IBOM AIR SAGA: The Dangers of a Single Story

By Festus Fifen 

In 2012, Somewhere in Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria, My very good friend Enitan Obadina shared a TEDx video with us about "The Dangers of a single Story " by the Famous Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

We were having a conversation about stereotypes and the need to hear all sides of a story before we form opinions about individuals, events and occurrence. Having listened to us for a while, he just gave me the video clip and said nothing more. After we all watched that video clip, we knew that was the needed intervention to put the matter to rest. From that single experience, i learnt not to jump into conclusions without first hearing all the sides of a  story no matter how convincing it sounds. 

Over the years, i have come to realise that there is always more to things than what meets the eye. Things are not always the way they seem.

Since the news of the August 10th Uyo -Lagos Flight by Ibom Air broke out, commentaries and positions of some very respected individuals online including some government agencies have been centered only on visuals by one of the parties involved in the saga, (Ibom Air Crew Members)

Decisions were taken, Judgment was hurriedly passed based on one sided story or what i will call a single story. The airline was quick to barn her for life as if the power of life and death or  the  life of that organization belongs to those making those pronouncements. 

The attitude of the Lady in question did not help matters as some Nigerians were quick to dig up her past photos and videos to buttress a point only known to those making the videos. 

The speed at which she was charged and remanded in Kirikiri Prison left some of us alarmed until other angles of the story started showing up online and the situation took a different turn. Nigerians were too in a haste to condemn her, even with the inhumane treatment given to her, "those without sin"  already threw their stones.  while some of those stones  landed on the lady, other stones landed on those that dare to have a different view based on evidence available. Some individuals who felt  the Airline crew did not do well were quickly labeled enablers of indecency with comments like "you people are the reason this country is like this" unprintable names were secretly given to some individuals all in the name doing the right thing based on one sided story.  

With the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA and other notable lawyers and Non governmental Organizations stepping in to unravel the mystery of the dramatic flight,  some truths that were not available within the first 24 hours of the hullabaloo is gradually coming out.  Though i have also been a victim of the high handednes of a member of staff of Ibom Air sometimes in 2019, i will refrain from talking about it for the purpose of the credibility of this article. Others flyers who have also had similar experiences with Ibom air are now coming out to state what they know about those working in that organization especially as it pertains to how they handle conflicts and other human relations Issues. 

In all these, some mistakes would have been avoided if the hasty decisions based on a single story  were delayed till all sides of the story was heard.

The danger of a single story is that it creates stereotypes, incomplete narratives that rob people of their dignity and humanity. When we only hear one version of a story about a person, place, or culture, we miss the rich complexity and shared humanity that lies beneath. These narrow views emphasize our differences instead of our commonalities and make it harder to truly understand each other.

 Let’s reject the single story and embrace diverse voices and perspectives. Because every story matters, and together they reveal the full truth.

Yesterday it was KWAM 1, Today it is a Comfort Emmanson, tomorrow it could be you or anybody. No one knows who will be the next to taste the realities of rights abuses. 

See something, Say something