funky medina:

http://saharareporters.com/article/mandela-was-angry-nigeria-dr-hakeem-baba-ahmed

ontarian: Thank you mr writer. Everyone is commenting and praising Madiba for his candid opinion on naija, as if we needed him to tell us before we can realize the truth.

Nigerians should not blame their leaders. We should blame ourselves. We vote them in. We play the devil's drum, while they dance in mischief.

The leaders , are simply the product of our society. They didn't fall from the sky. They are our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, aunts and uncles. In some cases, our grannies.

Take nairaland for example; what's with this tribal bashing and religious intolerance? A nigerian commits a crime, all people look for is the tribe and religion. We are first and foremost, Nigerians. There should be patriotism among us. There should be no state of origin. In the western world, it doesn't matter where you are born as long as you are born in that country. Place of birth is secondary to the place of residence. Place of birth is just for immigrants. In the case of citizens, place of birth is just for record and genealogical purposes.

Unfortunately, in Nigeria you come from where your dad comes from. Not where you are born or live. Until every nigerian is seen as a nigerian and is free to live in any part of the country, unmolested and peacefully, we are never gonna make head way.

If a stray dog is found on the street, the cops or animal home outfits are contacted immediately. Such animals are taken in and cared for, until a foster home is found. That's western practice.

I cried for weeks when I read here on nairaland some of the comments supposedly made by some people who think that Lagos state belongs to them. People were calling fellow Nigerians destitute and telling them to go back to their land. Which land? Same people are here, hailing Madiba. Did Madiba ask the white s Africans to leave? Did he claim to own South Africa? No. He didn't.

We can change Nigeria starting from nairaland. Let's discuss constructively, with open minds and love for one another. Let's eschew pride and regional sentiments. Madiba didn't say anything new. Anyone who didn't know that before now, is simply a child. We are the hope of the black world. Without Nigeria, Africa cannot move forward. The rest of Africa is waiting for us to take our place in the League of Nations.

Let's forget our leaders. Past and present. Nairaland can serve as a starting point. Every tribal comment or religious bigotry, should be banned and the poster proscribed. Let's heal this forum. Then we can take it from here to the larger society. Thanks.

EloquentMedia: Before we begin to blame our leaders, lets reexamine ourselves because our leaders still come from among us. If you still come to Nairaland to indulge in tribal warfare, then it is YOU Madiba is disappointed at. If you still cheat in the exam, and pass exam by sorting-it's a clear sign that you will cheat in election, and embezzle public funds. it is YOU that is painting us black let us as youths change our ways, embrace godly values and shun the get rich quick syndrome and collectively we will get to the promised land in our generation. After all history has shown us that evil does not pay and has a generational consequence

Ghost01: He should also have been angry with himself and his country. Despite the political concessions made by the Mandela-led ANC, social inequality and economic injustice persists, till date, in the Rainbow Nation. This is a country (South Africa) that has a GDP ($408.24 billion as of 2011) that's far greater then Nigeria's ($243.99 billion as of 2011), a population (50,586,757 as of 2011) that's less than 40% that of Nigeria's (162,470,737 as of 2011), and yet has an unemployment rate (29.8% as of 2011) that's greater than Nigeria's (23.90% as of 2011).

mavinc4u:

there is power in every spoken word. we are the cause of our problem. can't we just see good things and say good things about Nigeria so that it would start from there. We use our mouth to condemn the country and expect it to be good. the tongue is fire and can be used to decree anything and it comes to pass. The Bible says our mouths have creative force. death and life are in the power of tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit so learn how to say God bless Nigeria. if everybody wakes up to say God bless Nigeria before their morning and night prayers, tell me if God will not bless Nigeria and make it a better place to live.

funky medina:

http://saharareporters.com/article/mandela-was-angry-nigeria-dr-hakeem-baba-ahmed

funky medina:

http://saharareporters.com/article/mandela-was-angry-nigeria-dr-hakeem-baba-ahmed

kolardzy: Quite an interesting Discussion(too long tho)..
I think it all depends on how we motivate our next generation leaders to lead right and shun Corruption..This current ones have failed us

repogirl: 'Free fall in the past five years?' I hate all this propaganda bullshit targeted at a government that is really trying its best despite serious and deliberate opposition from jealous id!ots hiding behind a nonsensical cause!

Madiba was right in his assertions but then it should not be misconstrued and used to target this present government! Nigeria's free falling began a long time ago, like madiba said, from our DICTATORS and their DICTATING ERA...... Not just five years ago!

O.michael.O:
*RUBS EYEs*
when i wake up.i will comment


aWake

Judek2: [size=48pt]Some people tell me your country may break up. Please don’t let it happen'. [/size]

This is where I doubt.. We have lost it.. Whatever pillar that held us together is shaking..
"Things fall apart, when the center cannot hold"

born2fuck: I no even fit read ham finish, maybe reasonn I got E sometimes but wondering why some people can't just write that the point rather than a novel

lekanfahd: It has been well said. I dont think any sensible person need to consult BABALAWO or ask GOOGLE to know that the level of corruption especially among our leaders is so much that one cant just imagine and also the decay in educational system is unimaginable too. No great nation in the world today achieve whatever they have without educating the young. They are the future and hope of any nation that wants to be great

teajay007: Hmmmm,I keep wondering how Nigeria can be one of the most religious country in the world and at the same time one of the most corrupt country.

1supremo: ---------------------IF THE DIALOGUE APPEARS TOO LONG, READ THIS EXCERPT: IT'S A GOOD SYNOPSIS------------------------

"Your leaders have no respect for their people. They believe that their personal interests are the interests of the people. They take people's resources and turn it into personal wealth. There is a level of poverty in Nigeria that should be unacceptable. I cannot understand why Nigerians are not more angry than they are.

''Your elections are like wars. Now we hear that you cannot be president in Nigeria unless you are Muslim or Christian. Some people tell me your country may break up. Please don’t let it happen.

"What do young Nigerians think about your leaders and their country and Africa? Do you teach them history? Do you have lessons on how your past leaders stood by us and gave us large amounts of money? You know I hear from Angolans and Mozambicans and Zimbabweans how your people opened their hearts and their homes to them. I was in prison then, but we know how your leaders punished western companies who supported Apartheid." I reminded him that we had elected governments since 1999, and he knew some of our leaders in person. Yes, he did. "But what about the corruption and the crimes?" he asked.

''Let me tell you what I think you need to do; You should encourage leaders to emerge who will not confuse public office with sources of making personal wealth. Corrupt people do not make good leaders. Then you have to spend a lot of your resources for education. Educate children of the poor, so that they can get out of poverty. Poverty does not breed confidence. Only confident people can bring changes. Poor, uneducated people can also bring change, but it will be hijacked by the educated and the wealthy."

People had said to him that South Africa could become an alternative beacon of hope and inspiration for the black race and Africa. He told them it was always going to be Nigeria. The world will not respect Africa until Nigeria earns that respect. The black people of the world need Nigeria to be great as a source of pride and confidence. "So," he said to me, "If this audience has been useful, I am glad. But it will be more useful to me if you go back to Nigeria and work to give young Nigerians good education. Teach them the value of hard work and sacrifice, and discourage them from crimes which are destroying your image as a good people. ''

EloquentMedia: Before we begin to blame our leaders, lets reexamine ourselves because our leaders still come from among us. If you still come to Nairaland to indulge in tribal warfare, then it is YOU Madiba is disappointed at. If you still cheat in the exam, and pass exam by sorting-it's a clear sign that you will cheat in election, and embezzle public funds. it is YOU that is painting us black let us as youths change our ways, embrace godly values and shun the get rich quick syndrome and collectively we will get to the promised land in our generation. After all history has shown us that evil does not pay and has a generational consequence