RUMORS THAT KILL

This should have been a direct letter to the entire people of South east Nigeria (my people) but I can't even explain why it is coming in this form but all the same I believe the message gets a larger audience. In the past, we were regarded as peace-loving people, we were very much respected not just because of our business prowess but for our wisdom and knowledge but lately not to a little degree has this reputation waned, it has withered like vegetable planted in a desert credit to our recent childish attitude coming disappointedly from even our grandparents.

Rumor is not just bad because it most of the time end a lie but because it misleads a generation and even cause panic among uniformed citizens of a country like ours. Not long ago, I shared the story of a classmate whose mother committed suicide because she was told that 'ndi awusa' are killing Igbos in the north, the poor woman tried reaching her son but could not because of bad networ. She concluded that her son was dead and hence she needs to join him, and so she did! That ugly story still floods my heart with tears not just because of the death but because of the impact on this young man's future, again that the man who broke that rumor will still be alive claiming that he had never shed blood.

The effect of rumor cannot be overemphasized as it even begets a lifetime enemnity  and scars that even death cannot wipe, the story would still be told to children unborn. It will create a nonexistent negative image about a nation, it's government and even the people to the international community. Why say they are killing people when they are not? Why lie they have poisoned food stuff from the north when they have not and cannot? Why say they are injecting people  with poison when they are not? Let's grow sense!!
The most annoying part of  this is that the rumor mongers are the most uninformed, those who who know where and when they are killing people in the North don't even know their way to Onitsha. I imagine how my grandmother felt each time she's done listening to their lies, she calls asking me home with sad stories of how they are killing people over here (where I live), how come she knows my abode more than I do? No thanks to rumors.

The one that drove me into a serious rage is this one of Cow pox, my people alleged
"Alert reaching us that zoo called Nigeria government has poison 80,000 cow from the north with the virus of Cow pox, please call all your family and tell them not to buy or eat cow meat from tomorrow by Nigeria government. There is a virus of cow pox now, send it to all the people you know you might save life's. Please make sure you inform your loved ones. This is being sent as received: Prevention is better than cure. Please be mindful of eating cow meat for now"
This is ridiculous for God's sake!! This is the height of cluelessness

My people, we are part of the problem, creating fear and panic among unsuspecting members of the public. This information is baseless and I will advice you to rather be part of the solution to the problems besetting us as a people than doing what you have done. As a matter of fact,  Cowpox as a viral agent has long been with us(endemic) and most times cattle handlers have developed immunity over time by direct contact, it has never been an issue. The disease has a mild unset with low death rate. Even when the victim presents signs of mild fever and pustules on the skin. It wanes off easily leaving its victim with life long immunity against other variants of pox related viruses including small pox. Please always verify any information you receive on social media before passing it on to the next reader it may have disastrous effect from the other end(s).

If we must have our reputation back, this new senseless and stupid ideology of pointing accusing fingers at the wrong people and places must be sent to the land of no return. The devastating effect is nothing of benefit and shouldn't even be thought of.
Rumor kills faster than any known poison, let's grow sense!!

By Emmanuel Onyekwere