₦airaland Forum

Everything is 'our leaders'.

'Our leaders'.

'Our leaders'.

You all just need to sit back and let ''our leaders'' create heaven on Earth, failing which ''we have failed''.

Why? Because ''our leaders'' did not do blah blah blah....

Awon useless.

The other day I started a thread on how We the people can create millions of jobs overnight if we stopped importing Brazilian dog hair to make us look like white people and instead paid our local girls to plait and weave our hair the African way.

Make that a new industry. A new trend. African-styled hair. Various possible styles open to creative imagination. Watch millions of jobs spring out of nothing in a country of 250 million people.

Just a simple decision by we the people to say ''We do not want to look like white people and spend millions of dollars importing dog hair from Brazil, and perming chemicals from USA and China. We are happy with our God-given hair.''

That alone can create over 10 million new jobs overnight in this country.

Quote me on that anywhere.

Zero government involvement!

The other day I saw the huge amounts running into billions of dollars Nigerians spend every year importing rubbish. Things they should be buying from their own people, from shoes to handbags to clothes.

So where will jobs come from if you are buying all these basic things from Italy and China?

The ones they make in Nigeria, you shun as 'local'.

If you don't patronise them, how will they grow and improve?

A nation programmed by colonisers to hate the very colour of their own skin.

The texture of their own hair.

The products of their own hands.

The capacity of their own minds.

How can you ever harness your environment to your benefit and prosperity?

Never.

If I present to you 2 shiny new wristwatches and say,

''A is made in Switzerland, and

B is made in Nigeria'',

You will choose A, without blinking.

Multiply that mindset by 245 million people (let's assume there are at least 5 million sensible Nigerians).

What's the incentive for the local innovator down the road who can make watches and wants to start a wristwatch brand?

Zero.

That is the root of our problems and why we suffer poverty and hunger when there's no famine.

You're hopelessly condemned to societal poverty until you elevate yourselves and your products in value and worth over anything from outsiders. Without such a mentality, you can never create enough value to be a wealthy society.

Till then, keep blaming ''Our Leaders''.

The other day there was some hoopla on social media after the FG announced it's intention to build low-cost bamboo houses to ease the housing shortage.

The suggestion was met with a hail of abuse from Nigerians.

They rained curses on the FG, and claimed it was a sign that the country is finished.

Why?

Because Bamboo reminds them of African traditional construction methods.

People in Germany and London don't build houses with bamboo.

So it must be a very uncivilised idea (Never mind that is cooling, cheap, widely available, durable, and environmentally sustainable).

I then showed them what can be achieved with bamboo architecture, and they went quiet.

https://images.summitmedia-digital.com/realliving/images/2022/04/20/1.jpg

https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2020/11/auto-draft/14-ulaman_ecoresort_yankodesign.jpg

https://amazingarchitecture.com/storage/files/4049/architecture-firm/kowsar-noroozi/sustainable-bamboo-abode/sustainable-bamboo-abode-bali-kowsar-noroozi-2.jpeg

Leaders come from the people. The quality of our population will always be an issue.

Awo started the problem by backstabbing the rest of our founding fathers during the colonial period which led to the war, envy and jealousy doesn't pay.

Kemetian:
Everything is 'our leaders'.

'Our leaders'.

'Our leaders'.

You all just need to sit back and let ''our leaders'' create heaven on Earth, failing which ''we have failed''.

Why? Because ''our leaders'' did not do blah blah blah....

Awon useless.

The other day I started a thread on how We the people can create millions of jobs overnight if we stopped importing Brazilian dog hair to make us look like white people and instead paid our local girls to plait and weave our hair the African way.

Make that a new industry. A new trend. African-styled hair. Various possible styles open to creative imagination. Watch millions of jobs spring out of nothing in a country of 250 million people.

Just a simple decision by we the people to say ''We do not want to look like white people and spend millions of dollars importing dog hair from Brazil, and perming chemicals from USA and China. We are happy with our God-given hair.''

That alone can create over 10 million new jobs overnight in this country.

Quote me on that anywhere.

Zero government involvement!

The other day I saw the huge amounts running into billions of dollars Nigerians spend every year importing rubbish. Things they should be buying from their own people, from shoes to handbags to clothes.

So where will jobs come from if you are buying all these basic things from Italy and China?

The ones they make in Nigeria, you shun as 'local'.

If you don't patronise them, how will they grow and improve?

A nation programmed by colonisers to hate the very colour of their own skin.

The texture of their own hair.

The products of their own hands.

The capacity of their own minds.

How can you ever harness your environment to your benefit and prosperity?

Never.

If I present to you 2 shiny new wristwatches and say,

''A is made in Switzerland, and

B is made in Nigeria'',

You will choose A, without blinking.

Multiply that mindset by 245 million people (let's assume there are at least 5 million sensible Nigerians).

What's the incentive for the local innovator down the road who can make watches and wants to start a wristwatch brand?

Zero.

That is the root of our problems and why we suffer poverty and hunger when there's no famine.

You're hopelessly condemned to societal poverty until you elevate yourselves and your products in value and worth over anything from outsiders. Without such a mentality, you can never create enough value to be a wealthy society.

Till then, keep blaming ''Our Leaders''.

How can all these things you wrote here provide stable electricity, good roads, functional education and health systems, how can they promote rule of law, how can these provide a business friendly environment? How can these make our refineries to begin to work optimally? Some level 14 officers salary at a federal government establishment is not up to 300k in the present day Nigeria. Most Federal government establishments are Completely dead due to lack of maintenance and you blaming the people. Some government workers use their monies from the meager salary to buy equipment to work for the government and you are blaming the people.

Some businesses have closed down due to government policies,but you chose to blame the people. Politicians are looting our funds and nothing happens to them yet you blame ordinary Nigerians.

You may have to think again.

1Alex:
How can all these things you wrote here provide stable electricity, good roads, functional education and health systems, how can they promote rule of law, how can these provide a business friendly environment? How can these make our refineries to begin to work optimally? Some level 14 officers salary at a federal government establishment is not up to 300k in the present day Nigeria. Most Federal government establishments are Completely dead due to lack of maintenance and you blaming the people. Some government workers use their monies from the meager salary to buy equipment to work for the government and you are blaming the people.

Some businesses have closed down due to government policies,but you chose to blame the people. Politicians are looting our funds and nothing happens to them yet you blame ordinary Nigerians.

You may have to think again.

If we don't have a leader who genuinely shows love for country and encourages others to love the country, Nigeria will remain like this till the end of time.

This is something I thought Buhari would do (although I never voted for him). As for Tinubu, I know that man can NEVER be that leader because you cannot give what you don't have. There was a newspaper headline where he said he didn't believe in ONE Nigeria. Today, his appointments and actions show that belief.

Our biggest problem is love for country.... nobody loves this country; everyone is only interested in getting their share of the national cake. No country prospers with its citizens having that mindset.

If you go to America, you will see everyday people hoisting their flags on the entrance of their houses because they are crazily in love with their country. Nigerians don't do that because people are more loyal to their ethnic groups and only profess love for the country when they want something from her.

There was one CCTV footage of an American rider who came to deliver a package in the mailbox of its owner. Upon getting to the owner's doorstep, he saw an American flag hanging on the wall. He saluted the flag, dropped the parcel and left. He didn't know that a CCTV captured the moment. That's love for country. This is something we may never see in our generation because Nigeria is built on falsehood. If you love your country, you (everyone) will do your best to see it prosper.

In picture below - everyday people hanging American flags on their wall.

SmartPolician:
If we don't have a leader who genuinely shows love for country and encourages others to love the country, Nigeria will remain like this till the end of time.

This is something I thought Buhari would do (although I never voted for him). As for Tinubu, I know that man can NEVER be that leader because you cannot give what you don't have. There was a newspaper headline where he said he didn't believe in ONE Nigeria. Today, his appointments and actions show that belief.

Our biggest problem is love for country.... nobody loves this country; everyone is only interested in getting their share of the national cake. No country prospers with its citizens having that mindset.

If you go to America, you will see everyday people hoisting their flags on the entrance of their houses because they are crazily in love with their country. Nigerians don't do that because people are more loyal to their ethnic groups and only profess love for the country when they want something from her.

There was one CCTV footage of a America rider who came to deliver a package in the mailbox of its owner. Upon getting to the owner's doorstep, he saw an American flag hanging on the wall. He saluted the flag, dropped the parcel and left. That's love for country. This is something we may never see in our generation because Nigeria is built of falsehood. If you love your country, you (everyone) will do your best to see it prosper.

In picture below - everyday people hanging American flags on their wall.

you are very correct.

But.

How can you love the country when a known set of people are killing your brothers in another village and the government does nothing?

How can you love the country when monkey dey work and baboon dey chop?

How can you love the country when a set of already rich politicians are sharing billions among themselves for doing almost while many people are in abject poverty?

In just 4 years tenure, a senator will acquire the amount a civil servant cannot get in 35 years of service.

In one thread, someone said "abroad, hard work yields results but in Nigeria, hardwork does not guarantee success"

I strongly believe that when leaders lead well, things will begin to fall into the right place.

Everything still falls back to the laps of the leaders...


Because it's their duty to provide quality policies and direction that shape the lives of the people.

How can the flock walk in one accord when the shepherd is not coordinated and doesn't even know where he is headed?

In 2022, 10 liters of petrol was 2k. Then just 2 years later, same 10 litres of petrol is 10k. And I should kneel down and express my love for Nigeria.

1Alex:
How can all these things you wrote here provide stable electricity, good roads, functional education and health systems, how can they promote rule of law, how can these provide a business friendly environment? How can these make our refineries to begin to work optimally? Some level 14 officers salary at a federal government establishment is not up to 300k in the present day Nigeria. Most Federal government establishments are Completely dead due to lack of maintenance and you blaming the people. Some government workers use their monies from the meager salary to buy equipment to work for the government and you are blaming the people.

Some businesses have closed down due to government policies,but you chose to blame the people. Politicians are looting our funds and nothing happens to them yet you blame ordinary Nigerians.

You may have to think again.

I never said we would solve all our problems simply by prioritising local over foreign.

But we would certainly solve basic issues like hunger, shelter..

Many of the problems you mentioned can even be fixed by greater public wealth, such as education and healthcare affordability (including private), stable power (who won't be able to afford solar?)

According to AI calculations, Nigeria loses $14 billion each year to foreign habits that could easily be replaced by indigenous trends, from hair styling to clothes.

Do you know that AI says that even our use of English alone in digital media, movies, education etc, to the detriment of the major indigenous languages like Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba, is costing us billions of dollars in IGR, and millions of jobs?

See the calculations it made here:

https://www.nairaland.com/8451731/ai-says-preferring-oyinbo-made

Do you think an extra 14 billion dollars every year circulating - not among politicians - but among the Nigerian people, won't make a significant impact on living standards?

I mean, for crying out loud mehn....

Kemetian:
I never said we would solve all our problems simply by prioritising local over foreign.

But we would certainly solve basic issues like hunger, shelter..

Many of the problems you mentioned can even be fixed by greater public wealth, such as education and healthcare affordability (including private), stable power (who won't be able to afford solar?)

Do you think an extra 14 billion dollars every year circulating - not among politicians - but among the Nigerian people, won't make a significant impact on living standards?

I mean, for crying out loud mehn....

That paragraph is the least any people can get form their government. If the citizens should take care of them, then there is no government at all.

1Alex:
That paragraph is the least any people can get form their government. If the citizens should take care of them, then there is no government at all.

You are still obsessed with govt.

Why not focus on the things you can change?

Kemetian:
You are still obsessed with govt. Why not worry about the things you can change?

I cannot personally change anything, because I don't have the power to. Government has the power. If I was in government, i would have the power.

Kemetian:
You are still obsessed with govt.

Why not focus on the things you can change?

though it seems I reacted only based on your topic. I read again to understand you are actually talking about job creation. Vex no let me read with clear eyes.

EmperorIsaac:
The leaders come from the people. The quality of our population will always be an issue.

Absolutely. This is crux of the matter . We cannot import 50k Brits and 60k Germans to lead us. Nigerian leaders will come from the Nigerian people and population.

If the Nigerian people, in the majority , are of poor quality then the leader Nigerians receive will also be of poor quality meaning leadership of our nation will be poor overall. Simple as that.

The only reform that can change this country is by reforming education and mass media. It's very easy to make people think differently but this is not going to happen not in a million years. I understand your pain but I have given up hope long time ago same as many other Nigerians. Just focus on your life and family at least you can change your immediate family.

1Alex:
though it seems I reacted only based on your topic. I read again to understand you are actually talking about job creation. Vex no let me read with clear eyes.

No wahala bros. It's just that certain basic level that we can all be at, despite whatever govt does or doesn't do.

There's no reason for anybody to be hungry or suffering in this country of 250 million people if even 30% of the population say ''we will only patronise Nigerian-made unless there's no choice but to buy foreign''.

That can create over 5 million jobs overnight!

SmartPolician:
If we don't have a leader who genuinely shows love for country and encourages others to love the country, Nigeria will remain like this till the end of time.

This is something I thought Buhari would do (although I never voted for him). As for Tinubu, I know that man can NEVER be that leader because you cannot give what you don't have. There was a newspaper headline where he said he didn't believe in ONE Nigeria. Today, his appointments and actions show that belief.

Our biggest problem is love for country.... nobody loves this country; everyone is only interested in getting their share of the national cake. No country prospers with its citizens having that mindset.

If you go to America, you will see everyday people hoisting their flags on the entrance of their houses because they are crazily in love with their country. Nigerians don't do that because people are more loyal to their ethnic groups and only profess love for the country when they want something from her.

There was one CCTV footage of an American rider who came to deliver a package in the mailbox of its owner. Upon getting to the owner's doorstep, he saw an American flag hanging on the wall. He saluted the flag, dropped the parcel and left. He didn't know that a CCTV captured the moment. That's love for country. This is something we may never see in our generation because Nigeria is built on falsehood. If you love your country, you (everyone) will do your best to see it prosper.

In picture below - everyday people hanging American flags on their wall.

So have you hoisted Nigerian flag in your house?

Leaders come from us people are failing to understand this. With what you read on Nairaland from some folks on how they call the country a zoo or quick to attack the country on something that’s clearly a leaders fault. They could chose to attack the leader but they will instead call Nigeria names. So can you say those ones will become the effective leaders in the future. In the next 15 to 20 years the people who are guilty of what I mentioned will climb the saddle again. So what are they going to offer the country? Cluelessness, lack of love for the country or it’s people, ineptitudeness and so also greatness, love , respect for humanity and effectiveness grow with time and they are from within. What we say or write is a reflection of our mindset.

The problem is beyond the leaders. The problem is generational. Social media is compounding the problems already.

I have said it, if we are not careful, the next leaders that will emerge will be the worst.

Britishpea:
So have you hoisted Nigerian flag in your house?

Leaders come from us people are failing to understand this. With what you read on Nairaland from some folks on how they call the country a zoo or quick to attack the country on something that’s clearly a leaders fault. They could chose to attack the leader but they will instead call Nigeria names. So can you say those ones will become the effective leaders in the future. In the next 15 to 20 years the people who are guilty of what I mentioned will climb the saddle again. So what are they going to offer the country? Cluelessness, lack of love for the country or it’s people, ineptitudeness and so also greatness, love , respect for humanity and effectiveness grow with time and they are from within. What we say or write is a reflection of our mindset.

The problem is beyond the leaders. The problem is generational. Social media is compounding the problems already.

I have said it, if we are not careful, the next leaders that will emerge will be the worst.

Fantastic post. You are indeed a wise man.

SmartPolician:
If we don't have a leader who genuinely shows love for country and encourages others to love the country, Nigeria will remain like this till the end of time.

This is something I thought Buhari would do (although I never voted for him). As for Tinubu, I know that man can NEVER be that leader because you cannot give what you don't have. There was a newspaper headline where he said he didn't believe in ONE Nigeria. Today, his appointments and actions show that belief.

Our biggest problem is love for country.... nobody loves this country; everyone is only interested in getting their share of the national cake. No country prospers with its citizens having that mindset.

If you go to America, you will see everyday people hoisting their flags on the entrance of their houses because they are crazily in love with their country. Nigerians don't do that because people are more loyal to their ethnic groups and only profess love for the country when they want something from her.

There was one CCTV footage of an American rider who came to deliver a package in the mailbox of its owner. Upon getting to the owner's doorstep, he saw an American flag hanging on the wall. He saluted the flag, dropped the parcel and left. He didn't know that a CCTV captured the moment. That's love for country. This is something we may never see in our generation because Nigeria is built on falsehood. If you love your country, you (everyone) will do your best to see it prosper.

In picture below - everyday people hanging American flags on their wall.

My dear how can there be love for this country, when injustice is allowed to prevail over justice and equity,
Nepotism allowed to prevail over merit?

Or is it the so called winner takes all brand of politics that our politicians play here (they say that is how a black African man plays politics, that, that is how politics is meant to be!). See Under PBAT Nigeria rapidly turning into a one political party democracy.

This kind of politics tramples on, oppresses, strips, disempowers, crushes the weak, vulnerable, underserved population. See palliatives distribution rather rather than productively engaging the rural people, and encourage certain demographic to embrace family planning in line with the current rate of productivity (esp food).

Or is it killing the rural people to please their masters and because the rural people appear powerless and thus dispensable. They feel they have the right to take life they did not create.

Or is it refusal to combat and address criminalities and terrorists activities for reasons best known to them?

Do you see our leaders giving speech, very uninspiring, full of falsehoods, lies, insincerity

1Alex:
I cannot personally change anything, because I don't have the power to. Government has the power. If I was in government, i would have the power.

But as a collective we have power and choice, even without govt.

Abi we be nama?

See how Nollywood started. Today it employs millions directly and indirectly.

No govt involvement. Just Nigerians deciding they would rather enjoy their local movies than Hollywood, however bad the quality.

Mass patronage made them improve and become what they are today.

Now they are even featuring at Cannes Festival in France.

Appearing on Netflix among the world's top movies.

From Living in Bondage to Living Large.

Afrobeats, same thing.

Imagine if we now transfer that vibe to Everything else?

Nigerianize everything, not just music and film.

Nobody will lack food in this country.

okrikaboi:
The only reform that can change this country is by reforming education and mass media. It's very easy to make people think differently but this is not going to happen not in a million years. I understand your pain but I have given up hope long time ago same as many other Nigerians. Just focus on your life and family at least you can change your immediate family.

Incisive post. You understand the problem which is education. We can lie to ourselves all we want but the reality is that the education on offer today is poorer in quality than what obtained 50 years ago.

It is producing Nigerians who think and act less effectively than they can do and in comparison to others worldwide.

Education may be more widespread today in Nigeria but it is of poorer quality and will produce adults, followers and leaders, who cannot deliver solutions effectively for themselves and society.

Kemetian:
The other day there was some hoopla on social media after the FG announced it's intention to build low-cost bamboo houses to ease the housing shortage.

The suggestion was met with a hail of abuse from Nigerians.

They rained curses on the FG, and claimed it was a sign that the country is finished.

Why?

Because Bamboo reminds them of African traditional construction methods.

People in Germany and London don't build houses with bamboo.

So it must be a very uncivilised idea (Never mind that is cooling, cheap, widely available, durable, and environmentally sustainable).

I then showed them what can be achieved with bamboo architecture, and they went quiet.

https://images.summitmedia-digital.com/realliving/images/2022/04/20/1.jpg

https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2020/11/auto-draft/14-ulaman_ecoresort_yankodesign.jpg

https://amazingarchitecture.com/storage/files/4049/architecture-firm/kowsar-noroozi/sustainable-bamboo-abode/sustainable-bamboo-abode-bali-kowsar-noroozi-2.jpeg

Working hard to be paid your APC monthly stipend..... Who lives in bamboo houses.. ever taught if cold, mosquitoes, privacy , protection....?

Ur own na to download yeye use am dey support anything wey your ogas talk....

bigpicture001:
Working hard to be paid your APC monthly stipend..... Who lives in bamboo houses.. ever taught if cold, mosquitoes, privacy , protection....?

Ur own na to download yeye use am dey support anything wey your ogas talk....

What is this one saying?

There are all types of bamboo houses that can be meet any requirements you want.

Not everything is political. I dunno what brought APC into the discussion.

https://bricksfamily.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cbbnn-76.png

Kemetian:
But as a collective we have power and choice, even without govt.

Abi we be nama?

See how Nollywood started. Today it employs millions directly and indirectly.

No govt involvement. Just Nigerians deciding they would rather enjoy their local movies than Hollywood, however bad the quality.

Mass patronage made them improve and become what they are today.

Now they are even featuring at Cannes Festival in France.

Appearing on Netflix among the world's top movies.

From Living in Bondage to Living Large.

Afrobeats, same thing.

Imagine if we now transfer that vibe to Everything else?

Nigerianize everything, not just music and film.

Nobody will lack food in this country.

.

Absolutely spot on. What you’ve said is proof that people power is real — and in Nigeria, we’ve already seen it work.

Nollywood and Afrobeats are two clear examples of what happens when Nigerians decide to support what is theirs. Nobody gave them a grant. No elaborate policy. Just raw hustle, consistent local support, and belief in our own, no matter how “rough around the edges” it was in the beginning. And now look — global recognition, jobs created, wealth generated, and pride restored.

The key takeaway here is ownership. We owned our music and our films. We didn't wait for perfection. We didn’t wait for government. And that mindset can be applied across other sectors too.


It’s really about a shift in mindset. If millions of us choose to support local, the ripple effect is massive. Jobs will spring up. Local industries will boom. Wealth will circulate internally.

As you said: "from Living in Bondage to Living Large" — if we Nigerianize everything, we won't just survive. We'll thrive.

@OP.

Great post and I broadly agree with most of your submissions and conclusion.

My take is that poor quality of education that affect all Nigerians (leaders and followers) and all levels of society is a big part of the problem.

The education available in Nigeria teaches most to seek solutions rather than be capable of delivering solutions.

This is why leaders are incapable of leadership that produced solutions and followers cannot think innovatively to note and deliver solutions without waiting to be spoonfed.

Nigerians, from followers to leaders, are a "food is ready" type of people and those sort hardly go on to build sophisticated, developed and wealthy nations where the needs of most citizens are met.

Kemetian:
What is this one saying?

There are all types of bamboo houses that can be meet any requirements you want.

Not everything is political. I dunno what brought APC into the discussion.

https://bricksfamily.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cbbnn-76.png

Now l explain to u how u are being carried away by mere experiment schemes...I know your type, I have seen them alot, they like to form exposure and modernist...

Now leme ask u... Wike spent #39B refurbiing an already existing and not frequently used ICC..

Do u know that the same sum can build 3 ten storey residential building of 3 bedroom flats...for the people, which will b standard and last longer ..?

Now u know why I mentioned APC, because instead of you to b broader in scope to fix house problem, u were fast to embrace another trial and of course white elephant project...

Bro keep your feet on the ground... Count 1 before you count 18

bigpicture001:
Working hard to be paid your APC monthly stipend..... Who lives in bamboo houses.. ever taught if cold, mosquitoes, privacy , protection....?

Ur own na to download yeye use am dey support anything wey your ogas talk....

People like you are repellent. This is a good thread to be discussed positively. Everything isn't politics as OP already chided you about.

OP is making a point about innovative thinking and having the awareness to use what is around you for solutions you need.

That then leads to the bigger picture of how Nigeria can be great and develop rapidly if Nigerians can note and deliver solutions for themselves and their nation.

In some States of the US, for example, most home are essentially built using timber and then clad with any material of choice, like brick tiles etal, to achieve desired look to the extent wood homes, because of external cladding and internal plastering, look like a brick home.

Look at the image below of two homes. One is under constrcution with Timber frame. By the time it is fully built and clad, it may look like the home next to it.

Now, a layman may wonder why Nigerians cannot innovatively consider this option that gives more choice and may be cheaper and quicker to build.

That's the point a sensible person would note per the topic of thread and comment of OP. His comment about hair, for example, is spot on.

Why are we still incapable of mastering the industry meaning wigs and artifical hair has to be imported yet like 7 out of 10 adult female Nigerians use wigs today and own several each?