I have since reached the well founded conclusion, judging from my moderate knowledge of the subject, that Nigeria is a classic example of a byzantine contraption. Both in its administrative structure and human composition, the nation defiles clear cut expert explanation as to how it manages to emerge from every existence - defining event it has experienced since securing sovereignty.
I have since reached the well founded conclusion, judging from my moderate knowledge of the subject, that Nigeria is a classic example of a byzantine contraption. Both in its administrative structure and human composition, the nation defiles clear cut expert explanation as to how it manages to emerge from every existence - defining event it has experienced since securing sovereignty.
In spite of the clamouring for fiscal restructuring and accountability by sections of the country, and when one most expects to see a break away region once negotiations (or is it agitation?) fail, Nigeria calls on its inborn elasticity and rebound, but only for the worst.
Of course, there is no nation without people. If Nigeria confounds my understanding, her citizens’ uncanny capacity to devise ‘man-must-survive’ strategies leaves me surreally numb.
The dilemma is this: what is in a Nigerian’s biological make up that makes him break the wall, when having his/her back to it, instead of fighting back?
Why do Nigerians prefer to complain about corrupt public officials in their bedrooms, at beer parlours and social functions only to openly heap praises on same through praise singing at any given opportunity?
Why is the concept of ‘turn-by-turn’ (or zoning in PDP) only adopted by Nigerians when discussing which ethnic nationality is next to pillage the national treasury?
In order to better understand this rather intriguing phenomenon, I have adopted a deconstructionist approach to appreciating the Nigerian. This, of course, is a representative sampling of Nigerian characters.
If petrol is scarce and exorbitant to the point that public transportation breaks down, the Nigerian would calmly walk hundreds of kilometers to his market stall or office without batting an eyelid. No grumbling beyond the hearing range of his/her family and friends. When elections are advertently and blatantly rigged, the Nigerian retreats to his shackles to bemoan his fate retorting:
“Well, God dey!”
“E go better”
What has made us adapt to this near slavery, poverty stricken, “E go better” mentality?
The Nigerian loves life to the fullest and is as tough as they get. He/she must be resilient to have withstood the plague of post June 12 imbroglio, in which millions ate from the dustbin and millions more cooked with sawdust. As a sign of the era, “dumping”, the act of picking up rubbish from rubbish dumps in order to sell to people, was innovated by the poorest of the poor as a means of survival. He/she didn’t join the horde of protesters to agitate for the declaration of his/her vote. It didn’t matter; after all, “E go better.”
When it became increasingly difficult to secure admission into tertiary institutions, the Nigerian devise mercenary or ‘examining by proxy’ in order to stay ahead of the pack. This may not be uniquely Nigerian; but it bears semblance with our everyday survival struggles. It does not matter what course a graduate studied, but he/she sets his sight on a banking job.
Sadly, in Nigeria, you find an engineer, a religious knowledge graduate, a pharmacist, lawyer etc at a bank’s counter counting and handling naira while the economics, business administration or accounting graduate roams the street in search of employment.
In reality, both the employed and unemployed fight for a spot on the social scene. Attend a social gathering in Lagos and behold the sight of well dressed young men and women. Many in the crowd are, of course, unemployed but clutch expensive cell phones and camcorders. On such occasions, the dividing line between the employed and the jobless becomes blurred.
Showing off, even if we can’t afford it, is in our blood. This is one of the causes of corruption that is traceable to our intrinsic make up as Nigerians. The Nigerian in us must show that “im pass im neighbour!”
You may have been accosted, at some point in Lagos, by a sweetly dressed, well-spoken young man.
“Good evening, Sir”, he says.
“Sorry to disturb you but I must head to Alagbado.”
“While struggling to join molue at Oshodi, someone picked my pocket. My wallet is missing.”
“Can you spare me 500 naira to get home?”
If you are magnanimous enough to assist, don’t expect the fellow to race toward the bus stop heading homeward. Tarry awhile and you see him approach another victim with the same tale! Go to Alagbado, the approaching fellow will tell you he needs money to get to Bariga. And in Bariga, they need money to travel to Shangisha! They wouldn’t consider engaging in a humble trade but would rather design devious means to survive.
All it takes is for someone to contrive a sly scheme and it will spread like wildfire.
Of course, the copycat syndrome is another element of our characteristic make up. When skin bleaching was introduced into Nigeria by some unfortunate “Yankee based” blacks, it became the favourite of who- is- who. Till date, Governor Alao Akala of conservative Oyo State still thinks it cool to bleach his skin!
Due to his lack of exposure and education, he is oblivious of the fact that melanin, the insoluble pigment responsible for maintaining our dark colour, is bleached off thereby. Ask Caucasians what the lack of melanin does to their skins in summer and you will rush to advise that “oyinbo” governor to desist.
419 wouldn’t have been as widespread, in Nigeria, as it is today were it not for our copycat tendency. These days, it is fashionable to shop in Dubai even though same product abound in Mandillas, Lagos or in the boutiques in Ikeja!
Perhaps Nigerians believe a Gucci handbag bought abroad is classier than the same Gucci handbag sold in a boutique on Allen Avenue. Thus the idea that “everything foreign” is good is another destructive element in our make up.
Tell me, what really should one expect of a people who import ordinary toothpicks?
For each hardworking, dedicated Nigerian out there, there are five gullible others lurking to catch a victim as means of survival. It’s not just yahoo-yahoo or 419. Or where do you place the clothes trader at Yaba market, the motor spare parts dealer at Alaba or Onitsha market, the cattle seller in Kano, Zaria etc who would readily cheat his customers out of some hard earned naira?
To the Nigerian, everyone and thing is game once he sets his sight on an unmerited prize. For instance, Sola Saraki, having pocketed Kwara State, exhibits no qualms in wanting his son, the present governor, to handover the reins to his daughter! To his consternation, every “riff raff” is contesting because his son, Bukola Saraki, has opened up the race to every Kwaran. Where in our constitution is Kwara the property of the Sarakis to the extent that indigenes of that state are his serfs while he is their lord?
When those who wish us evil solely by misgoverning our resources have nothing else to appropriate to themselves, I reckon they will demand for our lives next. And since the Nigerian is ever ready to break and pass through the wall rather than fight back, the battle for survival will take another dimension in the face of “kill me or I kill you.”
I pray it doesn’t get to that.
But our refusal, as a people, to take the fight to our slave masters inflames the leaders’ determination to keep us perpetually downtrodden. It’s a matter of time before they finish us off with a sledge hammer since they have the upper hand!
When they are done with us, Nigeria will be broken up like soon –to- be- divided Sudan.
Seriously speaking, what benefit is there in remaining as one if the only time we ever cohabit is to watch Chelsea Football Club of London play Manchester United Football Club? To your farms, you Southerners. Oil wells burnt with nothing left. To your grazing fields, you Northerners. Mass of land, un-inhabitable!
A word is enough only for the wise.
Idowu Ohioze resides in Edmonton, Canada.
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