Unlike a doctor or an engineer, anyone can claim to be a critic simply because they write or disapprove of a political leader or system, irrespective of whether they are psychologically or professionally qualified. While a doctor or an engineer needs to be certified before taking the responsibility in that respect, a critic needs only to express opinions about the topics in question. No mandatory qualification or requirement, although it helps if a critic has some kind of qualification in order to boost confidence, and perhaps to be taken seriously. Genuine critics should take consolation in the fact that even in a regulated profession such as doctor, quacks still rear their "beautiful" heads.

Anyway, there are many questions for someone who professes to be the conscience of morality; someone who thinks of feels she has third eye. As mentioned in A Portrait of the Critic as Unpredictable Fellow, the role of the critic is inevitable in the society. It is necessary therefore to know exactly what is on her mind. What is her conviction and motivation? How does the critic choose a subject matter? Is it on impulse or by careful selection? Does she think about writing a story and later kill it? Does she think about the impact it might have on the society? Does she take readers into consideration or basically write for self?

Can a critic be paid by certain governments to fabricate stories in their favour? Can a critic also be paid to write subversive articles against the state, and thus hide under objectivity or whatever? Could this be what successive governments – legitimate or illegitimate – had in mind whenever they gagged critics? And could it be what Plato, the author of The Republic, had in mind when he declared his intention to ban poets [critics] from his ideal Republic? Among other things he accused poets [or critics] of subversive distortion, of teaching or preaching what they don’t know themselves. He probably knew that in this corrupt frame of mind, hypocrisy would flourish and then dignified under false name.

On the other hand, is it possible to hear a song of innocence in the soul of a critic whose writing is hypocritical in nature? Or is she actually speaking through the hypocrite’s lips, using love, pity, mercy, and peace as a cover for the base or hidden motives? Is it envy or genuine caring for one’s motherland that spurs the critic to write about the state of the nation? Is her soul disquieted and depressed by the gloomy phenomenon of her land? Is she affected by everything – disheartening or alluring – and always filled her with unrest and bitter thoughts? Does she deliberately give falsehood or speak with passionate conviction? Again, what exactly is that conviction? What is that thing which a critic struggles to express from lumps of earth? Is she carrying the whole weight of the universe upon her shoulders?

Could it be that the critic’s compassionate heart is outraged and wounded by the unnecessary sufferings which society inflicts on its humbler members? Is this what the hubbub about? And should the critic’s character be impeccable like that of Jesus Christ or Prophet Mohammed? Who should be less perfect in character? Is it the government or the critic or both? And can any human being possess perfect character or even close? The answer might be no, but to indulge under this notion is unnerving.

In addition, is it possible for a critic to reach that stage of self-consciousness or self-congratulation whereby she sees herself as Alpha and Omega and thus becomes a dictator like those being criticized? How well can the critics themselves take criticism? Do they react indignantly or smile or laugh at their own follies? Now what would then be the role of the critic should a nation be efficiently run, and people seem to be satisfied with their standard of living? I mean since criticism is her profession. In view of this assumption, can we then deduce that the critic take a little surreptitious pleasure over government’s inefficiency since keeping her daily bread as well as being relevant depends enormously on government’s poor performance?

For, to tell the truth, I would love to see a situation in which it’s apparent that a certain government is performing well, and to see whether critics would change their tune or stick stubbornly to their usual song of finding fault. Nigerian government should create scenario of this nature, so as to see what becomes of the critic. Perhaps it would be time to dabble in fiction writing. To be sure of their intention, shall we then call upon all critics to swear: that they are not intentionally misleading the public masquerading under different techniques? We need assurance to know if they can be trusted.

Furthermore, should critics participate in the government they criticize? How can we differentiate between genuine critics from those who use the forum as a stepping-stone, or a cry for recognition in order to be invited for a share of the oil revenue? Is being a critic an end onto itself? I don’t think so, because we have witnessed giant critics or journalists accepting government positions. People like Segun Osoba, former Sketch Managing Director, who later served as Ogun State Governor. Tony Momoh, former Daily Time big shot, who later became Information Minister to mention just two.

Meanwhile, there are pro-government writers who would make us believe that government criticism is no more fashionable. They have labeled other writers as a bunch of grumbling ungrateful beings, who should keep quiet in spite of unnecessary sufferings in the land. These pro-government writers have forgotten that, if genuine critics in Greece, Britain, America, Germany etc, had kept quiet during traumatic governance in those days, most of us would not have had a haven for our self banishment.

It should be noted that the undying spirits of those critics helped transform these countries into their present level. Therefore, all genuine critics should not keep quiet until the government is applying itself to the alleviation of the symptoms of poverty. Let those who have chosen the path of a sycophant continue eating the crumbs. But they should not forget that Nigerians deserve a real living standard too.

Robot  Villager

# 1 Unlike a doctor or an engineer, anyone can claim to be a critic simply because they write or disapprove of a political leader or system, irrespective of whether they are psychologically or professionally qualified. While a doctor or an engineer needs to be certified before taking the responsibility in that respect, a critic needs only to express opinions about the topics in question. No mandatory qualification or requirement, although it helps if a critic has some kind of qualification in order to boost confidence, and perhaps to be taken seriously. Genuine critic...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 21.01.2006 04:50

Eagle Eye  JJC

# 2 Thank you for your Article, Mr. Babalola. Are you related to Afe Babalola by any chance? It is true that we have good critics and bad ones, depending on which side the reader is but there are people that are considered good and are not criticized but praised by almost everyone. On Governors, examples are Muazu of Bauchi State, Sam Egwu of Ebonyi State and the born again Chris Ngige of Anambra State. As a matter of fact, I have not come accross anyone criticizing Sam Egwu of Ebonyi State on anything. If anyone has, I would very much like to hear it. Excellent guy and Presidential material!!! Thanks for your article. Yours truly Neophyte critic Posted by Eagle Eye| 21.01.2006 12:13

Prex  JJC

# 3 My comment are these questions and they are "Who critiqued the first 'qualified' engineer or Doctor? Who approved the first "degree" to the degree holder? The answers are in the usuage of common sense. Prex Canada Posted by Prex| 21.01.2006 12:19

Mvershana

# 4 Are you a critic? Why do you criticize the critic? Aha! In a democracy we usually have the opposition that should point out the flaws of the ruling government and suggest alternatives. When the opposition takes over in a parliamentary system for instance, the "shadow ministers" take the position in which they had been critical of. We know that in Nigeria, we do not have any serious organized opposition with serious think tanks or even thinkers. They all await their turn at the thieving trough. If decamping is the shortest route there, they do not hesitate to shamelessly take it. They are indeed saying you are not doing a good job; I could do better. In that vein except the critic that criticizes for the sake of criticizing, the chief critic should be able to make a good replacement. Is criticism self-serving? Every human action or utterance is self-serving to some extent. The question you got right is, "to what purpose is the criticism"? Posted by Mvershana| 21.01.2006 14:05

Timothy

# 5 <<>> Arrant Nonsense! Sam Egwu is a weakling under the spell of his wife First Lady Ukamaka Egwu. It is an open secret in Abakiliki that she is the clearing house for all major contracts in the state. Abakiliki remains the most backward state capital in Nigeria despite all the huge accruments from the federation account since 1999. Nothing works in the dusty town. Major road projects initiated by Gov Egwu many years ago appear jinxed. How many years does it take to finish the dualiation of a 2 kilometre township road? In a period when governments are shying away from business, Egwu purchased for my state a hotel from Alex Ekwueme after paying a whopping N800,000 for the failed hotel. He later claimed to have spent another N600,000 renovating it. How much has he spent on the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital? You may not be aware of the outcry and anguish of students of the Ebonyi University College of Medicine over the recent withdrawal of their accreditation by the National Universities Commission. I hear that when the accreditation team visited, they were shocked to discover that that the college lacked basic laboratory equipments. I understand that it couldn't have cost the state more than N60 million to upgrade facilities to meet the accreditation, yet, Dr. Egwu's priority lay in the Ekwueme deal. Presidential material indeed! Posted by Timothy| 21.01.2006 14:19

keem	# 6 Dear Eagle Eye, Thanks for your precious time. I am not related to Afe Babalola. Regards, hakeem Posted by keem| 23.01.2006 01:50