Featured Article.
By Otiti aka truthsayer.
In a country grappling with economic hardship and youth unemployment, the recent reaction to the viral video involving Ms. Comfort Emmanson, popularly referred to as the “Ibom Air girl”, reveals a disturbing trend among Nigeria’s elite. The overwhelming generosity shown to her, ranging from offers of plots of land in Abuja to fully sponsored trips to South Africa and Dubai, has sparked deep reflection on our collective values.
The irony is striking. For decades, Nigeria’s brightest minds, JAMB top scorers, first class university graduates, international academic champions, have quietly disappeared into the shadows without so much as a handshake from the so called big men. These brilliant students, who should be celebrated and supported, often face unemployment, underappreciation, and the sad reality of brain drain. Yet, not once have we heard of a top academic being gifted a piece of land or flown across continents in celebration of their achievements.
What does it say about us when fleeting social media fame garners more tangible rewards than years of dedication, sleepless nights, and hard work? Ms. Mmanson’s case, driven largely by the exposure of her body in a viral clip, has unfortunately become a rallying point for misplaced attention. This is not to condemn her as a person, but to question the intent and consistency of those now falling over themselves to “empower” her.
Nigerian men, especially among the political and business elite, must look inward. The speed with which they mobilize resources when titillated by social media trends, especially those of a sexual nature, is alarming. Where is this same energy when it comes to funding education, endowing scholarships, or supporting groundbreaking innovation? Our sense of reward is warped, and our youths are watching.
The danger is not just in the misallocation of resources, but in the message it sends: that virality, not value, is the new benchmark for success. If we continue like this, we risk breeding a generation more interested in going viral than going far. Our focus must shift back to merit, hard work, and contribution, not sensationalism.
It is high time Nigeria’s influential men and women realigned their priorities. Celebrate the Comfort Emmansons of the world if you must, but do not ignore the countless others whose only “mistake” was choosing the path of hard work and discipline over cheap attention. Until we begin to reward excellence with the same zeal we reward virality, our progress as a nation will remain stunted.
