Reading the news of Yar'adua's return today and how he was welcomed by a large crowd, I was filled with mixed feelings and could feel nothing but pity for Nigerians. Such a very patient and loving people even in the face of oppression. My people obviously deserve more than they get.

I am personally somewhat sympathetic to the Yaradua Presidency in that if power must shift to the north after 8years of being in the south lets have a shift in  generation, a complete civilian and someone reasonably educated. I also thank God for his speedy recovery so as to ensure the continuation of the transition programme but what am not sure of is whether going to the airport to welcome him is something I would have desired even if I was paid to do so.

This whole mixed feelings came up while I was checking up on Nigerian Newspapers over the internet as I routinely do. I was specifically reading about the report on Yaradua's return from medical treatment in German hospital and the jubilation that ensued  when I overhead a BBC news from my little radio criticizing Gordon Brown the UK Chancellor for seeking the services of a private medic and not the NHS (National health services).

Gordon Brown had sought the services of a private medic in the UK and he came in the spotlight  meaning that he is being accused of knowing that the NHS under his watch is not fit for purpose otherwise he would not be needing the services of a private medic. While Brown is being criticized for doing this, across the atlantic and in my homeland my people are celebrating the fact that a Presidential aspirant who has been a serving Governor for 8years had to seek the services of a medic not within the shores of Nigeria but  thousands of miles away in Europe.

Why is the health services in Katsina not working Why are the hospitals in Nigeria as a whole not fit for purpose So many who can't afford this trip abroad would have died of this same illness but here he is treated within days and able to join his campaign. How long shall we continue in this hypcrisy? It is even more painful that the same is even obtainable of the so called opposition, only in December Atiku went for medical check up abroad and the same can be said of all the elite politicians in Nigeria.

Guys I like to hear what you think, but for me I think this is the height of hypocrisy by the Nigerian elite class.

These politician may not be going abroad for medical treatment because of our poor medical facilities.

They do so for fear of their lives

[size=18pt] VooDoo!!! [/size]

Worldwide - people seek the best medical services available to them, therefore, if you can afford good services, why say because of partriotism you only want services available to you at home? Our services are not world standard, neither are services in most other parts of Africa, and other palces worldwide, therefore, if Yar Adua seeks medical attention abroad, he deserves to, that doesnt mean the government is not oncerned with the level of development in our medical sector, we are a developing nation, until we get there, people will continue to seek better facilities elsewhere.

But do you expect people to be sad that the man came back? He is human and with families and supporters, should his supporters not celebrate is return, he didnt make the system what is is presently, so, up him and thank God for his life, your life and many others.

I don't quite agree with you alabiyemmy, if you were back home you'll understand what Mckren is saying,the health services are poor, and the number of people that can afford to travel are minimal, in the uk the NHS is nothing compared to the health services here in nigeria, it is also a pity that we have a vp who has been in govt for 8yrs and in the whole of the country no hospital is fit for him, i feel u mckren, i also had mixed feelings when i read he was back, considering people's reaction to the rumour of he's death which is another ball game all together,

i do consider myself living in Nigeria - with five trips to Nigeria yearly and each lasting two weeks, I think I can speak about Nigeria as well. The question is, should people expect him to die abroad and not celebrate is return?

Granted you cant companre the UK to Nigeria on so many fronts - past leaders accounted for this and many woes, not blaming it on Yar Adua and expecting him to die abroad for neglecting to partronise heatlh services in Nigeria.

@Alabiyemi

You are simply deviating from issues, I am not wishing Yaradua death. I have only used this situation as a case study of the injustice pepertrated by Nigerian leaders on its people.

Yaradua as an individual has every right to seek treatment in heaven if he so wishes provided he can afford it. As a matter of fact who cares if Dangote does this, but Yaradua as a political leader, a serving governor for that matter can not provide services he is not happy to use to the Nigerian people. No life is more important than another, we can not continue to have a situation where all our facilities are in deplorable state for Nigerians to use while the likes of OBJ, Atiku, Buhari, Yaradua, Ngige who claim to be Nigerian leaders will seek the same services abroad.

Who wants to have a meal that even the cook can not eat

Developing nations will not remain developing forever, we can move from where we are if there is sincerity on the part of our leaders. This is not about patriotism or lack of it, this is about intentionally not rendering quality services and yet justifying the fact that you know the true perception of quality by seeking the same services elsewhere.

We can not continue to have this idea of I am a leader, the hospitals or schools are not good enough for me and my children but they are good for the Nigerian people.

Forget about who you are or how comfortable you are, only 1 week ago I posted somewhere on this forum that the Niger-Deltans who colluded with our ex-leaders to loot the zone in the 80s may not have envisaged that where they call home will turn out to be a war zone someday.

It is Bob Marley who said "you can fool some of the people some of the time but you can't fool all the people all the time".
The patience of the Nigerian people are obviously being stretched over limit, even Ribadu has said it today that if the insincerity of our leaders continue, our country may end up another congo, somalia or liberia.

As Ronald Regan will have it "No arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women". And I add to that "no country or Government will succeed without the will and moral courage of the people". Then tell me how a leader who provides services, that is not good enough for himself and his children, will earn the support of the people??

Posted by McKren:

Why is the health services in Katsina not working Why are the hospitals in Nigeria as a whole not fit for purpose So many who can't afford this trip abroad would have died of this same illness but here he is treated within days and able to join his campaign. How long shall we continue in this hypocrisy? It is even more painful that the same is even obtainable of the so called opposition, only in December Atiku went for medical check up abroad and the same can be said of all the elite politicians in Nigeria.

I hope you can remember;

We've gone through same issue in the past for many weeks and at that time you seemed not to understand my point.

Let me refresh your memory by asking you this question: How come most Nigerian ministers of education specialize in shipping their children to attend school in abroad?
Does that make any sense to you?

If you pay attention you will realize the common analogy between these subjects.

I've recommended this strategy in the past: The only way our educational and medical system can and will improve in Nigeria is by implementing a law that enforces top Federal government officials and their families to utilize these resources.

I guarantee you that things will improve as soon as this strategy is initiated.

Believe me, it's not that difficult to correct things in Nigeria; all it takes is a strong, focused and dedicated leader.

Believe me, it's not that difficult to correct things in Nigeria; all it takes is a strong, focused and dedicated leader.

Big B1, with your double sided swords, sometimes you sound very p**sed.

Is Ribadu not the sort of leader we already have to initiate the fixing of the ills plaguing the country and yet you and the other IBB/Atiku's fans here do not support his efforts.

@ Topic--heheheeheh