Nigeria: Nothing is Innately Wrong With Nigeria

On the morning after Muritala Mohammed seized power in July 1975, public servants in Lagos were found "on seat" at 7.30 in the morning; even the "go-slow" on Lagos roads that had defied every solution prior to the regime, vanished overnight! Why? The new ruler's reputation for ruthlessness, discipline and hard work was sufficient to transform in the course of only one night the style and habit of Nigeria's unruly capital. That the character of one man could establish that quantum change in a people's social behaviour was nothing less than miraculous. But it shows that social miracles can happen.

A leader's no-nonsense reputation can induce a favourable climate, but in order to effect lasting change, it must be followed up with a remedial programme of social and economic re-orgnisation or at least a well conceived and consistent agenda or reform which Nigeria stood, and still stands in dire need of.

There is nothing basically wrong with Nigeria's character. There is nothing wrong with Nigerian's land or climate or water or air or anything else. Nigeria's problem is the unwillingness or the inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example, which are hallmarks of true leadership.

Nigeria has many men and women of conscience, a large number of talented people. Why is it then that all these patriots make so little impact on the life of our nation? Why is it that our corruption, gross inequities, our noisy vulgarity, our selfishness, our ineptitude seem so much stronger than the good influences at work in our society? Why do the good among us seem so helpless while the bad are full of vile energy? Nigeria needs patriotism this time around. What is your own contribution? Are you a caterpillar or a builder? Let your conscience judge you. Patriotism is an emotion of love directed by critical intelligence.

A true patriot will always demand the highest standards of his country and accept nothing but the best for and from his people. He will be outspoken in the condemnation of the leaders shortcomings without giving way to their superiority, despair or cynicism; that is my idea of patriotism.

Nigeria cannot fail, if the vast majority of people are decent.


Nigeria probably has 2 percent of it's population patriotic


How can you contribute anything of value, when ur busy, saying, useless country, naija.kole change, etc, etc

If you have no faith in the country, you should buy a passport and visa, or learn to swim or run,,,and migrate to a neighboring country

I fear the unpatriotic Nigerians more than the corrupt Government. It is the people that enable the Government. Hitler had to manipulate the people before he could do anything. This is a Fact.


This article is a must read

he he he, all these "patriotic" Nigerians and their wahala, let me guess, people should "proffer solutions"? LOL. It might not have occurred to you that people keep on shooting down the actions of the government and houses out of not only frustration at how defeat is continuously chosen over victory but also because such actions are appalling and deserve to be shot down. Should we now lower standards in order to accomodate all the rubbish that transpires in government? Profer solutions, profer solutions, how many solutions have been "profered"?  How many books have been written? Are the problems from mars? Simple, use money allocated to projects for the actual projects and don't steal, if you steal or loot, be thrown in jail and send a message. That would be a start. Is it rocket science? To be honest i think that the "patriotic" camp are actually the unpatriotic because is seems to be more about the image of the country and how it looks to outsiders than the actual suffering of the people or actually developing the place and improving the country for everyone. If people in other countries don't want to shoot down bad actions of their own government (which they do all the time and a lot of the time in mockery when it is called for) that is up to them. Is Nigeria really something to write home about at the moment? So what is wrong with stating this? It is not even done well to be honest. When politicians after looting money meant for developing airports and buying communication equipment now come and say it was because of occultic powers that the plane crashes were so rampant as opposed to them not doing their job, and then such are dragged unto TV and lambasted then we can even begin to talk. Instead what you get is "oga sir", chief this and chief that, sorry i asked you such a hard question etc.

It might also not occur to you that people also continue to lambast the government not only because they very rightly deserve it, but also because the huge potential Nigeria has is evident to them and also because of genuine concern for the country, so much that one would waste time and effort criticising obvious stupidity. If "patriotism" means telling tales by moonlight of vision 2020 when the generating capacity is 900mW and not taking solid actions to change it, then i rather wholeheartedly be "unpatriotic".

You going to swim to Equatorial Guinea or What?

Benin is right next door, or maybe you like Cameroon?

or no, Chad is good, or maybe Niger is your fancy

or maybe you're willing to make the distance to Ghana.

You're a liabilty, We don't need you 1/140 000 000

I'll reply to your post tomorrow Goodnight

Theres still hope we are patiently waiting for the messiah

@Sky Blue. You couldn't have put it better. dblock thinks that being patriotic has to do with protecting evil about your country especially from those who are supposed to be the example (LEADERS RULERS). The highest degree of patriotism that I can ever put up for now is to do away with things that will cause the further downfall of Nigeria and do everything within my reach to condemn anybody dragging our name into the mud. The truth is bitter and it must be told.

@dblock
let me help you shout in there ears

nothing is wrong with nigeria

No mind them , ROFLMAO!!! Even blind person for naija get eye to see say all is not well,  ROFLMAO!!!

DRANOEL:

nothing is wrong with nigeria

Are you sure you can see?

dblock:

You going to swim to Equatorial Guinea or What?

Benin is right next door, or maybe you like Cameroon?

or no, Chad is good, or maybe Niger is your fancy

or maybe you're willing to make the distance to Ghana.

You're a liabilty, We don't need you 1/140 000 000

I'll reply to your post tomorrow Goodnight

lol. . . . . that was really funny. . . . .

davidylan:

Are you sure you can see?

na waitin i bin want ask aswell
if dey really sure say notting is wrong

did some of you guys really take time to read his post before flying off on tangents?

Has he said criticism of government is wrong or that we are wrong to be critical?

The issue he has laid bare is very simple - there is no innate problem with Nigeria, leadership with the right courage and strength of character to lead by example and begin to build institutions that will last is what we are lacking. Nowhere in his post did he mention an external image or speak of the outside world's opinion, rather it goes to the root of our problems - not a lack of resources, or poor climate or wars, but a debilitating failure of leadership to inspire, to direct and to move the nation in the direction of actualizing a great destiny.

He has asked critical questions in that article - why are the negatives seemingly so much stronger than the positives?? Are we TRULY giving our all to overcome evil with good? Regardless of whatever else may be said, the truth is, Nigeria needs me and you - to do our own bit, in our daily dealings and in affecting others. That may not be the magic bullet, but it will add to the solving of the problem at some level.

Oga Debo . . . this article is way too simplistic. When a man has malaria, giving him a hot bath, some tea and tucking him gently into bed is not the solution. Get antimalarials and tackle the problem from the roots.

To argue that Nigeria has no innate problems is to decieve ourselves. We basically have a flawed system, no matter how nice our leaders are as long as the system remains in place they are essentially working with one hand tied behind their backs.

Over the yrs federal character, quota system . . . has completely destroyed the significance of merit and hardwork. We have raised a generation who nothing more than the price of oil on the world market. Our farmlands are lying fallow, our mineral resources are firmly in the hands of illegal miners, our ports are the very capital of institutionalised corruption . . .

A wise man does more than plaster the cracks on the walls of his house, he goes to dig to see if ants are destroying the foundation. Until we devise a new people-based constitution there is no way out of our present dilemma. While you are busy crying about "social re-engineering", the average hausa man is only concerned about Federal Allocation. There is no spirit of entrepreneurship, the spirit of invention is now channeled more to how to loot the treasury than how to advance the economy.

We have taught our children that politics is the most lucrative business, we have shown them that the way to fame and honor is only through corporate stealing.

The article asks a question - Why is it then that all these patriots make so little impact on the life of our nation?

My response - What else can these "patriots" do? Dele Giwa, MKO, Saro Wiwa . . . what greater sacrifice could they have given for our nation than the sacrifice of their lives? How does one man defeat an entrenched system of corruption, ineptitude and injustice? Rather than solving the Niger Delta crisis, our leaders are busy drafting in the army . . . do you expect those suppressed nationalities to grow up with patriotic intentions to a people who have systematically trodden them under foot?

Applying rob to a rabbies bite might sound humane, at the end of the day it may be more wicked than leaving the victim to die unattended.

@ Daviddylan.

I quite agree with a lot of positions and analogies u stated above, . . . u explained the nigerian spirit.

but what i dont agree or quite understand is ur position that until we devise a new people based constitution there is no way out.

are u suggesting another national conference or a soveign national conference? and was there an old people based constitution?
and to enable my imagination, please state a scenario of what u tink will be achieved trough such a conference or constitution

cheers

Everyday Nigerians gather at different places all over the world to "discuss Nigeria". We start from the present President, all the way back to 1960 when Azikiwe became the Governor General, to Gowon, Shagari, IBB, Abacha, OBJ, and then to Ya'dua again. We analyze, argue, shout, make important suggestions to our ears and at the end of the day everyone goes home with a headache.

Patriotism from the leaders is what we should be asking for. When you have had failures as Presidents and subordinates then you have the country thriving on entrenched corruption eating up the nation to debris.

Many of us are willing to go back to Nigeria but honestly there's little or no hope given to us. The Government has failed woefully and until they sit up, our own patriotism is just minimally or not effective.

Yes, nothing is wrong with Nigeria but me.

noetic:

but what i don't agree or quite understand is your position that until we devise a new people based constitution there is no way out.

The Nigerian constitution begins with the bogus "We the people . . ."

Noetic, do you remember being a part of drafting that constitution?

noetic:

are u suggesting another national conference or a soveign national conference? and was there an old people based constitution?
and to enable my imagination, please state a scenario of what u think will be achieved trough such a conference or constitution

cheers

We dont need a "sovereign national conference", it is simply a ruse to pull the wool over our unsuspecting eyes. What we need is a drastic restructuring of Nigeria from the bottom up and that has to start with putting a new constitution up for a referendum and no longer in the hands of the very brigands who are the very reason for our present predicament.

There are two things Nigerians must define first?
- What is Nigeria?
- What is our definition of citizenship?

Davidylan touched on all the core issues.

There are innate problems with Nigeria from a structural perspective.

If Leadership at the top doesn't resolve the structural anomalies anytime soon,
militant violence might spread to other parts of the Federation and not the Delta
alone.

Actually just before i read this posting I was thinking what is wrong with Nigeria.

Like one of the organisation I belong used to say, Nigeria problem is not hardware problem but software problem. Everything about making of a nation is present only few things to make it working properly is missing.

Now, as a lawyer there is something called on a balance of propabilities 51%/49% rule(Evidential burden of proof in civil matters). let me explain, and put it in the context of Nigeria.

In Nigeria Between the governors/rulers/leaders and the governed/people/subjects there is equal guilt. But applying the 51/49 rules of whom to blame more, sure it is our leaders.

It is for the leader to set out a bold vision for the followers to follow. In Nigeria the followers encourage the leaders to steal and they take the crumbles. One can also argued that the followers are so hungry that they are forced to encourage the leaders to steal.

Until we have sets of leaders who can lead, we will continue to go backwards rather than forward. All those year2020 vision in my own opinion is a police N20 naira vision that Yar A'dull is talking about is pure soundbite. He, our first graduate President may not even knows the meaning.

Year 2020 is only 12 years away, No Electricity or shall will say 1500MW, no good transport, all sort of failings except corruption which is the only growing and viable industry in Nigeria.

In conclusion majority of our leaders, past and present are a failure because they are unable to inspire the nation for a greater cause. OBJ has some good opportunity to do it and failed woefully. I am not suprised because he is not an intellectual. He has the moral authority having being the only Military head of state to handover to civilian without major crisies and at the point of handing over (having being forced to back down on 3rd term nonsense) to a civilian to civilian administration.

Surprisingly enough, in the land of the blind, one eyes man is king. At least we are all told and propably right that Yar a'dull is the least corrupt among all the candidates for the 2007 election or selection. OBJ  used Yar A'dull to checkmate IBB, Atiku and Bhuari.

Until we have a means of checkmating all those recycled bandits called leaders, we are unlikely to move forward.

1,000MW of power costs about USD 1billion. so if they have spent under OBJ  USD$10-$16B and we cannot see at least 5,000 to 8,000MW fully working, it is a joke. That is just using half price value, so $2billion to 1,000MW instead of the usual 2,000MW.

Shame on you PDP, OBJ, Yar A'dull no power. also don't forget IBB and Abacha super nonsense of mega corruption more than OBJ and Yar A'dull put together.

I prayed to God to be proved wrong, Yar A'dull is not a leader, his 'experience' in kastina state as a governor which is like some local government in lagos is inadequate to lead a country like nigeria.

A good leader is like Barack Obama, who will  inspire his people to see great vision with him, and you do as you ask them to do and not loading your  'Ghana must go bags' whilst you ask them to fast and pray for Nigeria. that is what leadership is all about. ability to insipre and lead from the front without being a bully.

May God bless Nigeria and her people and make her great.

On the morning after Muritala Mohammed seized power in July 1975, public servants in Lagos were found "on seat" at 7.30 in the morning; even the "go-slow" on Lagos roads that had defied every solution prior to the regime, vanished overnight! Why? The new ruler's reputation for ruthlessness, discipline and hard work was sufficient to transform in the course of only one night the style and habit of Nigeria's unruly capital. That the character of one man could establish that quantum change in a people's social behaviour was nothing less than miraculous. But it shows that social miracles can happen.

A leader's no-nonsense reputation can induce a favourable climate, but in order to effect lasting change, it must be followed up with a remedial programme of social and economic re-orgnisation or at least a well conceived and consistent agenda or reform which Nigeria stood, and still stands in dire need of.

There is nothing basically wrong with Nigeria's character. There is nothing wrong with Nigerian's land or climate or water or air or anything else. Nigeria's problem is the unwillingness or the inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example, which are hallmarks of true leadership.

Nigeria has many men and women of conscience, a large number of talented people. Why is it then that all these patriots make so little impact on the life of our nation? Why is it that our corruption, gross inequities, our noisy vulgarity, our selfishness, our ineptitude seem so much stronger than the good influences at work in our society? Why do the good among us seem so helpless while the bad are full of vile energy? Nigeria needs patriotism this time around. What is your own contribution? Are you a caterpillar or a builder? Let your conscience judge you. Patriotism is an emotion of love directed by critical intelligence.

A true patriot will always demand the highest standards of his country and accept nothing but the best for and from his people. He will be outspoken in the condemnation of the leaders shortcomings without giving way to their superiority, despair or cynicism; that is my idea of patriotism.

Nice piece.

dblock:

Nigeria: Nothing is Innately Wrong With Nigeria


Nigeria cannot fail, if the vast majority of people are decent.


Nigeria probably has 2 percent of it's population patriotic

What has population of patriotic Nigerians to do with the article above and the real issues??

dblock:

How can you contribute anything of value, when your busy, saying, useless country, naija.kole change, etc, etc

It is quite possible to be a critic and a contributor at the same time. Since when did doing both become impossible?? Are you here suggesting that the critics join the ranks of the “blind patriots” and somehow that will work out in the end for Nigeria? Look to Zimbabwe to understand what effect blind patriots really have on a nation please.

dblock:

If you have no faith in the country, you should buy a passport and visa, or learn to swim or run,,,and migrate to a neighboring country

Are you a mind reader then to conclude that the critics lack faith?? Doesn't the very fact that looking at the state in which the nation remains, it is the critics that you seem to be focused on and not those who continue to run the country down into the ground??

dblock:

I fear the unpatriotic Nigerians more than the corrupt Government. It is the people that enable the Government. Hitler had to manipulate the people before he could do anything. This is a Fact.


This article is a must read

So, you propose patriotism to be the cure for Nigeria's ailment knowing full well (I am assuming you would know this by now) that not all patriotism is GOOD patriotism??

What has population of patriotic Nigerians to do with the article above and the real issues??

The Population of patriotic Nigerians has everything to do with the state of Nigeria and the above article.

Picture Nigeria as a project that is doing badly. Nigerians are the only people that can do anything about the project, if people do not believe in the country no matter how bad things may be things will never change.

That is why I am patriotic. I am not a blind patriot, I don't think there is one Nigerian that is not aware of the problems that Nigeria has, but even if Nigeria was worse than hell, at the end of the day we must always believe in the country because looking at the country we are all aware that the country is more than capable of being prosperous, what lacks is an healthy society and an healthy society comprises of patriotic citizens.

Case Study

Angola.

Angola had been in a Civil War, one longer than the one that took place in Nigeria. A civil war that never looked like it would end. Angola was a country that made Nigeria look good. It was ravaged with various diseases, it's infrastructure was completely decayed. Yet unforeseen the Civil war ended three years ago. And in that three years Angola developed it's Oil Industry to a stage that surpassed what Nigeria had developed in decades Today Angola's economy is growing at unprecedented rates, and it's industry is one of the fastest growing in the world. The capital Luanda is now becoming more beautiful than its peaceful neighbours. And Angola which was more dangerous than Nigeria three years ago is now safer. All this happened in three years.

That Miracle is in fact one greater than if Nigeria was to become prosperous in the coming years. The fact is the world expects Nigeria to be successful, they didn't expect Angola to be. I make reference to Angola to highlight that there is essentially no such thing as a failed state. The only failed state is a country where people no longer believe.

It is quite possible to be a critic and a contributor at the same time. Since when did doing both become impossible?? Are you here suggesting that the critics join the ranks of the “blind patriots” and somehow that will work out in the end for Nigeria? Look to Zimbabwe to understand what effect blind patriots really have on a nation please.

I know critics, and I myself am a critic, however in being critical Nigerians fail to realise that the problem with Nigeria has become so interwoven in society that if they are completely taken aback by what they see and what they experience they cannot be physically there to make any positive change. And yes we must be critical, I never said we shouldn't be.

Mugabe is a good example of a Blind Patriot, but where exactly does the term "Blind Patriot" stem from, when we are discussing the overall prosperity of Nigeria. When someone says "Believe in the country" they are automatically deemed a Blind Patriot. What makes me a Blind Patriot when I am fully aware of the problems that occur in Nigeria.

One Poster on Nairaland said, History can forgive you if you make the wrong decision, but history won't forgive you if you make no decision at all.

Yes we can look at Zimbabwe to see the effect of Blind Patriotism, but Blind patriotsm itself poses a better possibilty for success than not doing anything at all.

So, you propose patriotism to be the cure for Nigeria's ailment knowing full well (I am assuming you would know this by now) that not all patriotism is GOOD patriotism??

Yes indeed, what else??. One who does not believe in something cannot expect something to prosper. Afterall the problem with Nigeria is afterall the society.

Governing is a product of the society that is in place. Afterall there are bad people in every country, so therefore shouldn't there be bad presidents and governors springing up everywhere. Obviously this is not the case, because in certain societies, such developments cannot occur due to the society.

Hence why I made the statement about Hitler. Hitler could not go to War until he had manipulated the people. A country is in essence driven by the people, so if the people are not patriotic nothing will change.

Oga Debo . . . this article is way too simplistic. When a man has malaria, giving him a hot bath, some tea and tucking him gently into bed is not the solution. Get antimalarials and tackle the problem from the roots.

The root of Nigeria's problems are in its foundation, but for the basis of society to change, we have to have people that are willing to change after all aren't they the root of the problem?

It is the people that later go on to Govern.

To argue that Nigeria has no innate problems is to decieve ourselves. We basically have a flawed system, no matter how nice our leaders are as long as the system remains in place they are essentially working with one hand tied behind their backs.

The article does not say that the system is not flawed, but the system being flawed is exactly what is holding a nation that has nothing else wrong with it back. We all no that in such a system, one man cannot really go out and alter the whole system, however the article also states that the good in society seem to be overwhelmed, and seem to have no effect whatsoever. Yes we all know that the President for example has limits, but even within those limits he can make changes that will impact on society.

Over the years federal character, quota system . . . has completely destroyed the significance of merit and hardwork. We have raised a generation who nothing more than the price of oil on the world market. Our farmlands are lying fallow, our mineral resources are firmly in the hands of illegal miners, our ports are the very capital of institutionalised corruption . . .

The system has indeed created an unhealthy structure, both at the federal level and in society. An incapable Government, stems from a society that is troubled, perhaps one with people that are not creating any positive effect, and an incapable Government inevitably results in a weakened economy.

A wise man does more than plaster the cracks on the walls of his house, he goes to dig to see if ants are destroying the foundation. Until we devise a new people-based constitution there is no way out of our present dilemma. While you are busy crying about "social re-engineering", the average hausa man is only concerned about Federal Allocation. There is no spirit of entrepreneurship, the spirit of invention is now channeled more to how to loot the treasury than how to advance the economy.

I concur

We have taught our children that politics is the most lucrative business, we have shown them that the way to fame and honor is only through corporate stealing.

I concur

The article asks a question - Why is it then that all these patriots make so little impact on the life of our nation?

My response - What else can these "patriots" do? Dele Giwa, MKO, Saro Wiwa . . . what greater sacrifice could they have given for our nation than the sacrifice of their lives? How does one man defeat an entrenched system of corruption, ineptitude and injustice? Rather than solving the Niger Delta crisis, our leaders are busy drafting in the army . . . do you expect those suppressed nationalities to grow up with patriotic intentions to a people who have systematically trodden them under foot?

Applying rob to a rabbies bite might sound humane, at the end of the day it may be more wicked than leaving the victim to die unattended.

People are no doubt suppressed, but the people can obviously "grow up with patriotic intentions"

Take the Niger Delta Militants. Do you think they can't succeed.

They have shut in a 1/5 of the Nation's output. They have attacked the offshore platform at Bonga, and have proven that they are capable of crippling the entire industry. Now regardless of how corrupt the Government is, if this Militants were actually legitimate. A shut in of the Nation's biggest earner would mean that the countries economy would collapse. A scenario not ideal of the people or the Government. A make reference to this to highlight, that if the people actually wake up, they can make a difference. The Niger Delta Crisis takes 2.5% out of Nigeria's GDP growth if that is not an impact what is?, the Niger Delta Militants are capable of affecting the livelihood of every Nigeria, if that is not an impact I don't know what is. At the end of the day no matter how suppressed you may be by an Government. The people enable the Government.

dblock:

The Population of patriotic Nigerians has everything to do with the state of Nigeria and the above article.

Picture Nigeria has a project that is doing badly. Nigerians are the only people that can do anything about the project, if people do not believe in the country no matter how bad things may be things will never change.

That is why I am patriotic. I am not a blind patriot, I don't think there is one Nigerian that is not aware of the problems that Nigeria has, but even if Nigeria was worst than hell, at the end of the day we must always believe in the country because looking at the country we are all aware that the country is more than capable of being prosperous, what lacks is an healthy society and an healthy society comprises of patriotic citizens.

Sure, you claim not to be a blind patriot. Good for you but from where I sit, all you are doing is criticizing people for criticizing Nigeria and telling them they have no faith cause they do not go around speaking as you do. Are you sure that spells same as the writer’s definition of true patriotism?? (Referring to the article you posted at the top of this thread).
I actually agree with the author’s definition of patriotism but I am not sure you are going along with his definition.

dblock:

I know critics, and I myself am a critic, however in being critical Nigerians fail to realise that the problem with Nigeria has become so interwoven in society that if they are completely taken aback by what they see and what they experience they cannot be physically there to make any positive change. And yes we must be critical, I never said we shouldn't be.

How do you know that other critics fail to realize this when it all has to do with you having the ability to read their minds in most cases?? Are you a critic and a psychic as well?? I am not sure of your analysis at all being close to the reality of majority of those I know who criticize the country. Infact, if you ask me, I will venture to say that these people actually contribute more to development in that country than those who sit and tell us “tales by moonlight” stories of how Nigeria’s story is going to turn around into another happily ever after situation.

dblock:

Mugabe is a good example of a Blind Patriot, but where exactly does the term "Blind Patriot" stem from, when we are discussing the overall prosperity of Nigeria. When someone says "Believe in the country" they are automatically deemed a Blind Patriot. What makes me a Blind Patriot when I am fully aware of the problems that occur in Nigeria.

I don’t believe Mugabe is a patriot, he is far from that. However, I believe the Zimbabweans who have over the past weeks taken it upon themselves to shut down the opposition and bring their own peers into submission under Mugabe are more likely to fit the “blind patriot” bill. Blind Patriots are usually those who go around telling people to shut up and submit to the situation as is. They even go around preaching that those who complain are of the opposition and need to be squelched.

dblock:

One Poster on Nairaland said, History can forgive you if you make the wrong decision, but history won't forgive you if you make no decision at all.

Yes we can look at Zimbabwe to see the effect of Blind Patriotism, but Blind patriotsm itself poses a better possibilty for success than not doing anything at all.

Blind patriotism is actually to blame for Nigeria remaining as is. Instead of demanding change, people have instead learned to adapt to the situation and submit to the current situation as deserved state. Sorry, but blind patriotism does more harm than non patriots can. Blind patriots are hindrance to change. The article you posted above speaks of how little impact the efforts of the patriots have on the country as a whole. If you are honest, you will realize that most all those who stood against the patriots all claimed to be better Nigerians and so did all they could to put down the patriots and their works.

dblock:

Yes indeed, what else??. One who does not believe in something cannot expect something to prosper. Afterall the problem with Nigeria is afterall the society.

Governing is a product of the society that is in place. Afterall there are bad people in every country, so therefore shouldn't there be bad presidents and governors springing up everywhere. Obviously this is not the case, because in certain societies, such developments cannot occur due to the society.

Hence why I made the statement about Hitler. Hitler could not go to War until he had manipulated the people. A country is in essence driven by the people, so if the people are not patriotic nothing will change.

Hitler manipulated the people and turned the majority into Blind patriots and hence how he got his war, even when the patriots said No.

I'll reply to your post later.

dblock:

The root of Nigeria's problems are in its foundation, but for the basis of society to change, we have to have people that are willing to change after all aren't they the root of the problem?

This is akin to saying - the problem with this house is its foundation, but for us to continue to manage it, we have to replace the ceiling afterall isnt it part of the house?

dblock:

It is the people that later go on to Govern.

As long as the system is broken, even angels wont be able to perform miracles.

dblock:

The article does not say that the system is not flawed, but the system being flawed is exactly what is holding a nation that has nothing else wrong with it back. We all no that in such a system, one man cannot really go out and alter the whole system, however the article also states that the good in society seem to be overwhelmed, and seem to have no effect whatsoever. Yes we all know that the President for example has limits, but even within those limits he can make changes that will impact on society.

Like what changes exactly? You cant do anything outside the constitution can you? Can the president prevent rigging in Kogi state all on his own?

dblock:

The system has indeed created an unhealthy structure, both at the federal level and in society. An incapable Government, stems from a society that is troubled, perhaps one with people that are not creating any positive effect, and an incapable Government inevitably results in a weakened economy.

this is a flawed argument. It is akin to saying a bad foundation stems from a wall that is cracked. Nigerians are some of the most inventive black Africans on earth . . . we have produced world class lawyers, doctors, eminent scientists and diplomats, nobel laureates . . . and you say the people are not creating any positive effect? What else do you want us to create? Life?

dblock:

People are no doubt suppressed, but the people can obviously "grow up with patriotic intentions"

A man who is denied a position in university due to quota system, who graduates and spends 10 yrs searching for non-existent jobs, who lives in a home where electricity only works 2 days a yr . . . will grow up with patriotic intentions? You've lived in Australia too long pls come back to reality.

dblock:

Take the Niger Delta Militants. Do you think they can't succeed.

What is in place for them to succeed? Are there jobs? Schools?

dblock:

They have shut in a 1/5 of the Nation's output. They have attacked the offshore platform at Bonga, and have proven that they are capable of crippling the entire industry. Now regardless of how corrupt the Government is, if this Militants were actually legitimate. A shut in of the Nation's biggest earner would mean that the countries economy would collapse. A scenario not ideal of the people or the Government.

This is a direct indictment of a woefully inept system. Why shld the economy collapse because millitants shut down the oil industry? Does it mean when oil dries up in 40yrs time when your kids are in their 20s Nigeria will completely implode? What if we had no oil at all?
What is the government doing with attracting foreign investment, kickstarting large scale agriculture, re-inventing the manufacturing sector, making sure our ports are the hub of maritime activity in Africa? Everything starts and stops at the doorsteps of oil?
And what about the people under whose feet the oil is drilled? For how long will they look longingly at fat cats enjoying the proceeds of oil while they manage to scrounge for poisoned fish?

dblock:

A make reference to this to highlight, that if the people actually wake up, they can make a difference. The Niger Delta Crisis takes 2.5% out of Nigeria's GDP growth if that is not an impact what is?, the Niger Delta Militants are capable of affecting the livelihood of every Nigeria, if that is not an impact I don't know what is. At the end of the day no matter how suppressed you may be by an Government. The people enable the Government.

Nigerians have become too lazy. Life does not start and end with oil.

Damn it's an onslaught, I'll get back to yall. lol

@dblock, sorry but you will have to put up with the fact that i am Nigerian and do not share your views on what patriotism really is. Why do parents discipline their kids (in Nigeria anyway)? Is it because they don't like their kids or is it due to love for their kids and the potential the parent see in them to be better? So what exactly is the problem with speaking the truth? That is just what i don't get, what is wrong with speaking the truth, or are all these criticsms based on fiction? I believe that if Nigerians were generally patriotic the country would be different, would it be because they were telling themselves everything would be ok? Would it be because they preached positivity? Would it not be because due to how much love they have for the country the people will not allow tribal sentiments, corruption and other vices to ruin things for everyone? At present Nigerians have such high tolerance for rubbish, do whatever you want and people will just tighten up their belts, wreak havock on a whole state and all you will have is the inconvenience of noise been made.

Do you know any other country with as much "public secrets" as Nigeria has? If patriotism is love for ones countries, does such love place such trivialities as "what would others think", tribal sentiments, etc above the suffering of a people one claims to love? Does such a love and desire and want for progress and development have such infinte tolerance and accomodation for wickedness, corruption and other vices that spoils it for everyone? If you had a child that was exhibiting wickedness, rascality and other such behaviours, do you pet that child and hope he changes or do you discipline him? So looking at the state of things do you think people have actually been "too hard" (LOL) on their analysis of the situation? How many corrupt ex govenors are in jail today? And people and being too harsh? What image are we exactly trying to protect? Isn't it selfish to put such above actually developing and fixing things so that we won't have to work overtime to protect this kwashiokor ridden image? Abeg, let all be exposed to put it perfectly "make fowl yansh open", after hearing of gutter surfing this week, I think Nigerians all over the world can handle whatever is being hidden. Some thing else you might not consider is that people continue to lambast and spend time speaking the truth not because of resignation, but because of hope that things can get better and because of frustration at why on earth they aren't with all the country has.

And yes, for such a countmry rich in all aspects, (mineral resources, human capital, etc) and still is the way it is, Nigeria deserves the wrap it gets. The leaders and people are not even getting close to the wrap that is deserved, people that deserve to be flogged in public are getting chieftancy title and yet all is well? How did such happen, how did things get so ludacris, were we all sleeping?

All the points that have been directed towards me are actually correct, and yours is as well.

However the point I make, is not that we cannot be critical or even hate the country. Nigeria has one of the highest poverty rates in the world, so yeah there will be a lot of Angry Nigerians.

However what I am saying is that if by being unpatriotic Nigeria's risk being unproductive in society then that is a major hindrance in an change that can occur.

What I define as unpatriotic, are corrupt individuals, yahoo yahoo boys, militants, cults, thieves etc etc.

People that are unproductive in society and are one of many economic liabilities.

Being Patriotic, is simply being a citizen that can shape the country positively. Being otherwise is a crime.

davidylan:

The Nigerian constitution begins with the bogus "We the people . . ."

Noetic, do you remember being a part of drafting that constitution?
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not at all. The constitution was hurriedly assembled to protect some intreasts.

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We don't need a "sovereign national conference", it is simply a ruse to pull the wool over our unsuspecting eyes. What we need is a drastic restructuring of Nigeria from the bottom up and that has to start with putting a new constitution up for a referendum and no longer in the hands of the very brigands who are the very reason for our present predicament.
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I concur.

but i tink that only a people engineered revolution can bring about these neccessarry changes.
the leadership have failed, the followership have failed
the critics have also failed,. . . .

until we feel that enuf is enuf and stand up to these paople, our aspirations will forever be mere dreams.

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There are two things Nigerians must define first?
- What is Nigeria?
- What is our definition of citizenship?

David, I agree with ur line of thought.
But the avarage nigerian does not really care about this things. They want food, clothing, shelter and education.
thats y i pity all those advocates of igbo or watever presidency!!!

but whichever way those definitions go, the common man needs must be met.

noetic:

David, I agree with your line of thought.
But the avarage nigerian does not really care about this things. They want food, clothing, shelter and education.
thats y i pity all those advocates of igbo or watever presidency!!!

but whichever way those definitions go, the common man needs must be met.

Of course the common man must eat . . . when oil runs out what will he eat?