By Fr Pat Amobi Chukwuma
A few days ago, there was a verbal missile from the lips of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, against a gentle Naval Officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, at a disputed land in Abuja.
The officer and his men were keeping watch over the land in question when the Minister arrived with his entourage. One thing followed the other at the site. Then the Minister shouted to the officer, “You are fool!” In response, the officer gently replied, “I am not a fool. I have integrity.”
The two keywords here are ‘fool’ and ‘integrity’. The two words instantly hit my medulla oblongata. Emotionally, I stood up and started chorusing, “Fool! Integrity! Fool! Integrity! Fool! Integrity!” This produced a wonderful rhythm. Excuse me dance. After dancing comes the real business of the day.
I am so much interested in this topic because I am involved. How and why? By divine ordinance, my nativity fell on the first day of April, which is globally known as April Fools’ Day. In other words, I was born a fool. This is an indisputable.
In fact, I am the happiest fool in the whole world. Really, I thank God for my foolish birthday. Whenever I send a soft or hard copy of invitation to people on my foolish birthday, the feedback I normally get is: “Are you serious or pranking?” Those who are serious, turn up; while those who take it as a joke are found missing.
Yes, I was born a fool but by dint of hard work I became a wise fool. I have compiled my thoughts in three books titled “The Golden Fool: My Birthday Gift” (2013); “The Wisdom of April Fool” (Volume One, 2016) and “The Wisdom of April Fool” (Volume Two, 2018). Also I share weekly wise-foolish thoughts in the Nigeriaworld, Fides Newspaper of Awka Diocese and the Maranatha Newspaper of Ekwulobia Diocese. If you read these books and the write-ups, you will not die so soon. A trial will convince you.
The Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition, gives a series of definitions of a fool: “a person lacking in judgment or prudence; a retainer formerly kept in households to provide casual entertainment and commonly dressed in motley with cap, bells and bauble; one who is victimized or made to appear foolish; harmlessly deranged person or one lacking in common powers of understanding; one with a marked propensity or fondness for something (e.g. dancing).” A fool is also edible.
A cold desert of pureed fruit, mixed with whipped cream or custard is known as fool. So, when you enter a modern restaurant, you can order for a plate of fool. It is very delicious. After eating it, you become a fool. The contemporary nutritionists say, “You are what you eat.”
Anyone who kicks a toad helps it to reach its destination quicker. By calling Yerima a fool, Wike has exalted the young officer to a higher rank nationally and globally. Lt. A.M. Yerima was born on 20 July 1992 in Kaduna State. He is a product of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. He studied Communication before joining the Nigeria Defence Academy. He is known for his professionalism, discipline and commitment to following orders. His career path showcases his focus on service and tactical skill, making him a standout officer.
The officer who was hitherto unknown has gained a global admiration. He respectively responded to the angry Wike, “I am not a fool. I have integrity.” Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines integrity as “the quality of being honest and of always having high moral principles.” It entails doing the right thing in a reliable manner. A person of integrity does not compromise at all. He or she aligns his or her conduct with what he or she knows to be excellent.
Our country Nigeria needs men and women of integrity. We need surplus Yerimas. We have suffered for many years due to dishonest leaders who pursue their selfish agenda on assumption of office. They promise us heaven on earth during their electioneering campaigns.
The past military juntas set us many years backward. The civilian leaders kept us stagnant. No wonder many Nigerians check out in great numbers to foreign lands to look for green pasture because everything is dried up here. Sunny Okosun of blessed memory sang this prophetic lyric in 1983:
“Which Ni way Nigeria! Which way to go! I love my fatherland. I want to know. Which way Nigeria is heading to? Many years after Independence we still find it hard to start. How long shall we be patient before we reach the Promised Land? Let’s save Nigeria, soon, Nigeria will die.”
Currently Nigeria is in a coma. Only leaders and citizens of integrity can save us from the impending national doom. If Sunny Okosun were still alive, he would have composed a dirge for the burial of a demised nation.
Our country is really blessed with natural and human resources. Our problem is mismanagement. We are dying of hunger in the midst of plenty. A lady in my parish whose name is Obiageli (she who comes to the world to enjoy) approached me last month in my office for a change of name from Obiageli to Obiaganwu (she who comes to die). She is suffering from acute hardship and famine.
I asked her to be patient and prayerful as we wait for God’s intervention. She told me that God was far away from Nigeria because the country was sunk in vices. She emphasized that she had already dug her grave and bought a coffin. She was just waiting for her last breath. All my efforts to give her hope proved abortive. She left sorrowfully.
Due to lack of integrity in this country, insecurity is getting worse. As I was writing this, some unpleasant breaking news came into my Whatsapp message. One of them reported that Reverend Father Bobbo Paschal, a Catholic priest, was abducted from his residence at St Stephen’s Parish in Kushe Gugdu, Kaduna State. Armed men attacked his parish on November 17, 2025, killed the brother of another priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony Yero, and abducted several people from the community.
Another ugly report said that mass abductions had surged again, 145 persons were kidnapped in four days. In Kebbi State, the terrorists attacked a certain Girls’ Secondary School; killed the vice principal and abducted about 25 girls from the school. Many soldiers in the battle field had been ambushed, abducted and killed.
Terrorists now use sophisticated weapons like chain machine guns and drones. Genocide of Christians and non-Christians is taking place here and there. Which way is Nigeria heading to? Change of Service Chiefs is not the solution.
The change from new to old National Anthem cannot change our national catastrophe. We hailed Nigeria before we started arising. As we arose and fell, we went back to hailing Nigeria. Our leaders at all levels and we, the led, need a change of heart from evil propensity to integrity.
Nigeria is gradually heading to One Party system. This is undemocratic. Some politicians are used by the powers that be to destabilize opposition parties. Opposition governors and lawmakers are being wooed by all means to join the ruling party. On Tuesday, 18 November 2025, there was fracas at the national office of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja between factional members of the party. The Police teargased everybody away.
At the end, the newly elected Chairman of PDP, Mr. Kabiru Turaki, expressed deep regret over the scenario. He called on the President of America, Donald Trump, to come as quickly as possible, not only to fight against Christian genocide, but also against democratic genocide in Nigeria.
The Church’s liturgical year comes to an end this week, with the Solemnity of Christ the King. He is the Alpha and the Omega. All powers belong to Jesus Christ. He is the King of Heaven and Earth, including Nigeria. He is the Lord of Integrity. Hence, we call upon Him to take control of ill-fated Nigeria and deliver us from our acute bondage and from the powers of darkness that have overshadowed our country. God never sleeps.
The bed bug told her offspring to be patient because what is hot will eventually cool down. Since a black hen can lay white eggs, therefore there is hope in hopelessness. In essence, God will work with us and not for us.
I wish our country Nigeria would be secure in my life time. In God we trust! Only a foolish fool says there is no God. A wise fool like me believes in the omnipotence of God.
