On the Flight from New York to London

By

Phil Tam-Al Alalibo

I was well settled into my seat, a window seat overlooking the left wing of the imposing Boeing plane laden with passengers. Inexplicably, I always make sure that I sit by the window when I fly. The view from above is always breath-taking, availing of the wonders of God. This appreciation (of God’s wonder) becomes more enhanced when descending as the plane lords over the lush greeneries and organic elements of mother earth. But most importantly, perhaps, it is this innate feeling that has always presided over me that I would have some control should anything go array. At 33,000 feet above sea level, anyone is allowed to have unrealistic and unattainable notions of what they can do however inconceivable and impossible that may be.

For the trip, I had two books, The Moth Kingdom by Blessing Otobo, a periodic commentator on www.nigeriavillagesquare.com and Chinua Achebe’s book, The Trouble with Nigeria. Having settled down and awaiting the pre take-off formalities, I reached into my brief case and retrieved Achebe’s book published in 1983, the only one of his many works I have not read.

Opening it, a seemingly young African-American lady claimed the seat adjacent to me across the small aisle. We exchanged glances briefly as she struggled to unload her carry-on luggage into the overhead bin. She was not a very tall lady even with the benefit of an outrageously high pair of heels that appeared to have clayed her back-heel muscles. She eventually asked if I could help her. Of course, I listened to the dictates of gentlemanliness and gave a lending hand. This gesture broke the ice between us and for much of the trip we were locked in discourse, except for moments when I dozed off momentarily only to be woken by the hostess serving coffee and snacks.

After settling into her seat, she looked at the book I had in my hands and began the conversation by stating she was surprised the book was only a few pages long. I was at a loss at this unexpected statement and her attempt at dialogue. I begged for an explanation.

“What do you mean, Yvonne?” I inquired, spiritedly.  

"Come on now,” she offered with a sarcastic mien, as though she had known me eternally, “if we are to list the trouble with Nigeria which I suppose is your country, we both know that the list would be longer than this plane and if it were to be written in a book, the pages would be quite a few hundred." I agreed instantly, even though moved to mount my defensive embers, I was demoralized and had to accept the truth. This was painful and coming from an outsider who hitherto seemed disconnected with the realities of Nigeria , made the stakes even higher.

“I hope you will have a peaceful transition” she stated with elevated intrigue. “That is, if your president will leave as promised”, she added with much lassitude.

“It remains to be seen if he would leave office,” I said. “The odds are against him and if he does not leave, he would bear the consequences.”

“And those would be," she asked with inflated arrogance.

“The collective wrath of the Nigerian people not to mention the international community which is watching Nigeria closely,” I stated as the neatly dressed British Airways hostesses prepared the cabin for take off with the announcement of extinction of cell phones and other like gadgets.

“Every country has stumbled on the path to greatness but Nigeria ’s case is just too much and the irony is that you have the people and the resources to be the greatest country of all. You are really abusing your resources.”

“You are preaching to the choir,” I retorted. “May I ask how you know so much about Nigeria ,” I asked with great curiosity.

“I teach African politics at the City University and have visited Nigeria twice. This will be my third trip.”

“You mean you are on your way to Nigeria now?”

“Yes, for a conference on sub-Sahara Africa in Abuja hosted by some regional NGOs and supported by the African Development Bank.”

“Interesting…”

She is right the problem with Nigeria is a chronic one that defies all logic. At times, we behave with such primitive alacrity as though there were no educated ones amongst us. In my discussion with her, it was clear what is needed in Nigeria is a deliberate and calculated purge of the system and the old guards and a fervent reevaluation of our core values as a nation. The imposition of Yar’ Adua on PDP in flagrant violation of all ethos of democracy remains an indelible example of the dearth of principled leadership in the country.

Even in 1983 when Achebe wrote his book, he could predict with the foresight of a prophet Nigeria ’s predicament more than twenty years later. Achebe told of the lack of vision and the avaricious deposition of our leaders leading invariably to a confused polity that is at ample conflict with itself. This was the same chaotic scene described aptly by Karl Maier; an American from Kentucky , in his book, This House Has Fallen. He described how Nigerians live under impossible circumstances that would break the spirit of others in most parts of the world. In many ways, Maier called Nigerians cowards for their permission of such brazen imposition of death and misery on them by their rulers. Even though by that statement he alluded to the resilience of Nigerians, he asked a pertinent question – why would the elite not cater to the masses since it would be in their best interest from the standpoint of productive working class?

Ours, is society that hardly works; nothing is in place and the Nigerian is used to it as he knows that he if complains, it would hardly change the status quo.  If he cries, he would have to cry harder, if he tries to change the state of affairs for the better, he would hit a roadblock. He lives in a country with erratic power supply, yet he lives on making the best of it with alternate power supply such as generators, candlelights, lanterns, bonfires and what have you. He lives in a country where there is hardly any security, yet he lives on using his ingenuity to survive. He lives in a country that is the largest oil supplier on the continent, yet he cannot drive his car because of fuel scarcity. He lives in a country where the government is corrupt and public service means opportunity to defraud government, yet he carries on the best way he can. He lives in a country where you will have to bribe your way to survive, yet he lives on bribing, surviving and bribing again. Maier noted that in spite of the “extreme circumstances Nigerians have to live in, they find a means to survive."  And that is the awesome intrigue of a nation.

Well into the air by this time and achieving a high cruising altitude above the Atlantic shorelines of New York with the hostesses preparing a complimentary beverage servings, Yvonne took my attention away from Achebe’s book as she asked;

“The irony, Phil,” she noted with acquiescent deposition, and I expected the worst, “is that the author of this book is living in the US away from those troubles. When will you intellectuals in the West, the elites, return to rid your country of that trouble Achebe is talking about?”

I thought for a while, and riposted;

“This is a question for the Nigerian elite as you can see I am flying economy class and therefore do not fall into that category.” At this, we both laughed even as the pilot announced that we had achieved the desired cruising level (33,000) assuring us of an uneventful flight.  

With that, I slept off and forgot Nigeria.

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 11.01.2007 16:38

Exxcuzme  Villager

# 2 _______________________________________________________________________ This appreciation (of God’s wonder) becomes more enhanced when descending as the plane lords over the lush greeneries and organic elements of mother earth. _______________________________________________________________________ You cannot say this of Lagos.......the most despicable scenery I have ever seen. Posted by Exxcuzme| 11.01.2007 19:07

nero africanus  Villager

# 3 =Exxcuzme;148427> _______________________________________________________________________ This appreciation (of God’s wonder) becomes more enhanced when descending as the plane lords over the lush greeneries and organic elements of mother earth. _______________________________________________________________________ You cannot say this of Lagos.......the most despicable scenery I have ever seen. the scenery over any major city paris , london new york . it is not exactly wonderful Posted by nero africanus| 11.01.2007 19:22

Auspicious  Villager

# 4 She is right the problem with Nigeria is a chronic one that defies all logic. At times, we behave with such primitive alacrity as though there were no educated ones amongst us. In my discussion with her, it was clear what is needed in Nigeria is a deliberate and calculated purge of the system and the old guards and a fervent reevaluation of our core values as a nation. Key Words: *Purge, *Old Guards. Perhaps, the highlighed thought was what Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon sought to achieve in December 1983, when they came on board and decapitated the 'democratic' government of Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari. It seemed to me that the duo wanted to carry out a calculated purge of the system and the old guards" and use the force of arms to instill discipline, accountability, law and order in a polity that had already gone to the dogs - at a time when we needed someone to beat common sense into our psyche! But they were too nice! They trusted Gappy, the Thief of Minna, who came and stabbed them in the back and ruined everything; giving way for the next 16 years of Zombie-Oh-Zombie! It wasn't Buhari's fault; it was Chuky's (Babangida's) fault! It was Chuky that gave rise to the Seed of Chuky (Abacha)! If we were to narrow things down to apportioning blame on those who interrupted civil governance, we would blame it all on the guys who carried out the first coup that toppled the Tafawa Balewa government. Since those guys had revolutionary intent too, we wouldn't blame them either. I maintain my recently adopted position; that this country needs a tough hand to handle it! Not a rookie politician or a neophyte - no! We need a Muhammadu Buhari to come in as a civilian President TODAY! Some say he is not a true democrat; so who is a true democrat? Is it Pat Utomi, who will be chewed-up and spat out like gum by Nigeria's roaring and unpredictable political lions? Is it Yar'Adua, who like Shagari, will be a puppet to be controlled by the strings that 'Awon Oninkan' (The Owners) have attached to his limbs? Who? Who else has been more consistent, simple, couragious, corruption-free, spartan, commanding and focused than Buhari?!? Who else has the closest to what is required in solid clout, command, integrity and honesty - the strong revolutionary appeal that is so desperately needed to free us from the stranglehold of the same political establisment that has chocked us since independence? The person is no one else but Buhari! Let Buhari find himself a solid technocrat like Utomi for Vice-President and rule for at least a single term like South Africa's Nelson Mandela, and hand over to Pat to continue from where he left-off! That would be a wonderful example! But then again..this is Nigeria...where beautiful dreams hardly ever materialize! If such things don't happen in Nigeria, the only way out of the quagmire is a violent revolution. Period! Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 11.01.2007 19:48

Robot  Villager

# 5 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 11.01.2007 16:38

Exxcuzme  Villager

# 6 _______________________________________________________________________ This appreciation (of God’s wonder) becomes more enhanced when descending as the plane lords over the lush greeneries and organic elements of mother earth. _______________________________________________________________________ You cannot say this of Lagos.......the most despicable scenery I have ever seen. Posted by Exxcuzme| 11.01.2007 19:07

nero africanus  Villager

# 7 =Exxcuzme;148427> _______________________________________________________________________ This appreciation (of God’s wonder) becomes more enhanced when descending as the plane lords over the lush greeneries and organic elements of mother earth. _______________________________________________________________________ You cannot say this of Lagos.......the most despicable scenery I have ever seen. the scenery over any major city paris , london new york . it is not exactly wonderful Posted by nero africanus| 11.01.2007 19:22

Auspicious  Villager

# 8 She is right the problem with Nigeria is a chronic one that defies all logic. At times, we behave with such primitive alacrity as though there were no educated ones amongst us. In my discussion with her, it was clear what is needed in Nigeria is a deliberate and calculated purge of the system and the old guards and a fervent reevaluation of our core values as a nation. Key Words: *Purge, *Old Guards. Perhaps, the highlighed thought was what Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon sought to achieve in December 1983, when they came on board and decapitated the 'democratic' government of Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari. It seemed to me that the duo wanted to carry out a calculated purge of the system and the old guards" and use the force of arms to instill discipline, accountability, law and order in a polity that had already gone to the dogs - at a time when we needed someone to beat common sense into our psyche! But they were too nice! They trusted Gappy, the Thief of Minna, who came and stabbed them in the back and ruined everything; giving way for the next 16 years of Zombie-Oh-Zombie! It wasn't Buhari's fault; it was Chuky's (Babangida's) fault! It was Chuky that gave rise to the Seed of Chuky (Abacha)! If we were to narrow things down to apportioning blame on those who interrupted civil governance, we would blame it all on the guys who carried out the first coup that toppled the Tafawa Balewa government. Since those guys had revolutionary intent too, we wouldn't blame them either. I maintain my recently adopted position; that this country needs a tough hand to handle it! Not a rookie politician or a neophyte - no! We need a Muhammadu Buhari to come in as a civilian President TODAY! Some say he is not a true democrat; so who is a true democrat? Is it Pat Utomi, who will be chewed-up and spat out like gum by Nigeria's roaring and unpredictable political lions? Is it Yar'Adua, who like Shagari, will be a puppet to be controlled by the strings that 'Awon Oninkan' (The Owners) have attached to his limbs? Who? Who else has been more consistent, simple, couragious, corruption-free, spartan, commanding and focused than Buhari?!? Who else has the closest to what is required in solid clout, command, integrity and honesty - the strong revolutionary appeal that is so desperately needed to free us from the stranglehold of the same political establisment that has chocked us since independence? The person is no one else but Buhari! Let Buhari find himself a solid technocrat like Utomi for Vice-President and rule for at least a single term like South Africa's Nelson Mandela, and hand over to Pat to continue from where he left-off! That would be a wonderful example! But then again..this is Nigeria...where beautiful dreams hardly ever materialize! If such things don't happen in Nigeria, the only way out of the quagmire is a violent revolution. Period! Auspicious. Posted by Auspicious| 11.01.2007 19:48

Unregistre  Villager

# 9 =Auspicious;148434>Key Words: Is it Yar'Adua, who like Shagari, will be a puppet to be controlled by the strings that 'Awon Oninkan' (The Owners) have attached to his limbs? Who? Who else has been more consistent, simple, couragious, corruption-free, spartan, commanding and focused than Buhari?!? Who else has the closest to what is required in solid clout, command, integrity and honesty - the strong revolutionary appeal that is so desperately needed to free us from the stranglehold of the same political establisment that has chocked us since independence? Corruption free indeed!!; is this not the same Buhari whom under Obasanjos' administration (1976 - 1979) stole 2.8 billion naira along with his boss Obasanjo. Obasanjo obviously used his share of the loot to set up Ota farm, else explain where a soldier got the money to set up a farm of such magnitude? Is this not the same Buhari whom as a head of state 28 suitcases(or so...) passed through Muritala Mohammed Airport; the last time he was questioned on this, he responded that they should direct the question to Atiku because Atiku was head of Customs during the period; corruption free my foot. The person is no one else but Buhari! Let Buhari find himself a solid technocrat like Utomi for Vice-President and rule for at least a single term like South Africa's Nelson Mandela, and hand over to Pat to continue from where he left-off! That would be a wonderful example! But then again..this is Nigeria...where beautiful dreams hardly ever materialize! If such things don't happen in Nigeria, the only way out of the quagmire is a violent revolution. Period! Auspicious. Happy to realize that you know it is Nigeria where beutiful dreams hardly ever materialize, so go on with your advice as if anyone cares. Posted by Unregistre| 11.01.2007 23:30

malcolm12398  Villager

# 10 Na wah, I reply to this article this morning, I wonder why the thing no show. I dey wonder say where Sabella dey, I no know say you dey my backyard dey enjoy. If to say I know say you dey here for TX I for come carry you go TACO CABANA, as I no know say you dey now, you don save me money. So you self dey fear! Na wah. Welcome back Michael Ewetuga Posted by malcolm12398| 12.01.2007 00:17

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