I recall writing a controversial post proclaiming that there is a good time to do the wrong thing e.g. driving through red lights in Lagos after 10pm to avoid getting ambushed by robbers. However UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, may have taking this statement out of context for seemingly wrong or justifiable reasons. You see, I’ve always had my suspicions that once Britain’s Labour party lose power and the Conservatives have (undiluted) power there would be a near zero-tolerance on immigrants. Why? Britain seems to be feeling the pinch of high expenditure to cater for asylum seekers and are not too keen about some sects reshaping the Britain we once knew had no mosques, for instance. Also rewind to the infamous 7/7 bombing back in 2005 carried out by resident terrorists not originally of British origin, and which left 52 dead and 700 injured, then you may wonder yourself the true motive behind Cameron’s stance on refugees from the Middle East.

Cameron is of the opinion however that it’s best to tackle the issue of bringing peace to the Middle East as being a lasting solution rather than taking more refugees. In his own words, “I don’t think there is an answer that can be achieved simply by taking more and more refugees.” My issue with that is this – if the immigrants in question were his relatives would he say, ‘We’re not taking anymore refugees for now because we’re in the middle of restoring peace in your neck of the woods. In the meantime sit tight and try not to get killed.’? Just a few days ago pictures surfaced on the web of a little boy washed up on a beach in Turkey who drowned as he tried escaping from Syria to Greece. The news has evoked emotions in the hearts of Brits and many others nationalities, not least Claire Cooper (a Twitter member) who had this to say:

There’s one person whose got immense pressure coming from all sides and he’s name is David Cameron. By the time Parliament returns next week be sure the refugee issue will be on the agenda. I just wonder if the Nigerian government could pitch in – Are we not hospitable? Are we too far away? Do we smell bad? Don’t we have some of the foods you can eat daily? Just a thought.

My issue is this – if the immigrants in question were his relatives would he say, ‘We’re not taking anymore refugees for now because we’re in the middle of restoring peace in your neck of the woods. In the meantime sit tight and try not to get killed.’?

We need to value human life. Once it ends you can’t bring it back so why wait until the last minute before you decide to help save one. It might be you or me one day and wouldn’t you want somebody to lend a helping hand? The word refugee may be frowned upon by some and may be associated with perceptions of homelessness, lack, desperation and filth. But it’s not their fault. They didn’t start the war in the home nation. They just got in the way and now they want out. I leave you now with a memorable clip from 2012 to put this all into perspective #refugeeswelcome

Sources: @CLAIREECOOPER; The Guardian; YouTube