WE SAW AGAINST WHAT THEY TOLD US
In a political world where politicians give out limited food items, money to the populace. AIA is giving means of livelihood – a sustainable income per excellence. Having given over 1000 people job and still boasting to do more, with joy, with diligence, AIA appeared, yet too humble.
In an environment where parents still feed their over 30years old son and wife, AIA is giving an interminable hope. Hope that everything is not lost yet.
Yesterday, I was privileged to meet him to hear his own side of the story. And I was seated with so much circumspection to ensure that I do not get swayed and look keenly if he was staging his good character in public.
But in the end I was really impressed with the consistency of his attitude.
So, at this juncture, I think it’s time we told our story ourselves. To change the kind of narratives we grew up to know. Not because of anything else, but for the fact that they were ugly stories, woven in lies, in falsehood. To spoil the image of a person concerned with the growth of his own people.
Dear ALL,
Tell this truer version of the story to everyone – with much strength than they did. Spread it. At school. At workplace. Markets. Family meetings. Everywhere.
Tell it with truth. With passion. Tell it all.
If you dream of a better world, then wake up, get your PVC, and vote in a leader, whose good interminable works precedes him.
And I swear, on my honour, AIA is doing really fine, at least, a sweet life does not require sugar to coat it.
AIA…. MOVEMENT
FOR A BETTER OGUN WEST!
