Lets put this bluntly I am tired of cynical, opinionated, formally educated, elitist buffoons who constitute the greater portion both formal and informal commentators on this country Nigeria. The new sexy is that this is a failed state a new form of what their leader taught them that Nigeria is only a geographic expression. Never mind the fact that the peoples of this so called geographic expression belong to two, maximum four linguistic families. Nothing shows connection more than etymology and even more importantly they have inter-married, have shared histories and even similar mythologies. Perhaps more mind blowing is the archeology of the area links them so emphatically. It is true this pundits never let a fact come between them and their assumptions, a classic definition of bigotry. Of course it appears a curious thing that people can be bigoted against the country of their birth but this is not really true if you review it dispassionately. Most people born in this country have never matured to become Nigerians. They are largely individuals whose fear of failure and disappointment from expectations of greatness has turned them from grasshoppers to locusts. The true shame is that they hide behind the guise of failing governance to perpetuate their wanton destruction.
Take a look at Lagos State by all account with a Governor and Governance that has captured the public imagination with vision, commitment and dedication ably backed by the most Nigerian form of evidence of progress, shiny new infrastructure. Roads being built, refuse being cleared and new shiny buildings all the time. In fact parks are being thrown in for good measure. There are very few people who do not admire the government of Governor Fashola. Now that is my point can you see any change in the behaviour of the elite? Are they any more law abiding in lagos? Do they rush to pay their taxes? Are there any attempts to stop putting their debris on the roads or even the most dangerous behaviour drive against traffic when no one is there to stop them? By common agreement this is a committed government but where is the corresponding response of goodwill from the ever complaining educated, widely travelled and opinionated elite?
It takes more than citizenship to be a Nigerian, it takes an awareness of the privilege that it is to be part of this incredible aggregation of people. It demands a commitment to elevate oneself and fellows from the doldrums of self congratulatory mediocrity towards a relentless pursuit of excellence. it asks not for blind loyalty or patriotism or reflexive criticism but genuine insightful and seriously analysed perspectives both positive or negative. Perhaps most importantly it behoves a sacrifice for generations to come that does not absolve by blaming governmental failure but by accepting onerous duty that comes from the many lives lost in the creation, maintenance and defence of the idea of this most complex and improbable country.
God one day let me truly become a Nigerian.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Becoming a Nigerian
Monday, September 07, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Times
I have missed the few, the wonderful few that read these postings. I have been out their in the sojourn of my conscious delivering on two legacy pieces that I have committed myself to this year. The first is the completion of my manuscript on the organising principles of Omoluwabi for the 21st century. Now those of you have written books know that deadlines are killers of inspiration but they have to be given so here we are the backbone or spine delivered to publishers and ideas already flourishing for Omoluwabi 2.0. The second somehow related is the agenda for regeneration of Ibadan as an experiment or pilot in transformation of Nigeria. We will be doing the first ever stakeholder visioning exercise for a city in the African continent as part of Ibadan Week on the 18th of November. The preceding activities includes a survey that engages the broad section of residents and indigenes in expressing their own perspective all which will be put into the pot for our co-travellers GroupPartners to capture using their exceptional 4D social technology. Those who might be interested can visit www.mesiogo.com our emerging website and for more on GroupPartners technique visit www.grouppartners.net.
Many things have happened during my posting hiatus most of which are topical and demand comments but at the same time I had some extraordinary experiences that demand sharing with you. First I will have to complete my Apeke Lessons and I have the perfect cypher since I just had the painful pleasure of releasing one of my closest friends and mentors, Ifeoluwatari Ajadi to a new world and life far away from our regular access and interaction. The lessons of putting him in school at UWC in New Mexico to new influences and direction knowing fully our bond of living by similar codes and ideology which most do not understand, accept or even acknowledge might not survive this new experience. I watch President Obama struggle within his new role living by a similar code and watch the misrepresentation and misunderstanding that passes for analysis of his position and how that fuels the drop in his poll numbers. More later in my posting on the transition including the impression of Alburquerque and Santa Fe (I love).
On the other hand their was my trip within Nigeria from Lagos to Otukpo in Benue state with my friend and brother Amali Amali. It was quite an education about Nigeria and especially about why Lagos is not Nigeria and vice versa. I have some pictures here and more later.
Friday, July 24, 2009
You must be MEND
Now MEND showed its true colours in the bombing of Atlas Cove in Lagos . It is a terrorist and criminal enterprise full stop. It kidnaps, kills and destroys public property and now not just in Niger Delta. The death of 7 in Lagos is just the kind of lack of boundaries I often warned about in this so called fight for resource rights. I often wonder out loud what added value those who are fighting have put into the particular resource. There is no doubt the Delta should be developed but to what avail with the kind of attitude and addiction to 'Deve'. Deve if you do not know is the slush of funding going to so called programmes which are often extorted by ' Youth' for their personal benefit. This funds come from Government, Oil Companies and International donors without really demanding any productivity or accountability. Now the Federal Government is about to institutionalize Deve. Whilst 27 soldiers are given life sentences for demanding allowances for serving the country under the UN, these killers and kidnappers will get allowances to reward their illegal and murderous enterprises. Wow this is truly the elevation of Rule of Law.
The President, Africa and the Gates
President Obama's visit to Ghana and speech has had the Nigerian press and the so called progressive wing of the National politics excited. They use the visit and the so called tough love message to beat the PDP government around the head. No doubt this is a do nothing National Government which is a throwback as i suspected to the Shagari Government of the second republic. With GDP down to nearly half of what it was in the last term of the Obasanjo Adminstration and debt burden increasing at a rate not seen since early 1980s, a projected budget deficit for 2010 we are in macro-economic danger zone. Nevertheless there was nothing more patronising than the speech President Obama gave in Accra. In my opinion it was condescending and self indulgent. There it is. For someone who understands nuances and challenges of a complex continent it was a uninspiring effort that could have delivered by any of his predecessors. I am sure he will come back and hopefully with something that starts to explore with Africans how they can help shape a new world order that takes into consideration African cultural intelligence and heritage. Nothing short of mordernising through Aficanisation will suffice. The President cannot and should not address the African continent like he is lecturing African American males on fatherhood . It will not do. What happened to his respectful and challenging tone in his address to the Islamic world? We should not accept anything less.
I also think Mr President has reached a stage in his presidency where he needs the kind of wisdom he showed in the Pastor Wright incident during his campaign. He has in front of him one of the most critical legacy challenges in Domestic politics of the US, the issue of Health Care reform. He should not have commented on the Professor Gates incident even though I think his comment was on point. His powder needs to be dry and his focus on the priority. He has wasted some much needed political capital on an issue that could have been ably picked up by others. I continue to wish President Obama well but he needs a second wind or else he will find that things just get harder not easier.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Monday, June 01, 2009
Listen to the wise Latina Woman
So President Obama's Supreme Court Nominee Justice Sotomayor being quoted out of context appeared to suggest that a Wise latina woman is more likely to come to better judgement than a white male. She is labeled racist by some and asked to explain herself by others. Even the President sought to excuse her choice of words and find ways to soften the meaning. For the record Judge Sotomayor is absolutely right a wise Latina woman by virtue of her status in the hierarchy of ethnicity in the United States is more likely to see a perspective of society that is not only more exposed but also more informed about the lives of the common people. Most importantly a Latina woman has to know white mainstream culture to survive along with her own culture for not just the interest but for her economic survival. A white male does not require any such thing except if he is motivated by exceptional circumstances. It is political correct claptrap to suggest that this opinion is either racist or malicious in any way.
