|
I can't recall exactly how I stumbled upon the NVS but I remember being very excited that I had found another internet site which devoted the time and effort to the various issues that affect our own dear native land, Nigeria. I was captured by the caption 'a market place of ideas ', which I thought was very witty to go with the village square theme.
So I signed on and became a villager, and looked forward to riveting articles and ideas that will impact positively on Nigerians. I found the first few articles and the ensuing comments full of humour and wit, which fed my nostalgia for the Nigerian humour I use to experience back in the days. Aside from this, I found it a good source of information on happenings in Nigeria and Nigerians in diaspora. There were many interesting articles too, written by sound articulate authors. I began to make my own contributions too. I even even introduced the site to another eloquent and dedicated Nigerian writer who has since become a frequent contributor.
However, as the village dust began to settle and my initial euphoria subsided, I began to notice the strange habits of some of the so-called villagers of the NVS. Partly in the thrust of some of the articles being written, but mostly the behaviour of some of the villagers who visit the site religiously. I began to notice that some had less than honourable intentions. In my view, these odd group of villagers tarnish the image of the NVS and rob it off its credibility. They are the reason my senses constantly wrestle with the notion that the NVS is truly a market place of ideas.
I have no doubt that the creators of this website had good intentions when they initially founded it. I do feel however, that certain individuals have hi-jacked the ethos of this forum. I know that many decent, objective and positive individuals also visit the site quite regularly. I believe it is their voice of reason and balance that helps the website retain some level of respectability. Their ultimate interest is the progress of Nigeria, and perhaps enjoying a little banter in the process. I feel the NVS should be grateful for this group of people. Without them, the NVS would have been in danger of just been viewed as a place where adult Nigerians act immaturely, engaging in pettiness, aggression and personal abuses.
If passing visitors hang around long enough they are bound to observe the sinister side of the NVS. They will observe a pattern of behaviour of some villagers that is less than respectable nor commendable. They will read articles and comments by people who seem incapable of writing or stating anything positive. Comment after comment is filled with negative, provocative, abusive and prejudiced sentiments, it makes one wonder what their personal lives must be like. For it is impossible to constantly express so much negativity if one has a sane, loving and harmonious personal live.
The group of people to whom I refer, seldom, if at all, share their view points by writing their own articles. They just wait for others to do so, then unleash a tirade of spiteful comments, hiding behind the cloak of the 'Right To Reply'. They are mostly attracted by sensational and derogatory articles, but in the absence of these will dabble into any forum with the sole intent of rattling the cage. Only they know the uncanny pleasure they derive from these antics. One thing is clear though, Internet forums like this have become a haven for individuals who probably live very insecure and uneventful lives.
It is obvious that most villagers reside abroad, and so perhaps some feel of little relevance in their daily world. But here in this virtual world their relevance is restored. They could be anything they want to be - brave warriors, agitators, invincible humans, take your pick. The NVS becomes an avenue for them to stroke their egos and reinvigorate their relevance in society. Small men suddenly become big, chiding and cutting down others at the slightest opportunity. Some of their thought processes show the many obstacles Nigeria still needs to overcome to find its rightful footing. These people never proffer solutions, just endless barrage of negative statements. They seem irritated by positive news, whilst almost rejoicing at Nigeria's failures. Comments are laced with tribal and religious undertones that permeates everything they write. Whilst many are back home doing their very best to build a better nation, they are on the outside doing everything they can to keep her down.
I am not saying that people should not criticize, just that we have a duty to be fair, factual, objective and balanced when doing so. The aim should be to correct wrongs so that we can move progressively forwards. Nigeria stands at a threshold of real positive change. What we need are active contributors and constructive criticisms. Not people who have scores to settle or need their egos massaged. And if we can't be active contributors, let's strive to at least be active supporters and a voice of reason and encouragement sometimes.
Unfortunately some regular authors of the NVS are part of this sect. Instead of using their position positively, they seem forever trapped in a whirlwind of negative writing. With beautifully articulated rhetoric, they instigate and inflame the passions of those who are easily swayed by emotive, sentimental and divisive subject matters. Article after article comes draped in the same worn-out cloak of unrelenting negativity, their talents wasted on festering discord, tribal sentiments and misunderstanding. They always seem to tow the line of skepticism, pessimism and fatalism. Every public office holder has a hidden unwholesome agenda. They attack the few who are doing their utmost to bring about positive change, then strangely become mum concerning the real wrongdoers.
Some writers become so fixated on the problem instead of the solution. Fixed on yesterday instead of tomorrow, beating the same old drum of hate and dissatisfaction over and over again. They just refuse to see any progress where Nigeria is concerned, even though it is obvious that the nation is experiencing growth in many different spheres. Only recently, the first Nigerian film just premiered in London's West End., showing how far our movie industry has come. What about the fashion and music industries! Our financial sector, the banks and stock exchange. Nigerian banks have set up branches in London, whilst some have been listed on the London Stock Exchange. Yet all some villagers bring to the table is constant negativity, their cups overflowing with bitterness and resentment.
I hope the true essence of what the NVS is supposed to be about is recaptured. It risks becoming just a platform for fragile egos to cause tensions and deepen tribal, religious or whatever sentiments. Some of these serial hardline critics of Nigeria can do us all a favour if they would only go back home and vie for political office so they can show us how things should be done. Instead they sit back in the safety and comfort of their foreign abodes knocking Nigeria from every angle at every given opportunity. Personal, hate-filled attacks become the weapon of choice, dislodging all sense of fairness, fact and logic. When a writer is fuelled by hatred and disdain for a particular subject or individual, he or she becomes incapable of articulating his or her viewpoints with any sense of proportion. Now that can't be writing or journalism that endears respect.
The level of tribal antagonism that goes on the NVS is quite astonishing, and supposedly from people who live in developed and civilised environments. I wonder why this behaviour comes so naturally to some. I guess you can take the man outta the gutter but you can't take the gutter outta the man. How about relating to people based on the content of their character and not their tribe and tongue. The list of Nigerians I admire cut across age, gender, profession, ethnic and religious denominations. Just for the records here are some of them - Sunny Ade, Chimamanda Adiche, Umar Musa Yar Adua, Dora Akinyulli, Ben Murray Bruce, Gbenga Daniels, Donald Duke, Oby Ezekweli, John Fashanu, Yakubu Gowon, Cecilia Ibru, Tu Face Idibia, Soni & Betty Irabor, Goodluck Jonathan, Nwankwo Kanu, Olusegun Obasanjo, I.D. & Kenny Ogungbe, Nuhu Ribadu, Charles Soludo, El Rufai, Yemi Tella, Segun Olushola, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Samson Sia Sia, Alistair Soyode, Yemi Tella, Bamagar Tukur, and much more than I can possibly list here.
I chose to focus on people who are still living as if I was to recall the dead the list will go on forever. I included Yemi Tella because his death is quite recent and his achievements still very fresh in our consciousness. These are people I consider worthy contributors to the Nigerian state. They are all not from my immediate backyard, just Nigerians doing what they can to uplift the country to higher heights.
My friends, we must replace old-fashioned ways with new progressive and empowering ones. We must imbibe the notion of being our brother's keeper. Nigeria is an extremely blessed nation in many respects. Why God decided to bless us with great soil for agriculture, numerous mineral resources and talented people I don't know. The oil in the Delta region could easily have been gifted to Cameroun or Togo next door. But by some ingenious stroke of natural fate it was given to Nigeria. The fact that we've been able to hold ourselves together for this long without any major upheaval since the civil war of the 60s is quite an achievement. Our major problems have been in the area of leadership and the mindset of many Nigerians. By leadership, I mean that from all quarters, not just at the presidential level.
It is time to wake up and see the strength in our diversity, instead of fanning the flames of religious and tribal intolerance. As for the sinister villagers of the NVS, it is clear that they need prayers to overcome issues of negativity, unbridled hate, tribalism and complexes borne out of a camouflaged insecurity. It is up to the well-meaning villagers to administer these prayers to them, lest they themselves get drawn into the same climate of hate and antagonism.
May God bless Nigeria and all Nigerians.
|
RSS Feeds | Podcasts
Posted by Robot| 23.10.2007 09:34