Breaking news: not all Nigerians are terrorists
In response to the stifled terrorist attack by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on Friday, a couple of Nigerian student have posted what they call "the Nollywood re-enactment of Flight 253". The message behind the madness? Not all Nigerians are terrorists, despite what the hype might have you believe.
In trying to blow up Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab catapulted the phrase "Nigerian terrorist" into the media spotlight. Just a few hours later, a Nigerian businessman from Port Harcourt launched a Facebook group called "We Condemn Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's Action: Nigerians are NOT Terrorists". By Wednesday, over 38,000 people had joined.
“Nollywood re-enactment of Flight 253”
“Being a Nigerian in the US is already hard. It will be even more so in the next few weeks and months”
A Nigerian from the north of the country, John Orafa has been studying at Brigham Young University in Rexburg (Idaho) for the past year. He's behind the re-enactment clip.
With the video, we like to make fun of such events, because it helps our message stay in the public consciousness. And more importantly, we wanted to tell the world that the attempted act of terrorism was the action of one deranged and misguided kid.
Being a Nigerian in the US is already hard. I have come across racial and religious prejudices. People have negative ideas. It will be a lot more difficult in the next few weeks and months, I believe. I attended a wedding this weekend, and some Americans stopped talking to me and walked away when they realised I was Nigerian. They seemed shocked and abruptly ended the exchange of pleasantries.
What Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab did does not represent in any way the intention or perception of the Nigerian people towards the good people of America. We do love Americans and seek every opportunity to learn from Americans. And we love life way too much. I apologise on the behalf of all Nigerians and will be leaving for DC to express this with other Nigerian students in a few hours. But I'm a little anxious about going to an airport now..."
Comments
NIGERIANS ARE LOVELY AND GODLY
Submitted by PASTOR CHUKS (not verified) on Thu, 31/12/2009 - 16:19.I BLESS THE LORD ALWAYS TO BE A NIGERIAN BY BIRTH. IT IS SO SHOCKING TO NIGERIANS AT HOME AND ABROAD ABOUT A NORTHNER SPOILT CHILD THAT ENGAGE HIMSELF INTO WHAT IS HARD TO BELIVE. I LIVE IN EUROPE BUT NIGERIANS ARE BEEN MISUNDERSTOOD, COS WE HAVE BEEN ENYOKED BY WICKED SET OF LEADERS WHOSE INTERESTS HAS BEEN THEMSELVES, THEMSELVES AND THEMSELVES. IT TAKES GODLY LOVE, PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING FOR OUR COUNTRY TO STILL BE AT PEACE. NIGERIANS ARE FULL OF HOPE AND THEY ARE JOYFUL ALWAYS(HAPPY PEOPLE)THAT CANNOT BE DENIED. THE FACT STILL REMAINS HOW SOME FEW ARE GREEDY. BUT NEVER TERRORISTS, BCOS THEY LOVE LIFE SERIOUSLY LIKE OUR AMERICAN BROTHERS AND LIKES TO LIVE LIKE AMERICANS. THIS IS THE NIGERIA I KNOW {TRUE PICTURE OF NIGERIA} THERE IS HOPE FOR THAT NATION COS OF GODLY MEN AND WOMEN OF VALUE.
Nigeria's North
Submitted by Cole (not verified) on Wed, 30/12/2009 - 20:22.It is a funny video - but you have to wonder what is going on in the north of Nigeria - the Islamic areas are posing some of the worst problems for that country.
Dont let it get you down
Submitted by Ally (not verified) on Wed, 30/12/2009 - 20:00.As an american ill tell you this...
If someone treats you in a bad manner just because you just so happen to share your Nigerian nationality with an idiot or a lunatic, then that person knows nothing of your country or your people. So don't let someone's ignorance get to you.
Ally from Florida
To my Nigerian
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 30/12/2009 - 18:43.To my Nigerian Brothers,
Hang in there folks. A bad apple messes everything up.
We are still suffering from those evil doers who represent a minority but a real threat to their compatriots.
Be well,
An Algerian
RE-NOT ALL NIGERIANS ARE TERRORISTS
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 30/12/2009 - 17:15.I salute John and his crew members for this beautiful message. I know it will be difficult for the whole world to believe this, but it is nonetheless the truth. We apologize to the whole world for this shameful and wicked act. There has never been a time throughout history when Nigeria/Nigerians where known to be Terrorists. We completely feel sorry for this unfortunate act of wickedness and evil. The world should not behold all Nigerians based on the misguided act of one single individual. This goes to tell you how the recklessness of one single individual can affect the sovereignty of a whole nation. We however believe that in a short while the world will soon discover that Nigeria/Nigerians is not a true replica of what the news portray . On behalf of my fellow Nigerians, I once again apologize to the people of the world for this gross misconduct from one of our own. This sad news came when we're in the midst of rebranding our nation. But we do believe that no weapon formed against our nation, in the name of Terrorism shall prosper. Every evil plan designed to truncate our nation shall be condemned. The God of Nigeria will not allow extremist and evil men to have her. The devil is a liar and has lost in Nigeria. God will give Nigeria a new name.
Am african a students in
Submitted by christopher (not verified) on Wed, 30/12/2009 - 22:50.Am african a students in uk,the whole world is further up in nigerians with their terrorism.This is not the first time a nigerian is commiting a serious crime,they are noted for that.It is therefore the time for the whole world to fringe upon nigerians,we cannot absorb their nasty behaviours agains. Nigerians are deeply disgraced to the entire africans.They are tarnishing africans reputations in the whole world. I have promised not to have a nigeria friend again because they can be dangerous at any point in time who knows"they are more dangerous than a python". I cast the day i had a nigerian friend.l Therefore suggest that all nigerians should summon and think about how they can gain their reputation back.
SHAME UNTO NIGERIANS
To all the ignorant buffoons
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 02/01/2010 - 13:42.This goes to Mr 'am African a students in the UK (Christopher)', as John so simply put it, your ignorance precedes you. I advise you to seek knowledge as contrary to the popular saying, 'ignorance is bliss', i categorically tell you that 'ignorance is a fast ticket to self annihilation' (check the dictionary for the meaning of annihilation as you obviously are doing poorly in english language). You cast the day you had a Nigerian friend, we curse the day you were born to corrupt the world with your sheer stupidity and if you cannot make intelligent conversations on a blog, please spare us your foolishness and NEVER make such ridiculous posts! And if you are a Nigerian denouncing your heritage, shame on you for your disbelief. Buffoon with a capital "B".
Which country do u come from
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 31/12/2009 - 16:17.Which country do u come from [deleted]
reply to misguided (am) african student in uk
Submitted by Vikolo from Boston (not verified) on Thu, 31/12/2009 - 03:55.mr african student who has gone to the uk for education its obviuos that your jpurney to uk is defeated bcos is glearing that educational pursuit has eluded you . say what country you fathers come from in africa and i will tell you what that country has benefited from nigeria . your fragile and vague memory is so weak to remind you about the british shoe bomber travelling from the uk to america yet you love uk so much to go there for education , how dumb could you be as to that british bomber,s episode.we dont need your frienship because its obviuos that you are intellectually impared in every sense. my country has brought every kind of glory to africa from struggle agaisnt apartheid, to sports, to nobel lauret,to the greatest universal black scientist ( phillip emeagwali) ,to the first two african billionare in dollars and what have you i can go on and on. but lets hear what your nameless country can boast of!
i am extremely annoyed by
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 31/12/2009 - 08:31.i am extremely annoyed by africans who try to deny their africanship or deny support to our folks in times of trouble. this is not the time to re-call how bad nigerians are, but rather to stand with them ans say to the world world that all niegrians ain't bad. and concerning, the place of nigerians in africa, we can not deny how much weight nigeria has on the african adn even western economies. so Mr London, i have had bad nigerian friends, it's true but i never put restrictions on myself to experiance gud sides of nigerians. and to be honest, hanging around nigerians got my spirit sharper and very active in terms of reaction...nigeria is though, nigerians are tougher but francophone are weak and dumb and u Mr london are more stupid than a rabbit (o the extend to insult and african). if a nigerian is tough, i try to be tougher, and now let's play real time game