Adisa Adeleye
WITHIN the last decade, some strange words seem to have sneaked surreptitiously into the dictionary of social science or political philosophy.
However words bandied by literary giants could have different meanings or given different interpretations by different interest groups, depending on the prevailing social and political environment of the moment.
It is inconceivable, howbeit unbelievable, to have a thought that a country well endowed with material and human resources, a country abundantly blessed by God of Africa to lead the continent of Africa could ever falter to the extent of it being noted as a failing or a failed state or its proud citizens becoming wasted.
To a layman, a ‘failed country’ would carry embarrassing characteristics of political and economic instability and social disorder – a sort of modern Hobbesian ‘state of nature.
Looking back in pleasure or justified anger, one could envisaged a beautiful country created out of many tribes and cultures by the colonial maters about a century ago, to walk and run and create an enviable, impression on the globe.
Unfortunately, the child of circumstances has refused to grow, walk and run. It is still crawling since 1914and still being spoon-fed since 1960. Unlike some other nations of the world, it has refused to disintegrate even after a disastrous civil war and the insurgence of vocal but dangerous militant youths.
What about the present political situation in such a beloved country? There are political parties without a political system, lacking in discipline and bereft of political ideology. Political parties differ in names but agree on cardinal policies which are hardly followed. All parties preach full employment, comprehensive health services, good roads, potable water for drinking, improved agriculture for cash and food crops and economic policy that would ensure macro-economic stability.
In politics we are remiss and amiss in our civic duties. Federal, State and Local Governments are run on party basis with winners capturing everything – posts, honour and money. And since the packages are juicy enough, no sacrifice is counted too much to win the political prize. Democracy suffers terrible knocks during party primary contests and general elections proper. Various forms of malpractices are employed from stealing of ballot boxes to maiming and killing of opponents. The result often is the appearance of fraudsters at the corridors of power not by the votes of the people.
True Nigerians over the decades have not been keeping mute over the glaring assaults on their political rights to have their votes count and effective. A recent attempt at democratization of the electoral system is the Justice Uwais Report which is being handled with amazing levity by the ruling class. The introduction of Independent Candidate would weaken party dictatorship and also, the possible adoption of proportional voting system could to some extent, affect the ‘winners-take-all syndrome.
It is a pity that multi-party system which is an important ingredient of democracy is gradually being decimated by the awful force of the ruling class. The opposition is divided and weakened by capricious acts of the ruling party which embarks on embracing the chameleonic traits of some governors and legislators.
Nigeria which started on its political journey with British flexible parliamentary system now operates the US Federal system without the American famed tolerance and resilience. Ours is a very costly political experiment bringing into focus the extravagant living and pompous attitude of the ruling elites.
Nigeria of today is a massive structure of 36 States with a strong centre and weak and poor States. Though a ‘federation’, it appears that the country is being run like a unitary State with each State going to the capital city of Abuja to collect its monthly allowance, which could amount to about 80per cent of its budgeted revenue. The size of monthly takings would depend on the volatility of oil price in the world market.
On the economic scene, Nigeria before and at independence relied on agriculture and its products for survival. There was healthy rivalry among the regions leading to bouts of social and economic developments. Then came the mighty Oil in the 1970s and the dreadful decades after, with the destructive impact on agriculture and honest living of ordinary Nigerians.
The profligacy of various governments was matched, if not overmatched, by the conspicuous consumption of public officials and politicians. The night robbers joined in, and later became daring armed robbers challenging private security officials and the police in broad daylight for their own share of oil money.
The militants of the Niger Delta ruled the creeks before the military intervention of JTF and the subsequent well-deserved amnesty by President Yar’Adua. However, the kidnapping traits, emanating from the embattled Niger Delta region continue to spread like the Californian wild fire to other areas of the country. All in search of the oil money, elusive to many, but wantonly flaunted by a privileged few.
Here is a country of opulence of the few and abject poverty of the majority of the populace. Here is country which is much dependent on imports because of a very weak manufacturing base; a nation which imports oil which it produces abundantly; an amazing country reeling under political and social decadence, widespread rural poverty and urban congestion with attendant filth and disease.
There is evidence of widespread distress under fumbling leadership, and moments of humiliation through defeats in many major events.
On a quiet afternoon reflection, a generation that could produce critical literary giants like Professors Achebe and Soyinka in their seventies; a generation that nurtured Ganni Fawehinmi and recognized his virtues as a dogged fighter for the poor and the masses, and honoured him more at his death, a generation that produces great fighters against corruption in all its phases – certainly, could not wear the toga of a ‘wasted’ one.
However, if the likes of Achebe and Soyinka could still not change the society from social decadence, if Gani Fawehinmi left the country in almost total darkness and masses still in poverty, then something is definitely wrong with a polity which has not ‘failed’ yet, but perching on the precipice of disaster.
Perhaps this generation is greedy like the Green Eagles which led the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia by 2 goals to 1 about ten minutes to the closing time and still wanted to score more goals rather than consolidate their position. Maybe the leadership of the younger generation is greedy and careless. To me, our own generation could not by any means by adjudged, ‘failed’.
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I concur with the contributors, the papers add to our depression by sparing no details of the wanton looting, taking place the populace in their usual way enter a state of denial, because they are divided along ethno-religious lines, i worry for this vultures that have sought the destruction of this Nation, they may not realize it but a new generation of the self-enlightened is emerging, one that cannot be lied to.They need to worry about their impatience and worst still the lack of fear in their willingness to take up arms, they know each other and care little were they have their umbilicals buried, they had better seek their decimation fast before they rise, because once they do, there will be no turning back.
Nigeria may be a failed state by all accounts and standards but I still faith in its people and their resourcefulness. people make and build up a country with the right leadership and followers.
Why is it that only Soyinka, Tai Solarin or Gani that challenge th nigeriam leadership and elite? Where are the other 140 million nigerians. If each and every nigerian challenge their councellors, local govt chiefs, state governors and the mad people in abuja to perform or be dragged out office, may be there would be viable changes.
Soyinka not only worn a nobel laurate but made his small contibution to FRSC. those of us who remember this outfit would recollect how they made our roads safer and began to inculcate good driving habits. but when the unit became politicalised, you cab’t differentiate them between a yellow fever apart from their uniform.
Look at Tai and the long fight for education and equality, not minding its stinct with peoples bank. by the what has become of this bank?
Fela and the rest of Kuti family contributed their own quotas to nigeria. fela in music and rebellion against the status quo that most nigerians have now accepted as norm. The other Kutis had impeccable contribution in the fiedl of medicine and human right advocacy.
Late Gani’s exploits are still fresh in our memory. But where are the other nigerians?
Let’s be blunt about it. Federal character and quota system will not bail nigeria out of the doldorum! Look at the state of education, power and electricity, roads and transport, law enforcement and justice.
We can’t keep blaming the brits or the colonisation. No one remembers that USA was colonised by britain, india and pakistan were colonised too. So was Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt. Middle east and latin american countries were colonised too.
Let’s stop the accussation of outsiders. The evil that is stopping us is amongst us. Unless we remove the demon and cancer worm of money worship regardless of the source, we are going no where. It is not a bad thing to have money and make money, so don’t get me wrong, as long as the source of the moey is legitimate. Most people who have money invest the gem wisely and for productive activity, not like nigerians for hidding in swiss drums and blankets or self aggradisements. Go and ask warren buffet or bill gate or brandson, they suffer no fools about their money.
Today, nigeria is a failed state but if we act rightly and quickly, the lost grounds can be recovered. We need sovereign national congress devoid of the current political class, to fashion and mould the new direction. Economic and political developments to flow from the huts to the towns and cities and not from abuja.
Abuja just like ajaokuta, ikot epene alumium and the army have been huge disappointments and monomental wastes. Thanks to the Russians and Julius Berger doing in nigeria what they could never do in Russia and Germany. We should invest no further in them until the core areas of nigerian life have been addressed. why continue to invest in them when we can’t refine a barrel of crude locally or feed ourselves without importation of food?
Folk,s the last time i was in Nigeria i saw a lot of strange things. In the streets people seems to be agressieve, angry and unfriendly because of hunger. Some of our brothers are behaving like mad or confused, and in the villages some seem to be lost with the reality. many were ready to poison you. I was repeatedly advised not to eat at this uncle’s place or that aunt’s place for fear of being poisoned. when i saw the sufering of little children having to fetch water from the stream 2 km away early each morning b/4 going to school with empty stomach and decided to help my village with a bore hole. The chiefs(A king) and other local politicians almost killed me, ( i excaped ) accusing me of having political plans whereas i live 8 thousand km away, have never and will never engage in politics.This is the kind of result you get with 90 years of confusion/amalgamation. (Lord Lugard) Nigeria failed in 1919. I challenge anyone to prove me wrong. Where i live you can walk around 24 hours in the street without fear of anything with streetlights everywhere, but in Nigeria it’s 24 hours of danger. danger from police, danger from armed robbers, danger from hunger, danger from bad roads, danger from pure water, Folk, Nigeria, (we) have failed long ago and it have to do with the type of leadership we had ( ethnic / political )
Lets get our facts right. The people of Nigeria, most especially the leaders failed Nigeria.
Wole Soyinka, if he had been an Engineer, or famous Medical scientist, or even or Entrepreneur might have a bigger impact on Nigeria. He may have created more jobs, and wealth. But, He did the best he could for his country as a noble Prize winnner in Literature. Nigerian leaders failed him.
Fela Kuti, could have also become the medical doctor his father wanted him to be, but he choose music. He did his best, he spoke to the hearts of Nigeria’s infamous leaders through his legendary songs till the day he died.
It is up to you, Average Nigerians in Nigeria and abroad, to get your acts together and fight for what is rigthfully yours, invents solutions to your problems. It is up to change your mentality and approach to live, and stop relying on so government that has continued to fail you.
But I am hopefull that positive change is comming!!
The departed Bush Administration in US had predicted that this country (NIGERIA) will no longer exist as a Nation after 20 years. Papa Igbochukwu Obasanjo disputed the prediction; now we are beginning to see the after effect of the prediction. Our so called Democracy was based on “HYPOCRISY”. “Unity and Faith” has been replaced by “Lies an Deceptions”. Just today, the recent former president of Taiwan( for eight years) together with his wife have just been sentensed to “LIFE” imprisionment for grafting. He and his wife embezzled close to 30 million dollars. This money is a drop in the bucket to what we are seeing in Nigeria. Ibori, Obasanjo, Babangida, Anenih, Ekweme, Ndi Okereke, Atiku, Celia Ibru, Dangote, Otedola, Akingbola, Ibrahim, Kenny Matins, Sarakis, and many more have become “TEFLON DONS”. They are just above the laws of the land. Fawehinmi fought effortlessly to bring some of these “FAT CATS” to justice but failed. Obasanjo just said openly that his responsibilities as president did not include providing the people of this Nation with water and electricity. Yar’Ardua should have arrested him and charged him for “HIGH TREASON”. No former president(s) in any developed World would make such a fascist statement and got away with it. If in Nigeria of today we widely open our eyes and allow Baba Alibaba Igbochukwu Obasanjo to walk around scottfree and be mocking us, then this country is in a failed state, ready to dis_integrate. We continue blaming Yar’Ardua for all the “ILLS” Obasanjo, Atiku, and Soludo incurred on this Nation; How do we expect him to rectify all these situation in two years. EVERYTHING HAS FAILED.
Excuse me, you just knowing or realised that Nigeria is not only a failed but a forgone society, well buddy brace up for more unpalatables and teeth gnashings, When 10percent of the populace grab the treasury for their selfish goodies and danddies, boy oh boy, i need some help to comprehend this. The irony of the facts that make me wink was ,the most present looters as we speak were the very ones who cried wolf decades ago about these same goliath national cancer ,and now this, their turns, then next so on and so fort.. My candid thinking is and will be that greed, looting.corruption. grafts are parts of our genes, lifestyles. The british inplant them in us and it is curable.
Mr Adeleye, I followed to a point and got confused, from the begining you highlighted all the attributes that qualified nigeria as a failed state, but concluded that Nigeria is not a failed state. One does not need a soothsayer to know that this nation is not only failed nation, but also one that has wasted many generations, because it is contineous. How do you define a failed state, what are the attributes of a failed state that is not very visible in Nigeria? A country that have no regard for the live and wellbeing of it’s citizenry. Walk accross the streets of most cities in nigeria and compare the living standard of majority of Nigerians to that of some animals in some developed countries, at least in some western countries you can kill animals anyhow, but here people get slaughtered on dailies basis by armed robbers. do we talk about those that get killed on our highways as a result of bad roads. what about those that are dying due to preventable diseases, but who are so impoverished that they cannot go to hospitals, even when you manage to go there, you are asked to buy torchlight, generator fumes are killing our people in their droves, where do we start, this house has indeed fallen.
Sorry, Mr Adeleye. Your contribution is somewhat confusing. Are you in all seriousness contesting the fact that Nigeria is, at the very least, a failing state, if it had not actually become a failed one? As to whether Soyinka’s was a wasted generation, that is, quite simply, beyond question.
The Nigerian state can be said to be a failed state because it exhibits all traits of a failed state. All sector of the nation is in a failure state. Education, health,social infrastructure,banking,power,transportation,economy,industries, etc. Even the political sector has failed. What else are the attributes of a failed state? A nation cannot cater for its citizen is deemed to have failed.
YOUR GENERATION IS LOST