Alison Madueke: Nigerians need to demonstrate shared humanity

"It is a man's sympathy with all creatures that truly makes him a man. Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man himself will not find peace"

The picture of former minister of petroleum on her sick bed flying around worried me... not for her but for the country. While there are those who pray for her to get well soon, others are making derisive comments and remarks about her... her sin is that she was alleged to have been corrupt.

The good and kindhearted ones among us should never be cowed into joining the mob who are only interested in making their points the only valid ones. Mrs Madueke may have questions to answer, the reality is that as at this moment no court has convicted her and indeed, her case is still under investigation . If we are to convict everyone of our leader that is or has been alleged to have committed a misdemeanor or act of corruption in court of public opinions, our leaders would have been decimated.

The message we are sending out to good people is negative... it is that if they serve the country, and they are accused of wrong doing, they will not enjoy the benefit of doubt or fair hearing...And this message only encourage the bad ones... They become hardened knowing that whether they perform or not, the society would still convict them without trial. Any wonder why many good people stay away from public services?

I am not a fan of Mrs Madueke but those who rejoice in her ill health need to hear Albert Schweitzer "It is a man's sympathy with all creatures that truly makes him a man. Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man himself will not find peace"

And Pema Chödron put it succinctly “Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.”

The Nigerians need to demonstrate their shared humanity and wish her sound health in her trying moment... As for me, I wish her speedy recovery.