Nigeria is a hellish nation. An unorganised, dysfunctional,  “animal farm”  where nothing, absolutely nothing works. It was no surprise when in spite of record oil earnings, Nigeria retained her unenviable long running and shameful position as the world’s 3^rd poorest nation.

These days I have come to accept, painfully though, after much soul searching, that blacks are actually inferior to all other races of mankind. My reasons are self evident. Those who choose to accept the truth will probably come to the same conclusions. The decision not to bury my head in the sand as most Nigerians would, and pretend that all is well with the Blackman is a conscious one. I also realise, that only in accepting the obvious truth, that changes can be made.

Absence Of Homogeneity, And 36 Years Of Destructive Northern Rule:

While we accept the obvious fact that the North played a critical role, in the ultimate “animalisation” and destruction of Nigeria, it however remains a function of our inferiority as black folks, that we allowed such a people, who are neither refined, focused, ambitious, nor hardworking to rule us. It is tantamount to allowing blind men to lead men with sight, or mad men to lead sane men.

Though many hypocrites and opportunists might deny it, it nonetheless remains a fact, that an absence of relative homogeneity constitutes a major fundamental obstacle in Nigerian and many African societies. But it again constitutes another plank of our inferiority as black folks, that in more than 4 decades of troubled, hateful, and bloody co-existence, which has willy-nilly arrested our development, we have not been able to nurture or create practical structures to accommodate our differences and enhance our union.

The Making Of A Failed State: 

Nigeria is a classic example of the Blackman‘s predicament, bordering on a somewhat inherent inability to organize in the least, a functional harmonious society. A nation loaded with fresh water, yet there is no portable drinking water for it’s people, a nation with probably the world’s most fertile soil, yet there is no food for it’s people, a nation with abundant rivers, lakes, and sunshine, yet there is no electricity for it’s people, a nation that is the 6^th largest oil producer, yet petroleum is imported and sold at exorbitant prices, a nation whose leaders are Nigerians, yet it’s people are treated with contempt, a nation not at war, yet it’s people are frequently massacred by the Police and Armed forces paid to protect them, a nation with world class intellectuals, yet mediocre equivalent of motor park touts (agbero) constitute the leadership, a nation with problems whose simple solutions are known, yet it’s people choose to be running around in circles, a nation where human beings live like pigs, with very dirty damning environments, a nation where human life lacks any value, a nation where there is more hatred, than love, a nation so rich, yet so poor!

 As the most populous black nation on planet earth, the failings and disaster in Nigeria no doubt mirrors the rest of the black race. I have often asked this question; why cant we just get it right, since we do not need to reinvent the wheel? Why is it that all other nations, from Asia, the middle East, to Western Europe are more progressive and functional than black African nations? Why is it that the more money we make, the poorer we become? What is keeping us perpetually down? Is there really any viable excuse for our predicament, if not our seeming pathological inability to help ourselves? Every so often one is assaulted with images of Africans dying of hunger, disease, or conflict in our television sets, or roadside billboards here in the western world begging for alms. When will this shameful dehumanisation end, if ever?

 A simple trip to South-Africa, Malaysia, Dubai, or Cairo will convince any doubting Thomas, as to the level of backwardness or inferiority of the Blackman. South-Africa just like Nigeria is an African nation, but because it was hitherto being administered by whites, the difference is breathtaking. They have modern functional cities comparable to any you would find in western Europe, so also is Malaysia whose economy is dependent on palm oil, which incidentally was taken from Nigeria. Dubai and Cairo are Arab cities also as functional and organized as any in the western hemisphere.

Just imagine if Nigeria were inhabited by whites with all it’s resources, it would undoubtedly be one of the richest and most beautiful nations in the world. The problem with Nigeria is not the location, but the lesser mortals who inhabit it. A friend of mine was telling me the other day, that if all Nigerians moved to America, and all Americans moved to Nigeria, in 10 years the Nigerians who took over America will be rushing back to Nigeria to do “Aduro”, as the Americans who settled in Nigeria would have transformed the nation, while the Nigerians who settled in America would have wreaked havoc on the place, such that there would no longer be regular electricity, pipe borne water et al.

We now have a situation where crude oil is being sold at record prices, yet Nigerians are reeling in damning poverty. I almost wept the last time I went to Nigeria. People barely exist in subhuman conditions, and it’s getting progressively worse. In other climes, such bumper harvest coming in from crude oil sales will be used transparently to better the life of the people, and upgrade infrastructure.

The difference between man and animals, is the ability to dialogue, solve problems, and have law and order. Our inability to dialogue and resolve the contradictions in our heterogeneous society, creatively evolve a unique peculiarly Nigerian structure to accommodate the differences, create a highly progressive, functional and compassionate society, have strong standards and a no nonsense system of law and order, are undeniable proofs of our inferiority as a people, as compared to other races. I dare say we Negroes and the Nigerian in particular remains largely at the same level with animals.

Comrade Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu

Email:lawrencenwobu@yahoo.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 Nigeria is a hellish nation. An unorganised, dysfunctional, “animal farm” wher...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 03.09.2006 21:50

Exxcuzme  Villager

# 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I dare say we Negroes and the Nigerian in particular remains largely at the same level with animals. __________________________________________________________________________ If you can write the above statement, next time Ozodi Osuji write against ndigbo, you should not criticize him. I don't begrudge your viewpoint since most of us think what you write when we are perplexed, angry, hopeless and powerless when we see all these things going on. But if you can chill out, you will realize you don’t have to write when you are emotional. Chill out bro; let the change start with you. Why don’t you start looking for like-minded individuals who think they can make a change and start trying to make a change? If you think you cannot work with other people, try leaning to be a sniper. Imagine you all alone are able to take out Babaginda, Baba Iyabo, Athiefku, Uba, Nzeribe, Buhari and Adedibu? Imagine! You would have performed a great service to all chicken hearts and many Nigerians! No bro...we are animals...we are just disorganized and lily-livered to make the necessary change. Posted by Exxcuzme| 04.09.2006 00:36

Naija for life  Villager

# 3 Nwobu, Thanks for your succinct and pointed condemnation of the indifference of the black race to its sustenance and survival. The race that consumes everything but produces nothing, and indeed revels in its industrial and enterpreneural impotence. In this age of ubiquitous information, when previously inconsequential nations are ascending into geopolitical primacy, black nations remain mired in self induced backwardness, gleefully ceding their national resources to foreigners as Nigeria has repeatedly done with China and India. Yet black people the world over affect the most elaborate swaggers, as if the mere banal circumstance of being Negroes entitles them to celebration and veneration. Thanks again for your bold presentation of uncomfortable truths. Posted by Naija for life| 04.09.2006 00:46

Palamedes  Villager

# 4 To: NVS Administrator Dear Sir, I wonder if this article is your idea of freedom of expression. I cannot imagine any newspaper, journal, website that will tolerate such level of insults heaved at the race of its readers and audience. This sort of articles can drive away sponsors and advertisers. The great lie is that it is acceptable to insult one's own people. If that were true would Lawrence Chinedu Nwobu welcome with grace insult to his ethnic group, his father, mother, grand parents, siblings, uncle, aunt, death or alive – something I am tempted to do but resisted for good taste. that blacks are actually inferior to all other races of mankind. My reasons are self-evident. we Negroes and the Nigerian in particular remains largely at the same level with animals. absence of relative homogeneity ... constitutes another plank of our inferiority as black folks, What stops some white supremacist from citing this article, published on an African-owned website, as one more evidence to support their claims of supremacy? Publication of the article on NVS is the worst decision that you can ever make as an administrator. There are many of us who work hard to promote our race only for some adolescent mind with your help to throw spanner into the works. Freedom of expression is not absolute, you know - never been absolute in any country, not even in the USA and the UK. Where do one start to answer this article, how can one? One would first have to prepare him by giving him history, politics and economics lessons, at secondary school class-one level, of Africa, America, and Europe, before anything else. It is sad that he is the product of Nigerian education that did not teach him to feel good about himself, appreciate his history and struggles. Consequently, when exposed to the West, he is mesmerized by it, so much so, he accept as true that the West was made overnight, that it never had its own struggles, wars, corruptions, development life cycles. Here again, his inability to observe and THINK is the result of his Nigerian education that promotes cramming rather than thinking. Sir, Administrator, I am not one to call for censorship or stifle debates – not even one written by grown up with adolescent outlooks, but this article goes beyond the pale and should never have been allowed on this site. Yours faithfully, Palamedes Posted by Palamedes| 04.09.2006 05:06

IBIEDUN

# 5 Palamedes, I support your observations in total but at the same time I excuse the "defeated blackman syndrone"suffered by some of our brothers and sisters who are exposed to the daily media assault on black people and seemingly enlightened black minds in the west. Although I am least concerned about what an average redneck or racist will do with this information but it is a shame to hear this kind of attack from within our midst. Inspite of the self-condemnation we have to accept that in some ways we as a race have some serious deficits that need seeing to. We are the most brutalised, most abused and dehumanised people in the world and our travails came from the fact that we cannot organise, dialogue and agree amongst ourselves. Our modern day material poverty, hunger and so on has undoubtedly exacerbated our condition and brought us down to animal level. The average African mind needs rejuvination and bringing to the modern world. How do you explain African men (black men) stealing billions of dollars and stashing same in a foreign bank account whilst denying their own people the basic necessities of life and their dignity? We are not animals but we have peculiar cronic problems. Ibiedun Posted by IBIEDUN| 04.09.2006 05:55

Tony  Villager

# 6 @Palamedes: Your deep seated tribalism is being daily exposed in this site. When one Igbo impersonator Osuji singled out Ndigbo and wrote a terrible hateful article, did you complain? Of course you did not complain, because it satisfied your tribal bias. Now that the author here, has written a factual constructive commentary on the predicament of the black race, which is something that all of us know, even though we pretend, you are up in arms, even going as far,as wanting to impede the freedom of expression, that has made this site the best. As i am writing, Indians and Chinese are taking over our economy. Dont you even have an iota of shame, that common Indians who a few years back were flocking to teach in Nigeria, are now the one's controlling your economy and calling the shots? There is abundant evidence to support what the article is saying. All black African nations have K leg, even Haiti in farway Carribean is just as bad. This article should incite us to take our destiny in our hands. 2007 is approaching, choose Donald Duke, Nuhu Ribadu, or Dora Akunyili for the presidency so that the much needed change can begin. And by the way, come down from your Palamedian heights and use your real name for once.I consider those who hide behide a fake name to criticise others as cowards, who would not be able to do that one on one. Cheers Tony Okocha Posted by Tony| 04.09.2006 06:46

Ishola

# 7 The best response here so far is from Palamedes. Mr Tony, if you and your brother who wrote the article are so much in love with the idea of being slaves to a so-called white man, why not take yourselves off to italy for a start? The italian is not only interested in female prostitues you know... Ones like yourself can also find gainful employment. As for the lunatic who wrote the piece of trash that started all this off, why not just end it all? You are obviously so full of self-hatred that it overflows, covering everything and every body that reminds you of what you see in the mirror everyday. The advice to go study history and the economic/social arrangements that led us to where we are today is wasted on ones like yourself. People like you are filled to the brim with mis-education and so, can find no use for reality. Ishola Posted by Ishola| 04.09.2006 08:28

Abraxas  Villager

# 8 Hi, folks! By the powers conferred on me, and in line with the desire of all rational, reasonable, free speech-loving, and fun-addicted Villagers that peace, unity, good faith, and progress should prevail in the Square, at all times, I am very constrained to enlighten and direct all bona fide Villagers as follows: (1) As often as possible, utilize the “IGNORE LIST” facility that has been generously provided by the Village Square Administrator. Please rest assured that, by the creative and effective use of this facility, the quality of deliberations on the Square would be significantly enhanced ultimately. (2) If you require further tutorials on how to maximally benefit from the efficient utilization of the “IGNORE LIST” facility, please feel free to enquire from the Village Square Administrator (Attention: Mr. Admin 2.) (3) As much as possible, try to resist the near-irresistible temptation of wanting to comment on the person of a fellow commentator, and restrict your comments to the subject matter under consideration, or if need be, on the originator of the subject matter, but NOT on your fellow commentators (unless provoked!): Kill the message, NOT the messenger! (4) If unduly provoked, or lured into mindless trading or ping-ponging of insults, or bored, or unimpressed, please refer to (1) above, or log off from the NVS website completely, for as long as you deem fit. (5) If necessary communicate your objections to the person of a fellow commentator, or trade insults via the NVS private mail facility. So, in summary, what the above decree seeks to achieve are to: (1) Maximize derivable information or knowledge by focusing deliberations around the subject matter of a thread. (2) Minimize the tendency for the complete derailment of focus on the subject matter of a thread as a result of seemingly deliberate injection of personality-centred (ad-hominem) digressions by some commentators. Consequently, I hereby further advice all bona fide Villagers to, please, for the sake of the indivisibility, corporate existence, harmony and whatever of the Nigerian Village Square, kindly include the author of this piece in their respective “IGNORE LIST”. Thank you very much for your kind and VOLUNTARY compliance with my minor request, my compatriots, and best regards. Muchas gracias. Posted by Abraxas| 04.09.2006 08:43

bababoyz  Villager

# 9 A thought provoking and well articulated article, and if I may add, there are many times my thought process are just exactly what the author has expressed here. I found it funny the expressed opinions of those who see the article as debasement to “their” race, because all what are contained in the article is nothing but factual statements that are supported , and reflected vividly in all practicality of daily living in mostly all black nations on the surface of the earth. Unfortunately, our collective “state of denial” is part of our greatest undoing. I salute the courage of the author in saying it as he sees it, though I may not have used some of his wordings or denominated it the way he did, but candidly speaking I shared the sentiments of the writer. Posted by bababoyz| 04.09.2006 09:24

Oghre  Villager

# 10 A most benighted generalisation of the black race! I am sure England was described as inferior back in the times when they were under the roman empire, America was described a s a land of barbarians 200 years ago when Britain presided over its territories. Ireland attained independence in 1921/22 and it took 85 years to arrive at where they are today, they were described as inferior to other white races and now, they have become a “developed economy”, the transformation of 2nd world war (50 years or so ago) countries like Germany and Japan was with much help from other western societies, help that is not readily available to black nations. It is not rocket science to know that many white societies actually want black nations to remain impoverished so their economies will continue to flourish with our cheap natural resources and slave labour. The same way the white western world does not want Iran to develop nuclear weapons, which will upset the balance of power in the Middle East. Our situation is about power play and that is why many black who are put in a level playing field excel above the “superior whites” You will find that in history many races (including whites) where conquered, colonised, and enslaved. The most recent case (in present times) relates to blacks. Writing rubbish like this, is not the way forward, Blacks will get their act together as you can see with the improvements going on in all societies. You claim we are not making progress yet we seem to have more awareness by the masses calling for corruption to be ruled out, finding ways to remove poverty and disease. People are starting to identify with the problems facing the black race more so than ever before and are raising dialogue to resolve them. Ben Posted by Oghre| 04.09.2006 10:22

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