There is a profession today that did not exist in the past. It is an informal, infuriating, and infectious profession known very simply as ‘social media soldier’ or ‘keyboard warrior.’ This profession allows individuals to take up the mantles left behind by gladiators of the past, daring to slight whoever, whenever, and however. Abike Dabiri, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has fallen into the traps of these warriors. Having dealt with her, the brave lady of iron and fire is no longer recognizable.
When it comes to diaspora issues, Dabiri has always stood at the forefront of things. This is especially true when these issues involve Nigerians that are struggling outside their motherland or have fallen into the kind of situation that they never would have if they were back here. But Dabiri never fails to show that she has their back. This enviable character has been turned against her, gradually evolving into a distortion of what she represents and how.
Since the Sudan saga started, Nigerians with relatives in that country have been worried to the point of despair. Dabiri, ever the motivator, attempted to encourage Nigerians that efforts are being made to get back our brothers and sisters from Sudan. However, things did not go as planned and that ended up getting Dabiri into the ring with social media soldiers.
Dabiri claimed on Twitter that there are more than three million Nigerians residing in Sudan, and even the wealthiest person in that country has Nigeria’s blood flowing inside him. However, people were quick to point out that Dabiri had exaggerated the figures so far out of proportion that she could have designed 12 new Sudan and her estimated number of Nigerians would not fill up these fictional countries.
The same ridicule was raised against her claim of the wealthiest person in Sudan being a Nigerian, with some social media commentators calling her out for being a fantastic teller of tall tales. Despite knowing that she can make mistakes, these keyboard warriors are not having it.
If social media was a compound, Dabiri would have to remain in her flat for the next three to six months. After all, nobody ever wins against social media soldiers.