By Sheriff Barrie
The Sierra Leone First Lady, Fatima Bio, has once again made headlines in the Well of Parliament. This time, over an ordinary song: “U Coco Ros O.”
Honestly, if you know your “coco” doesn’t “ros,” why turn it into such a big issue?
It reminds me of an exchange I once had with a UK-based SLPP fanatic in an online forum. He called me “one of the useless African educationists.” I told him I wasn’t bothered, because thankfully, I am not among those he was referring to.
Growing up in different environments and being exposed to diverse people and situations, I’ve encountered all sorts of rudeness. But in life, the real choice is deciding whether to respond to certain things or let them go. Often, it’s wiser not to inflate small matters into big ones.
My advice to the First Lady is simple: if you choose to be in politics, you must be ready to hear both praise and criticism. No matter what you do, you will always have opponents. The way you handle such moments will determine whether people see you as mature or immature.
Perhaps the honorary (and arguably hollow) PhD title in her name has influenced her sense of importance, enough to make her believe she stands above even the Vice President and the President. But in the Well of Parliament, strict protocols must be observed. Respect for the House is not optional.
Yes, parliamentarians may sing in Parliament, but that doesn’t mean anyone can ignore its rules and decorum.
As for the deeper technical aspects of parliamentary conduct and political critique, I’ll save those for another day, in shaa Allah.
And please, make me a PhD too with disturbing practical work, but don’t confuse my normal focus!
For you and for me
CMJ