Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , has given reasons why pigeons released by the president initially refused to fly during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

In an article on his Facebook Wall titled, ‘ Reflection from a wreath -laying ceremony , ’ Adesina described the pigeons ’ refused to fly as “a natural phenomenon ” .

He said , “ Now , something for those who twist my every word , turn it upside down, to generate hatred . Something for them to wail about . The release of the pigeons .

“ At every Armed Forces Remembrance Day, after the laying of the wreaths , the sitting President releases some pigeons , to symbolise peace in the land . Emblems of National harmony . It was not different last Friday.

“ The pigeons had been kept in a cage . For how long , I do not know . And when birds and some other roaming animals have been circumscribed for a while , they get accustomed to their new status as lawful captives . Therefore , when you offer them freedom , they first baulk, thinking it’ s too good to be true. It’ s a natural phenomenon .

“ President Buhari opened the cage that held the pigeons , about a score or so . One hesitated , then flew, followed by another. The others temporised a bit. And then , two , three minutes later , they all took to the sky . Nothing extraordinary in the development , you would think. ”

The president ’ s aide also faulted Nigerians for describing the refusal of the birds to fly as a “bad sign” , urging them to do something productive with their time .

He said , “But not to the idle and indolent , most of who populate the social media . It was time to major in something minor , cavil , find fault unnecessarily.

Punch