Wednesday, 23 May 2012
A Chronicle And A Clarion Call - A Review Of Time To Reclaim Nigeria By Abdul Mahmud*
By Abdul Mahmud*
The trouble with writers is that they must trouble our already troubled peace of mind. Please pardon the tautology. It seems to be their lot to unleash their vision of the ideal society on our already troubled planet. And in a social-political environment where all the institutions of state have become, literally, the enemy of the ordinary citizen, the inspired writer becomes the voice of the dispossessed. He or she becomes the voice of reason that guides and instructs us toward propagating social equity and political redemption.
Chido Onumah’s Time To Reclaim Nigeria, is a timely book, (please pardon the pun), that focuses on the disturbing paradox of his nation -- that is blessed by so much resource, but also cursed by so much suffering and injustice.
Time To Reclaim Nigeria’s three hundred and twelve pages is structured into three parts with eight chapters that comprise three appendixes and several pages of truly reader-friendly index. Chido Onumah has also done the reader a good turn by including the responses of so many of his compatriots across the globe: aside the forward written by Prof. Harry Garuba (of the University of Cape Town, South Africa), the preface written by Prof Bioko Agozino (of the Dept. of Sociology, Virginia Tech, USA), the introduction written by Kwesi Pratt Jnr. (managing editor, The Insight newspaper, Ghana), there are nine pages of blurbs from thirty four readers of this book. This, I must say is a bibliographical record!
We are all familiar with the details of Nigeria’s embarrassing situation, but the refreshing aspect of this book, TIME TO RECLAIM NIGERIA, is that it not only chronicles and denounces all the shenanigans and malfeasances of Nigeria’s infamous political actors in the last ten years of the Fourth Republic, it also calls for an urgent mending of the damaged contract between the badly traumatized citizen and the plundering Nigerian state.
Understandably, so much anger and gloom permeate the analytical pages of Time To Reclaim Nigeria. The author, a self-confessed revolutionary, however, does not shy away from proffering a way out of the quagmire of the present dismal picture of the nation. Chido Onumah also dares to dream an alternative vision of a more just and equitable nation.
For those bitten by the bug of change, this book can’t but be a magnetic force powering that desired objective. In this 312 paged book, the historical picture of gloom, a dreadful milieu enveloped by poor leadership stare us in the face, is starkly depicted and analyzed.
The most courageous thing about Time to Reclaim Nigeria is that it does not mince words in the analyses of the daunting challenges facing Nigeria. This is most likely going to make the reader to conclude that this one work, driven not just by anger but also a patriotic passion for a genuine transformation of Nigeria, not the phony slogans of transformation being sold to a terribly impoverished populace.
I must conclude this short review by reverting to the words of two of the earlier illustrious readers of this very important book. The Harvard Professor of Comparative Literature Biodun Jeyifo says, “Without oversimplifying or idealizing things, Chido Onumah always writes with the vision of a better, more just and more humane Nigeria as the bedrock of his faith and his optimism. His is an impassioned and urgent voice that we would do well to listen”
This reviewer cannot but concur! Every reader of this book either domiciled in Nigeria, or in the Diaspora, should also heed the words of another perceptive reader, Professor Harry Garuba of the Centre for African Studies, University of Cape Town University, South Africa: “Home, they say is where the hurt is; but home is also where hope nests. Time To Reclaim Nigeria takes us through the hurt to the home of hope. If you are reading this, it’s time to embark on this journey from hurt to hope with Chido Onumah’s book as guide and compass.’
*Lawyer and poet, Abdul Mahmud is ex-president, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
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MRlqXlZsHR
Submitted by Eve (not verified) on January 19, 2012 - 15:39.
That's the perfect isnihgt in a thread like this.
We should work to reclaim Nigeria
Submitted by Taiwo (not verified) on January 11, 2012 - 11:02.
Nigeria is to be reclaimed by those who do not see the country through the narrow prism of ethnocentricity and understand that there are larger issues beyond this.
Regardless of whichever tribe(a term i dislike) one originates all nigerians aspire for the same thing. a decent home of their own with the basic amenities of power and running water , clothing, food, security of life and property and a better future for their children.
those who takes a stereotype of what is fulani or ibo or yoruba and then pigeon hole's the entire tribe's thoughts and aspirations are perhaps ignorant.
Boko Haram does not represent the North , neither does OPC the west or the militants the south south.
a good example of this indifference is the inadequate response from the government to the environmental disaster(emanating from the Bonga oil field) of a magnitude equal to the gulf of mexico has occured destroying yet again the fragils livelihoods of the people of that region as well as the ecosystem.
Reclaim I Think means......
Submitted by Abacha (not verified) on January 11, 2012 - 10:18.
Misunderstood as it may stand, different folks different srokes, this prolific writtings is set aside only for those who have positive vision for this country. Reclaim Nigeria I think simlpy means let's us unite under one umbrella to emancipate Nigeria from the shackles of a few profound people who epitomises the affairs of of this nation, it is a clarion call to all Nigerians to stand up right before our shores comes history. It is true that a diifferent opinion does not mean a rejection of you as a person, but opinions c channelled towards positivity wii save us all. Let's Reclaim Nigeria soonest.
DERI is a fool
Submitted by ugo (not verified) on December 29, 2011 - 12:35.
.Deri the thought of the igbos will kill u if care is not taken. Like my father will say, the Rivers\ bayelsa man is stupid, and his son even more stupid our president is a good example. The igbos started the fight, for a better future but people like & saro killed it and thats why they died like chickens. Where is Asari today? After all the noise he sold his soul for money typical Rivers man. Deri I am sure you just sold a land to celebrate this christmas, that is of you till have any left add wipe.
Reclaiming Naija
Submitted by cashmiar.Audu (not verified) on December 25, 2011 - 18:43.
Quite interesting to see how ethnically ethnocentric Nigeians are. The author writes to reclaim Nigeria and the reviewer does a good job to bring to the fore the sailient points and issues of interest in one piece and what do you see from the replies? Minds that are totally prejudiced! Who is Fulani here? The Author of Ibo descent or the reviewer of Edo origin who coincidentaLly haPpens to answer names synonymous with the nothern part of Nigeria. Some truly might have a good case about our ability to reclaim Nigeria and in defining or identifying those with the capacity or moral right to make the attempt.
Reclaim Nigeria from who?
Submitted by Armstrong (not verified) on December 21, 2011 - 16:05.
The reclaimation of Nigeria will be one the greatest wonder of the century. Nigeria is not country but a mere geographical expression and that's why it's rulers could behave the way they want and go scout free. Nigeria's currency are not in the bank but in private hands lying fallow in our rulers house, our constitution is a mere piece of paper, our judges take instruction from them in their palaces
Links
Submitted by TrutH (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 17:06.
Hey You, do not reclaim something that is not yours. nigeria belongs to the british/hausa/fulani/kanuri tiv etc
Links
Submitted by TrutH (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 16:53.
you should let us know what will happen after the reclamation. are we reclaiming nigeria for the benefits of the british? or the hausa,fulani,kanuri tiv???? by the way, who sent you? why are you trying to deceive your self that nigeria will survive as a nation? Someone carrying trailer load of beer across federal highways to another country, and some people somewhere attacked it and destroyed the whole beer, all his earnings and living gone. Nobody said anthing, and you want Nigeria to remain one?
Links
Submitted by TrutH (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 15:59.
to who will nigeria belong if its reclaim? hausa? fulani? kanuri? yoruba? tiv? or who? tell us before we reclaim it. and remember that this name nigeria was giving by the white men. again, they came from europe and occupied our land, they occupied the entire land belonging to different tribes in this geographical location and name it nigeria without consulting the people who originally owns the land. so what are you reclaiming? the hausa/fulani/kanuri and their yoruba bros should reclaim it.
THE ETHNIC MAGGOT "DERI" HAS NOT READ THE BOOK.
Submitted by osita DIOKA (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 15:43.
Chido's book was very precise and analytical,it cuts through the Nigerian problem like a hot knife through butter.It also offers hope to those of us who feel that there must be a way forward,other than the status quo.
However, amongst us, those of inferior mentality who must drag every issue down the ethnic avenue inorder to wet thier apetite for hate,bigotry and tribalism like the above mentioned will always be in the minority,they will be defeated and shamed by the overwhelming forces of a progressive Nigeria.
the same old epistle of zik and balewa
Submitted by deri (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 10:40.
FULANIS who think they can reclaim the spirit of Balewa and Zik through a book penned by an Igbo man in diaspora, but refused to back the call for resource control through umaru dikko cannot take us for another fulani hegemonic ride. Are we reclaiming 9ja for the Tuaregs in boko haram-or reclaiming her for the Fulanis turned hausas in Jos? We started the struggle to reclaim our Niger Delta through boro and kensarowiwa who was hanged by abacha-the book is empty, bereft of ideas. How can you start a revolution without a single revolutionary idea or vision. Was that how Castro reclaimed Cuba for Cubans. No wonder Ojukwu failed. Yes Nkrumah was a socialist with an independent philosophy and ideology (Consciencism and Nkrumahism)-may be Chidis subtle attempt to pull the rug under the feet of GEJ, should be tagged (Ojukwu-ism) for the purpose of clearity. Who knows what the yankees and the chaps in Arewa would sponsor him to pen next on Abiola who never was in Enugu on June 12. Animals
another balewa and zik epistle of old
Submitted by Deri (not verified) on December 16, 2011 - 10:39.
FULANIS who think they can reclaim the spirit of Balewa and Zik through a book penned by an Igbo man in diaspora, but refused to back the call for resource control through umaru dikko cannot take us for another fulani hegemonic ride. Are we reclaiming 9ja for the Tuaregs in boko haram-or reclaiming her for the Fulanis turned hausas in Jos? We started the struggle to reclaim our Niger Delta through boro and kensarowiwa who was hanged by abacha-the book is empty, bereft of ideas. How can you start a revolution without a single revolutionary idea or vision. Was that how Castro reclaimed Cuba for Cubans. No wonder Ojukwu failed. Yes Nkrumah was a socialist with an independent philosophy and ideology (Consciencism and Nkrumahism)-may be Chidis subtle attempt to pull the rug under the feet of GEJ, should be tagged (Ojukwu-ism) for the purpose of clearity. Who knows what the yankees and the chaps in Arewa would sponsor him to pen next on Abiola who never was in Enugu on June 12. Animals
