THE SMOKESCREEN EFFECT

Civilizations before us and many more to come after ours will always employ the smokescreen effect even though it is generally attributed to magicians, illusionist and con men. What is the smokescreen effect you may ask. Let me put it in the most common and simple way I can. It is the sweet candy you give a child just so you can take away his toys, inject him or leave the house without getting noticed.

This technique along with many other strategic techniques used today both for warfare and technological advancement can be attributed to the military who from ancient times used different things for smokescreens. Some historians say that Attila the Hun used to send women (mostly slaves from previous conquest) days ahead of him into the camp his enemies, once they are carried away, his army comes in for the kill. Over the years, military and political leaders have designed and devised millions of smokescreens to achieve their aim. The most intriguing and fascinating to me is the media (at all levels). I really duff my hat for the grand schemer who came up with the idea.

As educative and enlightening as the media can be, I personally enjoy watching and listening to the gimmicks played both on the local and international scene. Bringing up a story to overshadow the real deal and problem. I watch with great fascination the political maneuvering and manipulations played on us in this country (my Nigeria). I so much dislike talking politics but the spate of National issues keeps compelling me to air my opinion. When I hear some things, I start second guessing my convictions and confidence in this country. The distraction and confusing stories have so much distracted us that most of us have lost track and focus of reality. 

Boko Haram still exists and kills people daily.

A great team of youths still roam the streets unemployed (some actually unemployable)

The Salaries of civil servants in some states is still unpaid.

Pensioners are yet to receive their gratuity and some have no pension at all.

Power and Water supply is still not addressed.

Housing is still a major challenge.

Road and infrastructure are still in their dilapidated/dilapidating state

Mr President is still away in London

ASUU just went on strike because of the 2009 agreement that is yet to be met eight years down the line and the list goes on and on. 

Yet all we get is one distraction after another (either through religion, ethnicity/tribe and even political interest), all ploys to take our minds away from these facts. 

On the flip side, the distractions have helped in easing our tensions because Nigerians always find fun and create comics from every situation. We have so metamorphosed that our thick skin no longer takes those arrows as threats. Our shield and unwavering spirit can be be attributed to what these smokescreens have made out of us. 

Need I add that it is the common man on the streets that gets hit the most when the realities bite? I don't think I need to.

In conclusion, I will prefer the Government keep mute or act silently than all the errors made in the bid to "control the damage" and the man on the streets needs to get anti-smokescreen glasses to look and see through when a new smoke cannister is released...#STAYFOCUSED

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