As a social commentator, you find yourself, so many times, wondering why you appear drawn to comment on the negatives coming from your homeland? But as much as you struggle to find positive news to home in on, you also find yourself wondering why those glimmers of positive news are immediately subjected to scepticism. Scepticism, because there is an inherent part of you that is quite dismissive of the motives of the public figures in Nigeria.

For example, you wonder why the Print Media and Internet news media had produced fiery fighters for the talakáwa cause who then turned around upon gaining some “dubious” reputation and accepted government patronage and joined the looting spree of the country called Nigeria. There are too many examples of these ‘patriotic’ writers across all hues of the generational spectrum for me to even bother about naming them – but all of them have one thing in common by gaining public trust and following for the sole purpose of using this accolade and recognition as bargaining chips for selfish ends and government patronage!

So, you wonder what the primary motives were for them making social commentaries in the first instance. A shortcut to public recognition or government largesse? Only one thing I know for sure, these individuals, save a very precious few, were never the same after accepting government patronage. Are these people symptomatic of ALL Nigerians?

Another interesting class of public defenders lie in the Student Unionism and again, I make no haste to name names simply because it would be an effort in futility by repeating the obvious. We all know enough turncoats from this cadre of Nigerians. Student Unionism leadership in Nigeria has simply been turned into money-making opportunities for those who are willing to be compromised by the politicians and public officials and we now have so many instances of student union leaders awarding dubious ‘honours’ to known brigands in public offices. Yet, we no longer have instances of Student Union leaders in Nigeria calling for demonstrations in defence of public interest! Are these the future leaders of Nigeria? As much as I hope not, I am sad to say I suspect they would be. Hence, the prognosis is more doom for the future of the country called Nigeria.

But should our hopes not lie in a somewhat more matured class of human beings; the Labour Unions? But sadly not again, as we now have glaring proof that activism does not translate into good governance when the opportunity arises. And, am not talking about Oshiomole alone. There are too many fallen soldiers in this category as well and it begs belief that those whom we trust would know better could do no better. After all, they say those who wear the shoes feel the pinch, but do they really? We had a graduate of Kirikiri and the death row in power but to what tangible benefit and purpose for common Nigerians? Does anyone on this forum remember the closing pages of book, Animal Farm, when the horses looked into the window of the farmhouse and saw the pigs discussing with the two-legged farmer next door how much they would earn from selling to the knackers yard? So, if we cannot trust our garrulous, verbose and boisterous union leaders to reward our support for them with good governance where else do our hopes lie? Perhaps, Nigeria is just for sale; to the most rapacious of the looters on our ‘publicscape’! Almost certainly!

And that brings us to YOU – the reader!

Dare I hope the salvaging of the future of Nigeria lie with you? Almost certainly No!

Everyday, when I do not have the time to pen my musings, I come online as a form of relaxation and education, to read what other writers are thinking about. I also use it as a barometer of public to gauge people’s perceptions of the country called Nigeria. At times, these are so poignant as to reduce me to near tears (don’t worry, I do not intend to cry for Nigeria); at times, very angry and morose; oftentimes proud but above all; always sad. Sad in the knowledge that the country is potentially the greatest country in the world but as with all potentials unfulfilled; useless.

In other to excoriate some of these feelings, especially the sad ones, I would start scouring the Nigerian newspapers for something positive and I never fail to come away even sadder and affirming to myself; that age-long clique of the Nigerians in Diaspora, “No news from Naija is good news!”

And that, is a crying shame.

When I come to the NVS, as a veritable watering hole of Nigerians from all corners of the earth, I amuse myself by reading the tribalistic, myopic and oftentimes, ignorant comments made about Nigerians by other Nigerians! Of course, these are always tempered by many other brilliant contributors from across all the other ethnic bandings in the country, but one thing remained constant; the intellectual capabilities of almost ALL the contributors on this forum have never been doubted. I have actually written to a couple of other contributors on this forum to acknowledge them as better wordsmiths!

However, what is truly amazing about this gathering of Nigerians is their ferocity when they feel they have to defend their tribal and ethnic cyberspace! They come down to their basest instincts and their feral instincts are laid bare as no better than their forefathers; whom I easily imagine in their banté, loin cloths or whatever, festooned with fetish objects, charms and amulets brandishing ancient weapons such as bows and arrows, daggers and dane guns! They try to lampoon others with cerebral barbs, insults, curses et al when there are tribal matters written on line. Am sure, you will all recollect, either with amusement or derision, what kind of responses comes with articles depicting ethnic threads such as ‘Yoruba Gand Busted” or even those referring to the Igbo or Niger Delta groupings. The article wondering what Makes a Northerner was also not spared despite the attempts of the writer to explain that the problems of the poor in Nigeria is the same regardless of whether the poor person wears resource cap, agbada, wrapper or babanrigá!

Now the serious question is this, if these are the comments and instincts and responses of those whom I would like to see as enlightened Nigerians, what hope lies in these people as possibly those who would raise the country out of its present morass? If our first instincts are to run with the tribal cyberwarriors rather than seek the reasoning behind other people’s actions, what makes us think we are better than the outgoing generation who are currently busy raping the commonwealth to comatose?

At so many times, I read other writers who are sad about the state of affairs and rightly make some noises about this or even insult the readers in an attempt to goad them into doing something more than reading and commenting. But guess what, we have YOU, the readers, come out and deride them with lines like “what is new about talking about corruption?”, “why don’t you (the writer!), do something about it!” or even make such asinine comments like, “it’s time to break up the failed state?”

And this is truly sad. The writers are also Nigerians, generally in despair about the complacency of the majority. Writers act as the conscience of the nation when they have no ulterior motives and can only write for others to react. Your reactions are what make a writer tick. Your reactions are the blood that courses through the veins of the writers. Writers would rather have you DO something when they write; not just pass commendations, well-earned critiques or insults in turn!

It is by acting rather than talking that our country would grow. Let us disprove the theory that black people are happy to laud the talkers rather than the doers. We need to change that perception by acting not talking.

So, I say, Naija has a problem – Is it You?

Robot  # 1 | 12.07.2009 00:27

When I come to the NVS, as a veritable watering hole of Nigerians from all corners of the earth, I amuse myself by reading the tribalistic, myopic and oftentimes, ignorant comments made about Nigerians by other Nigerians! ...Read the full article.

abdulmumin  # 2 | 12.07.2009 01:41

You have said it all. The problems of Nigeria are its 'informed' people and by this I mean its elites who are ably represented on the NVS. Who can see no further than their various tribes or faiths (never mind that they do not adhere to the tenets). For them, every policy pronounceement or appointment is appraised only from their jaded perspective of tribe! Aside from the African continent, does the word 'tribe' feature in conversations held in the developed world?

Danmeka  # 3 | 12.07.2009 09:06

Brother Kay Soyemi, your article say it all. Listen to Obama's speech yesterday talk the importance of unity in diversity."These conflicts are a millstone around Africa's neck. We all have many identities — of tribe and ethnicity; of religion and nationality. But defining oneself in opposition to someone who belongs to a different tribe, or who worships a different prophet, has no place in the 21st century. Africa's diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division. We are all God's children. We all share common aspirations — to live in peace and security; to access education and opportunity; to love our families, our communities, and our faith. That is our common humanity" But you know our so-called greedy,tribalistic,corrupt,syncretic,narrow minded and deceptive transition elitists have turned some of us to pawns in a complex political chess manipulation. That is why you find some tribalistic, myopic and oftentimes, ignorant comments. Well enough said, the destiny of Nigeria is our hands, we can either take it or have a siddon look attitude. Once again Kay thanks for the lovely piece.

Darex  # 4 | 12.07.2009 09:12

Nigeria belongs to all of us..we need to plan and liberate the country now!!

okwuchukwu  # 5 | 12.07.2009 13:10

Actually the word "tribe" should be replaced with the phrase"ethnic group".The truth is that every Nigeria sees himelf or herself from his ethnic group.We dont see ourselves as Nigerians. Unless,we start seeing ourselves as Nigeria we will not have objective writers and thinkers.Also the so called educated,informed and leaders of the country have the same mind set.The nation state Nigeria is not yet a reality but wishful thinking.This is equallywhy we are a country that has refused to move forward.

quietswami  # 6 | 13.07.2009 11:52

=Robot;370918>When I come to the NVS, as a veritable watering hole of Nigerians from all corners of the earth, I amuse myself by reading the tribalistic, myopic and oftentimes, ignorant comments made about Nigerians by other Nigerians! ... And this is truly sad. The writers are also Nigerians, generally in despair about the complacency of the majority. Writers act as the conscience of the nation when they have no ulterior motives and can only write for others to react. Your reactions are what make a writer tick. Your reactions are the blood that courses through the veins of the writers. Writers would rather have you DO something when they write; not just pass commendations, well-earned critiques or insults in turn! It is by acting rather than talking that our country would grow. Let us disprove the theory that black people are happy to laud the talkers rather than the doers. We need to change that perception by acting not talking. So, I say, Naija has a problem – Is it You? Slightly bemused by the distinction made between the "writer" and the "reader" in this context. Perhaps more so where "writers" and action seem to be denoted as mutually exclusive! There appears to be some form of implied division of labour where varying "action" groups have been identified - each necessarily imbued with a sense of purpose, and "social commentators" supposedly tasked with commenting on social issues. A discerning review will likely highlight the missing link - the context. Where the context calls for implied passivity -to expect any different will be illogical. If the macro context for the Village is to redress the unrealised potential of Nigeria, and the micro context of the Village is an exchange of ideas - we do not have a context for acclaimed wordsmiths, literary, nor stylistics critics - focus should be on the ideas or visions and perchance workable plans to execute such ideas! If the mindset to accessing NVS is for some macabre amusement or ridicule of the Nigerian situation that unfortunately will be the logical output. The paucity of vision or workable ideas is my lament, the aloof self-aggrandisement of "writers" is bemusing, and the prevailing short-term attention deficiency is pitiful. I chose not to ascribe blame to any one grouping but instead provide considered views and continue to act according to my ideals of Nigeria -especially given the vaccum of overwhelming ideas or cause of action to rally around! Perhaps when "writers" chose not to write for the sake of writing, and "readers" do not read just for the sake of it, we may get to the ideal point of the exchange of "true" ideas and realistic actions! For now we will have to make do with the "peacocks", the "social commentators", and their fawning readers, cynics, and endless comedians! Begs the intriguing parody - where all assume the role of self-righteous social commentary - how is the distinction made between commentators and the commentated upon? Who are the "actors" and the "action directors"? Crucially, what is the "action"?! Kay - will be interested in your views on my responses to the "Operation throw your shoe..." idea proposed recently.

Kay Soyemi (Esq.)  # 7 | 14.07.2009 12:23

=quietswami;371200>Slightly bemused by the distinction made between the "writer" and the "reader" in this context. Perhaps more so where "writers" and action seem to be denoted as mutually exclusive! There appears to be some form of implied division of labour where varying "action" groups have been identified - each necessarily imbued with a sense of purpose, and "social commentators" supposedly tasked with commenting on social issues. A discerning review will likely highlight the missing link - the context. Where the context calls for implied passivity -to expect any different will be illogical. If the macro context for the Village is to redress the unrealised potential of Nigeria, and the micro context of the Village is an exchange of ideas - we do not have a context for acclaimed wordsmiths, literary, nor stylistics critics - focus should be on the ideas or visions and perchance workable plans to execute such ideas! If the mindset to accessing NVS is for some macabre amusement or ridicule of the Nigerian situation that unfortunately will be the logical output. The paucity of vision or workable ideas is my lament, the aloof self-aggrandisement of "writers" is bemusing, and the prevailing short-term attention deficiency is pitiful. I chose not to ascribe blame to any one grouping but instead provide considered views and continue to act according to my ideals of Nigeria -especially given the vaccum of overwhelming ideas or cause of action to rally around! Perhaps when "writers" chose not to write for the sake of writing, and "readers" do not read just for the sake of it, we may get to the ideal point of the exchange of "true" ideas and realistic actions! For now we will have to make do with the "peacocks", the "social commentators", and their fawning readers, cynics, and endless comedians! Begs the intriguing parody - where all assume the role of self-righteous social commentary - how is the distinction made between commentators and the commentated upon? Who are the "actors" and the "action directors"? Crucially, what is the "action"?! Kay - will be interested in your views on my responses to the "Operation throw your shoe..." idea proposed recently. Well said, quietswami. I make no distinction between the writer and the reader, especially on NVS, since a good number of the writers are also readers, but above all, are ALL NIGERIANS - for now. I also acknowledged the fact that the Villagers are a veritable reflection of the larger Nigerian society, be they writers or readers. The same way I have written here, so would I be a reader of someone else's thoughts and musing - including your "Operation throw My Shoes". I did read thearticle with some amusement, albeit with some headshaking as it advocated activism at a safe distance! I declined to comment on the article as I thought it was somewhat reactive rather than proactive and probably at, best, of nuisance value. This is in stark contrast to my article, written in December 2008 - "Let’s Stop Talking about Ribadu – It’s Time to Act" where I advocated a series of proactive measures for action as adumbrated below - "This is what we NEED to do! We need to make the country unsuitable for thieves to own it. Security forces in Nigeria are generally more relaxed in the Yuletide season so we should use it to our advantage. Let all Nigerians stockpile food, water and fuel from now on to sustain them at least for a month. All civil servants and workers below the rank of Ministers and Perm-Secs should refuse to go back to work after Christmas regardless of whether the labour union leadership or NLC support them. All students from secondary school to the tertiary institutions should report to their schools and campuses but refuse to attend classes. Instead, they should form human walls around the institutions’ entrances. They do not need to wait for the compromised NANS or NUNS or ASUU to support them. Everyone is affected but the leaders are already compromised for crumbs and are no longer interested in the common welfare. All our transport workers, be it NURTW or otherwise should direct their members to mobilise and drive their vehicles to barricade all access points to the airports and police stations. For their safety, they should just lock their vehicles and leave them there until the action is over. All market men and women and traders should refuse to go to the markets. Rather, they should march top-naked to the palaces of the Obis, Obas, Emirs or other traditional rulers and their governors and demand the release of Ribadu from persecution, the impeachment of UMYA and Goodluck or their surrender of power. Nigerians, let us use Monday December 29, 2008 to demand our freedom from poverty, ignorance and hunger. It is our inalienable human right. Let us show our support for Ribadu and our hunger for a just future for ALL NIGERIANS by acting now. Please pass this message to as many people as you can. I will see you outside Aso Rock on Monday 29 December 2008. If they foil it this time, let us do it again every Monday until we achieve change for the better in Nigeria. They cannot kill all of us. It is time to act. God bless Nigeria." On the appointed day, of course there was no else outside of the driver that dropped me around the Three Arms Zone and my placard! This was what infuriated me into penning another article when I came back to the UK, titled "I Renounce My Nigerian Citizenship" also on NVS. Below is an excerpt from the said article - "The caricature of a colonial slave master, the relic of the colonial rule that you represent and the buffoonish clown that you flawlessly bear a resemblance to is so apparent in you as a, yes, Nigerian, who disdainfully look down on his very own because the fellow cannot lisp through his nose and would rather open his mouth widely to chant the words, ‘shokolokbangóshe’; is so obvious in the way you deride your fellow ignorant Nigerians who do not possess a lot of alphabets after their names; unlike you, who knows very well that the size of your medulla oblongata bears no correlation the alphanumeric letterings that you purchased to augment your own unimportant existence in life and to justify your pomposity and miserable existence in life. Yea, I say, shame on you, Nigerian! I boldly say this because I have seen the best of you. I have seen and know the mettle of the clueless and visionless gathering of vultures and carrion-eating cabal who leads you. I understand your vainglorious mindset that casts you as livestock waiting to dip your snouts in the trough of corruption. Yes, farm animals, you all are for all you do is grunt and squeal about your pathetic lot in life whilst you are led knowingly and unerringly to the abattoir for your own slaughter! If you like, you can moan and curse me for all the rightful nomenclature I have attached to your heritage. It will not bother me; the same way ALL your grunting and squealing has had no impact upon your leaders. The ruled and the rulers are no different in your country; thieves of the same inclinations – aves of the same plumage! I am not asking you, ham-fisted Nigerians, for your encomiums or vilifications for that matter because I know all that you can do is rant like ants, make storms in your tea cups and don the toga of super-cyber warriors without the guts to back your actions to words. I know you ALL lack the temerity to match your words to action and this are proven by the failure of two events in Nigeria towards the end of 2008. December 29 passed in Nigeria without anyone joining me outside of Aso Rock to demand for the liberation of your failed country from the shackles of a thieving brigandage and cabal called “government” in your country. Similarly, none of you made any fuss about the muzzling of the Nigeria Rally in Benue State organized by L. Shilgba. None of you ever raised an eyebrow when your best are hounded into jail or killed outright by your thieving elites. How could you, in any case, for you are all genetically malformed and deformed for the single purpose of being corrupt and awaiting the chance for perfidy." Now, quietswami, I hope I have answered your poser - "Begs the intriguing parody - where all assume the role of self-righteous social commentary - how is the distinction made between commentators and the commentated upon? Who are the "actors" and the "action directors"? Crucially, what is the "action"?!"? What will you do?

Kay Soyemi (Esq.)  # 8 | 14.07.2009 12:37

=abdulmumin;370919>You have said it all. The problems of Nigeria are its 'informed' people and by this I mean its elites who are ably represented on the NVS. Who can see no further than their various tribes or faiths (never mind that they do not adhere to the tenets). For them, every policy pronounceement or appointment is appraised only from their jaded perspective of tribe! Aside from the African continent, does the word 'tribe' feature in conversations held in the developed world? Fortunately for me, I do not count you as one of the Nigerians who measure matters affecting the country from that most narrowly defined angle of ethnicity or tribe!:shake: The word 'tribe' is a disingenous creation of the politicians to replace the imported words and ethics of British colonial "divide and rule". Little wonder Obama's people cannot aspire to rule in Kenya but can have one of their sons as the POTUS!

quietswami  # 9 | 14.07.2009 18:27

=Kay Soyemi (Esq.);371492>Well said, quietswami. I also acknowledged the fact that the Villagers are a veritable reflection of the larger Nigerian society, be they writers or readers. The same way I have written here, so would I be a reader of someone else's thoughts and musing - including your "Operation throw My Shoes". I did read thearticle with some amusement, albeit with some headshaking as it advocated activism at a safe distance! I declined to comment on the article as I thought it was somewhat reactive rather than proactive and probably at, best, of nuisance value. Now, quietswami, I hope I have answered your poser - "Begs the intriguing parody - where all assume the role of self-righteous social commentary - how is the distinction made between commentators and the commentated upon? Who are the "actors" and the "action directors"? Crucially, what is the "action"?!"? What will you do? Kay, The posting I referred to was not mine but was seeking your feedback on my response within the thread - a bit long-winded hence my hesitance to copy. Commend you on the action/s you've taken so far but - as I responded to the "operation throw my shoe..." posting - perhaps more strategising and planning may result in some form of sustaining "action". The challenge is real and stealthily formidable - sadly will not be solved by shoe-throwing nor placards! Such a challenge needs to be met smartly and intelligently. Do implore you to read the two postings in the thread as mentioned, and will be keen on your thoughts. The challenge cannot be solved by accusatory finger-pointing within the ranks but by organisation, and a common sense of purpose - all who are aware will act to varying degrees, from varying distance driven by conviction and rallying sense of committed sustainable action/s. True transformation cannot be achieved when we are overtaken by emotion but with clarity of thought, purpose, and vision - revenge is a dish served cold?! Not quite revenge but you get my drift!

Kay Soyemi (Esq.)  # 10 | 15.07.2009 16:57

=quietswami;371630>Kay, The posting I referred to was not mine but was seeking your feedback on my response within the thread - a bit long-winded hence my hesitance to copy. Commend you on the action/s you've taken so far but - as I responded to the "operation throw my shoe..." posting - perhaps more strategising and planning may result in some form of sustaining "action". The challenge is real and stealthily formidable - sadly will not be solved by shoe-throwing nor placards! Such a challenge needs to be met smartly and intelligently. Do implore you to read the two postings in the thread as mentioned, and will be keen on your thoughts. The challenge cannot be solved by accusatory finger-pointing within the ranks but by organisation, and a common sense of purpose - all who are aware will act to varying degrees, from varying distance driven by conviction and rallying sense of committed sustainable action/s. True transformation cannot be achieved when we are overtaken by emotion but with clarity of thought, purpose, and vision - revenge is a dish served cold?! Not quite revenge but you get my drift! Hello, quietswami. "Long-winded" is an understatement!:D But, damn me, it makes a lot of sense, once the heavy dosage of dogoturanchi is removed. Please accept my apologies for ascribing the article to you and like you, I had mistakenly been looking at the original article that provoked the second one that had your comments and failed to truly look at the spur. As I mentioned, yes, your response makes a lot of sense and dare I say, would almost certainly give comfort to a lot of the armchair critics and cyber-warriors. Grudgingly, I even accept it has more chances of success than mine confrontational approach. When I was advocating action at the end of last year, a couple of churches in America approached me with offers of monetary support which I declined and instead asked for warm bodies on the ground; I did not get a response back from either! Presently, a lot of guys are hinging their bets on the MEND boys and a lot of the other tribal bandings such as OPC, MASSOB, et al are hanging hoping to feed from the leftovers; and that is the problem of Nigeria. Self-interest over rides national interest. I would gladly put my money behind MEND if I had an idea what their end game is, outside of settlement and the breakup of the country. But does MEND truly know what it stands for? Sustained and strategic action would be very good in an ideal situation but in one where virtually every other Nigerian is viciously defending tribal corners, where would we draw the lines and start to move into operational mode? For illustration, the saga of looking at the Constitution by our lawmakers(?) became bogged down for the most menial of reasons - who sits on the throne? - as opposed to the more laudable aim of what results should we aspire to at the end of the review. I am not a pessimist, but where Nigerians are concerned, the cliché, "Talk is Cheap" rings even truer, hence my passion for direct action. As a singer wrote - "When I should grow Old I should be bold To say, I've been living the very life of my Own" If there is an effective alternative to jaw-jaw, I am all ready for it as there are many lessons in history that supports spontaneous action. The Bread Riots in Paris is but one and notably the most popular uprising! Maybe Naija needs the Gari Riots as well!

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