In the early 1960s (before the civil war), Nigeria was a highly respected and happy society. During that period, people were either in honest businesses or working in government. It was honesty and hard work that identified and distinguished people from one another. The nationalists who fought for Nigeria’s independence were persons of integrity, ideals, vision, and focus, as the brought their individual acumen into administration. There was transparency and accountability in the public sector, as the dogged and pragmatic leaders were working for the welfare of the masses. The youths were serious with education and there was discipline in schools. And, there was employment for graduates and national spirit was upbeat. Nigerians were respected overseas, and everyone was pleased to be identified as a Nigerian.

Unfortunately, things changed with the advent of military rule, which implanted corruption and scandalous exhibition of leadership ineptitude. With the reprise of civil rule the politicians could not change the corruption-culture, as many of them are today known for being very corrupt, and robbing the society with impunity. The candle lit by the founding heroes has been extinguished, and today the image of Nigeria has been battered. And, Nigerians (in and outside the shores) are being looked at with suspicion.

Recently, the CNN ran documentary on criminal activities of some Nigerians in Houston, and some "patriotic" Nigerians have condemned the report and demanded apology from the media house. They think that the report was a plot against Nigeria, as it denigrated and disparaged the image of Nigeria. However, this writer (who is not by any means a less patriotic Nigerian) does not believe the report was a plot against Nigeria, and wondered why they are angry with the CNN for saying the truth. The profiles of the criminals were well documented and they are not denying that they committed the crimes. More important, the report did not say that all Nigerians are criminals. And, the "patriots" argued that Nigerians are not the only ‘corrupt’ group in the Diaspora, and, therefore, should not be singled out for such "jaundiced" and disparaging report. The fact is that other nationals have had their dose of similar reports.

Let’s us not forget that there are many good things about Nigeria the world appreciates every day. For instance, books written by Nigerians are in use in schools in the United States and elsewhere around the globe, and there have reports on the good work of some Nigerian professionals’ at home and abroad.

We must understand the genesis of Nigeria’s image problem. The "patriots" can yell and scream as much as they want, but the fact is that the "sons of bitches" and "fascist and corrupt bastards" who parade themselves as leaders of Nigeria contribute immensely to the "insults" on Nigerians abroad. Any sincere and honest Nigerian will agree that the activities of the present government are not helping the image of Nigeria. The recently defeated third-term plot and Chief Obasanjo’s illegal ($34 billion or $13 billion?) withdrawal from the excess crude account, and their inability to effectively manage a Nigeria’s democratic process, are just a few pimples on the face of Nigeria. Despite his plot against Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is now telling the world that he never asked for tenure elongating. It is if any sane person listening to this ‘garbage!’ Does he think that Nigerians are "rats" or bigger rats"? This is not a foreign plot, but a plot by our so-called leader against Nigeria. The society should demand an apology from him.

Nevertheless, in as much as we must not allow the natural prejudices of other people to tarnish the image of Nigeria, we must as well not rush to its defense when it is certain that some Nigerians (both leaders and followers) are not projecting a good image of Nigeria. Those who are defending the ‘little, but dangerous’ rogues amongst us, are in a campaign of deceit to make the bad ones look good. How can they change if they are not exposed and given commensurate consequences for their bad behavior?

It is surprising that some Nigerians (including Frank Nweke, Minister for Information and National Orientation) who did not see anything wrong with the third-term wahala, are now, with unspeakable delight, blowing the trumpet of patriotism, because of a report on a few Nigerian rogues. Are they defending criminals? Some of them even think that the CNN should apologize to Nigeria. This is just jungle patriotism! As Americans would yell, "what the hell is going on!" The ‘loudmouthed patriots’ should understand that the rogues are tainting the image of the many honest and hardworking Nigerians in the Diaspora. They are treacherous enemies of Nigeria, and their acts should be condemned!

Let’s put the blame where it belongs! The leaders of Nigeria can only raise everyone’s spirits by doing the right thing, as they have been drifting for a long time. Things will begin to turn around for Nigeria only when Nigerians stop tolerating corrupt and incompetent individuals as leaders. Granted, that there is corruption (or terrible human beings in the US and England, etc), but, they are not declared heroes when their hands are caught in a cookie jar, as the case in Nigeria.

Is it a plot against Nigeria to say the truth? As Pearl Buck notes "Truth is always exciting. Speak it, then. [Because] Life is boring without it."

The society should truly "declare war on corruption" and give everyone the right consequences for any criminal (and bad) behavior. This is because they are ruining the reputations of Nigeria by breaking the laws of the land without getting the necessary consequences. And, this is compromising the integrity of Nigeria.

Recently, the former Mayor of Atlanta was sentenced to months in prison simply for tax evasion. Such is unthinkable in Nigeria (unless it is a ploy to witch-hunt political opponents). And, in the US, writing a bad check gets one in trouble, but in Nigeria the ‘smart’ politicians do that, and nobody blinks. Their morality stinks! Despite this, the society gives them royal treatment. We do not seem to understand that our children are watching!

Because Nigerians worship illicit ‘wealth,’ which has distorted our value system, some people tend to get involved in corrupt activities to become rich. Nigeria’s democracy has been bastardized because of leadership lawlessness. As Karl Popper has noted "democracy is a system of government which permits public control of rulers … by the ruled, and which makes it possible for the ruled to obtain reforms…against the will of the rulers." But the reverse is the case in Nigeria. This group has done greater damage to the image of Nigeria than the reports by the CNN. Everyone knows that some (if not many) of the leader’s activities are unconstitutional.

This writer, who is not less patriotic, will in any day and time, defend and protect Nigeria (with all his might - fist fighting and wrestling, if necessary - but not going to war spill any blood) when any person unjustifiably bruises its image, or act to destroy it. However, he respectfully disagrees with the "patriots" that it was a plot against Nigeria to report the illegal activities of the bad apples. The CNN will not speak ill of individuals who foster desirable behaviors. It will protect the interests and rights of law-abiding individuals. Nigerians are not stigmatized because of their citizenship, but because Nigeria has bad image, caused mostly by bad leadership. Nigerians are stopped and thoroughly searched at international airport terminals because of the sordid image a few bad ones has given Nigeria.

Nigeria should not blame the West for her problems. If we put our house in order nobody will ridicule us anymore. As it were "No one can argue on his knees" (Walter Bagehot, 1826-1877)

Let the Nigerian Congress create a great Nigeria (a viable society where everyone can enrich their Nigerianess now and for future generations) with good legislation. The society needs humane, humble, visionary, and dedicated leaders to bring sanity back to the society. Nigeria should establish a culture truth, hard work, tolerance, sacrifice, service, and discipline, and erase its current beggar image.

We can create a new and better image for Nigeria by defending known criminals. Repackaging the image of Nigeria will involve complete mentality transformation, re-evaluate its skewed values system, give the people basic necessities of life, and create structures that will give the society good identity and respectable image at home and abroad.

Nigeria is tethering to a very uncertain future, and since it is at its most crucial economic juncture in decades,’ the leaders must work harder to protect the honest citizens. Sadly, instead of engaging in a serious debate about Nigeria's future, some people are defending the indefensible criminals.

As noted earlier, bad leadership contributes greatly to Nigeria’s problems. Recently, the retired Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Muhammed Uwais, accepted his failure in office when he noted that he regretted not having affected the arrest of Chief Obasanjo for ignoring the rulings of the apex court. He acknowledged that "the president’s action [not to release the Lagos State local governments funds, as ordered by his court] was not only a clear contempt of the Supreme Court ruling but also illegal and unconstitutional. The ideal penalty was to arrest anybody who committed that offence."

What is the society doing to change the continued lack of effective leadership? Is it talking and making thundering speeches without addressing the people’s quandary? We can pretend all we want that things are better than they used to be, but that will not make them so. Nigeria has some very hard choices to make: to secure the "insecure" nation for its citizens or continue the usual divisive politics. If we are tired of being "insulted" we must do something to change our image!

Nigeria’s problems are self-inflicted. They are no plots against Nigeria by the West. The solutions to our problems are in our palm, but we are groping about looking for them afar. Corruption remains the greatest evil plaguing Nigeria as a nation, leading to a weak economy. Employment is no longer based on merit but on connection for the sons and daughters of those in corridors of power. Those who are frustrated have taken to violent crimes (and other anti-social activities) and those who cannot stay in Nigeria have taken their frustrations abroad, where life is also harsh. And, those who want to get rich quick run afoul of the law, and the result is the sordid and deteriorating image of Nigeria. Is this a plot against Nigeria?

Victor E. Dike,

Robot  Villager

# 1 By Victor E. Dike...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 19.06.2006 02:06

demonteufel  Villager

# 2 thanks, thanks and again thank you,...great MIND! Ndiigbo said - "Ezikwu bu Ndu" - ( truth is life ) - there is no life in absence of truth..! - - mutual assured depedence - Posted by demonteufel| 19.06.2006 13:58

Fide  JJC

# 3 Very thought provoking, one should allow your words to stew and then rise up and make some contribution........hmmm. I almost see the need to agree with Nkire on another article to rise up and fight....bros, you are some writer but I will read and re-read this again. I know someone who went away some time and returned t live an affluent life after about two years. Today he is the pride of the family and I know for sure no one asked him how he came about such affluence, they simply welcomed him home and gave him a respected seat amongst them and of course he went into politics...................does this scenario remind you of anyone you know no matter how remotely? if so then YES WE WORSHIP WEALTH, MOSTLY ILL GOTTEN WEALTH! What will it take to actually make a change? when even one's family would take you for a fool if u don't steal while in government?.....ponder! Posted by Fide| 19.06.2006 16:57

cdimkpa  Villager

# 4 No mind Paul Adujie, he saw white and decided to call it black Posted by cdimkpa| 19.06.2006 17:32

Obugi  Villager

# 5 @Fide, I know someone who went away some time and returned t live an affluent life after about two years. Today he is the pride of the family and I know for sure no one asked him how he came about such affluence, they simply welcomed him home and gave him a respected seat amongst them and of course he went into politics...................does this scenario remind you of anyone you know no matter how remotely? if so then YES WE WORSHIP WEALTH, MOSTLY ILL GOTTEN WEALTH! I seem 2 remember that the Europeans came to America and Australia and SLAUGHTERED the native ppl of those 2 continents. We r all here in America and Europe enjoying the wealth generated by those acts of genocide. Oyibo ppl themselves may pay lip service to regretting their crimes, but they have NEVER offered 2 give up the wealth generated by their mass murder. What is so different about the Nigerian fellow who returned to Nigeria with stolen money.....and got a hero's welcome? I'm just curious. Thanks in advance. Obugi. Posted by Obugi| 19.06.2006 17:40

I Love Nigeria  Villager

# 6 Mr. Dike got it wrong, when he implied that someone/anyone is defending some criminals of Nigeria origin against CNN’s sloppy/lopsided documentary. We have said that CNN engaged in selective denigrations and disparagements or attacks on Nigeria. We have said that CNN generalized. We have said there is a pattern to it! NO ONE is on the picket lines preventing law enforcements authorities from prosecuting and punishing some criminals who may be Nigerians. Visiting Nigerian criminals with their justly deserved consequences! Every opinion that I have read, simply chastised CNN and Western press for generalizing about Nigerians, generalizations that includes Mr. Dike objective and brutally honest SELF! Most sincerely, Paul Adujie Posted by I Love Nigeria| 19.06.2006 18:10