Friday, 20 January 2012

The Naija Issue

I know I said I would only blog once a month but events in Nigeria moved me to write this post

I avoid reading blogs - including mine - when I have a tight schedule. However, I checked on my blog today and saw Naijaline's comment in my last post and I decided to address the 'Naija issue'. Thanks Naijalines

My thoughts:

I last addressed the 'Naija conundrum' when Southern Youth Corpers were killed in the North here  Since then, we have seen more deaths, riots, chaos and increasingly staggering levels of corruption.

As a stubborn Fela-listening, Status-Quo-hating, Political Science undergraduate; taking part in students' protests was the norm for me - and my friends. However, some of those friends now occupy political positions and are now doing the same thing we all protested against. Similarly, some acquaintances who were Labour Union activists have now moved into politics - with an accompanying change in ideals.

Political change will only happen if those who are commited to it are not swayed by friends, familiies of finances or fear of discomfort.

If you think of Aung San Suu Kyi , Nelson Mandela ,Gandhi , Martin Luther King...............political change does not come easy

I don't want to preach to anyone.............Each person knows what they can or cannot live with.....

However, my only request is that - if you are a Nigerian - ask yourself:
- Are you willing to die for Nigeria?
- If you enter Nigerian politics, will you do things differently?
- I know quite a few bloggers who come from politically influential families......Do you feel guilty? Do you feel you can be an agent for change? Do you even want things to change?
- If you have a foreign passport, are you willing to hand it in and return to Nigeria to fight for change?


The recent protests accompanying the removal of fuel subsidy reminded me of the student protests we took part in years ago. It also gave me a glimmer of hope that things are changing in Nigeria. However, part of me worries that Nigerians are still easily swayed by money and power.

You think not??????.................Well............
- Think of how Nigerians visit popular Naija websites to sing the praises of ostentatious weddings of the children of prominent Nigerian politicians.
- Think of how we bow down to people who are wealthy but have no visible sources of income.
- Think of how we fight to join the campaign team of any relative or friend who declares his/her intention to run for a political position.
- Think of how we return home from abroad and start bribing, lying, queue-jumping and shoving as soon as we step off the plane

I refuse to sit behind my computer and preach to anyone about what they should or should not do - with regards to making Nigeria a better place to live. All I will say is LOOK WITHIN BEFORE YOU POINT THE FINGER...........then DO WHAT YOU CAN TO CHANGE NIGERIA....TODAY !!!

As I leave, I would like you to view this video of a great African revolutionary - Burkina Faso's Thomas Sankara
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36 comments:

  1. Pretty Lashes20 January 2012 at 14:50

    It so lovely to have you back NIL, I have purposely not added my mouth to all this occupy Nigeria things because I know I'm really not in the best position to defend anything or attack anyone.

    You are right though, before you point your finger, look deep inside,.
    xxx

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  2. Prism of an Immigrant20 January 2012 at 15:32

    Thanks for sharing Sankara's story. We need more men like him.

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)20 January 2012 at 19:45

      True dat!
      If we had half a Sankara............we'd be talking about a different Nigeria!

      Delete
  3. Unknown20 January 2012 at 15:49

    I'm glad my comment 'forced' you to post on 'the naija issue'. More grease to your elbow and more ink in your pen.

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)20 January 2012 at 19:46

      Thanks Adura
      Yes oh........you pushed me back onto this page
      Take care
      xxx

      Delete
  4. Myne20 January 2012 at 17:42

    The man in the Mirror - sang Micheal Jackson. Thanks for your contribution on this matter. And now Kano is burning. God help us.

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)20 January 2012 at 19:44

      So sad about Kano
      When will all this end?
      Mmmmm
      Thanks Myne

      Delete
  5. Naija4Life20 January 2012 at 19:10

    Thanks for adding your voice. I still believe regardless of past experiences, there are still good people in Nigeria who are willing to fight for what is right. Let us not give up on Nigeria just yet. The change we desire may not happen in our lifetime but we can only hope it happens for our children and children's children.

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)20 January 2012 at 19:44

      Thanks for your comment
      I believe you have misunderstood ALL I said
      I never said one should give up on Nigeria

      All I said was that we should not sit in the comfort of our homes abroad and tell people to enter Nigerian streets and protest. We should not dictate to others

      Each patriotic Nigerian should look inwards and identify whatever they are doing/ saying to contribute to this chaos. We should be honest with ourselves BEFORE pointing accusing fingers at others........

      The Sankara video shows that revolutions require action.....

      Delete
  6. Anonymous20 January 2012 at 21:32

    This post cuts deep. It's very easy to enter into preaching mode so your challenge is timely. We all have to live out the integrity of what we claim to stand for - that's the hard part.

    I think it's important to let the people who are actually on the scene take the lead while others support however they can. Kola has a great post about this very issue. I hope it's ok to leave a link to it here: http://www.ktravula.com/2012/01/how-you-can-help-the-occupy-nigeria-protests-from-outside-nigeria/#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed

    Nigeria has always had good people. The question is whether the horrible system that corrupts the few and represses the majority can be changed. I started to regain hope in Nigeria especially after seeing how people got involved in the last elections. In the past few weeks, i have been inspired by the way people in the country organised themselves in protesting and how Nigerians in other places joined in.

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)5 February 2012 at 19:30

      Thanks for your comment - and link to Travula's blog
      Like you, I have great hope in Naija
      xxx

      Delete
  7. Coy~Introvert21 January 2012 at 06:44

    I remember reading the story of Thomas Sankara somewhere on the web
    As for our nigerian issues, I still haven't been able to put my thoughts together, they are just everywhere

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  8. @ilola21 January 2012 at 10:32

    U are right. These things are easier said than done. We have to look at ourselves first and deal with the corruption inside of us. We all have our own

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)5 February 2012 at 19:32

      Ilola, as you said ' we all have our own'
      Nigeria is made up of Nigerians and we oft forget that a nation is a reflection of its people
      Thanks
      xxx

      Delete
  9. Ginger21 January 2012 at 11:58

    "Despite his excesses, Sankara’s unimpeachable personal integrity, his clear, innovative ideas and tireless dedication to his people set a standard for the leadership Africa deserves and craves". How that phrase "unimpeachable personal integrity" warms my heart. sigh


    For all his lofty ideals I see a man in uniform. Can Nigeria be saved be only saved by the millitary?

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)5 February 2012 at 19:33

      LOL @ 'How that phrase "unimpeachable personal integrity" warms my heart'
      I understand what you mean by a man in uniform. However, the end might just have to justify the means
      xxxx

      Delete
  10. 9jaFOODie21 January 2012 at 16:51

    Welcome backkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk1!!!!!!!!!1
    I agree with you..... we need to stop celebrating their lavish lifestyles. The weddings, the cars, the houses and all...... we need to seek transparency.

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)5 February 2012 at 19:34

      Thanks dearie
      Transparency is key
      We need to hold people accountable for their actions
      xxxx

      Delete
  11. alicia23 January 2012 at 02:51

    Stumbled on your blog and love it. Your post was so on point.

    As a people we seem to be excellent "armchair footballers",good at playing ball from the stands but when thrown in the field of play performing even worse than the players being criticised. I think the way forward is for every Nigerian to 'brighten the corner where they are' and stop passing the buck. A little light here, a little light there, gradually our nation will be aglow.

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)5 February 2012 at 19:42

      Thanks for dropping by
      Much appreciated
      I like that phrase ''brighten the corner where they are''
      That's all we need. Can you imagine what will happen if EVERY Nigerian stops littering or giving egunje??
      xxx

      Delete
  12. Anonymous25 January 2012 at 10:45

    There's so much going on here now and double the number of talk; everybody giving their 2 cents, recommending this and that and condemning the powers that be. My prayer's that Nigerians move past talk to actual implementation. We need an active Government and active citizens who encourage/support truth and honesty at all levels.

    Happy New Year N.I.L!

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)5 February 2012 at 19:43

      Thanks for your comments
      Much appreciated
      Like you said...implementation is key
      xxx

      Delete
  13. Anonymous26 January 2012 at 08:24

    Well said NIL. I definitely celebrate those luxury weddings without eally thinking about the source of the wealth. You've got me thinking deeper. Thank you.

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)5 February 2012 at 19:43

      LOL @ 'celebrating the luxury weddings'
      I know !!!
      So easy to..LOL
      Thanks for dropping by
      xxx

      Delete
  14. Toinlicious1 February 2012 at 16:12

    I'm always a fan of ur posts...the way you think outside the box. It's very easy to sit point fingers but we can do more. I don't expect us all to be Sankara and Martin Luther but we definitely can make our own impact. Thanx for the message. Happy new year and happy new month!

    p.s, thanx a lot for checking up on me. You're the best *hug*

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    1. N.I.L (Naijamum in London)5 February 2012 at 19:44

      Thanks so much for the lovely words.
      I try to keep an open mind - works sometimes, sometimes doesnt
      No probs re: 'checking more on you. Anytime !!!
      XXX

      Delete
  15. Daughter of Her King5 February 2012 at 21:01

    @NIL... aka blog mammi lol.. i hope u like the title.. thanks for visiting.. YAY.. I will the advice you mentioned on my blog on board. I guess some of the advice you gave are also part of my visions and i intend on blogging about that too.. thanks for the comment..

    Btw I have adopted you as blog mammi, am like the daughter you never had..loool.. pretty pls say yes..:).Ibhade would have been my other mammi but she is off blogville(Sad face, miss mami nittygritty and her tales).

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  16. Strong Self6 February 2012 at 21:27

    Hmmm... I can only take a deep sigh after reading those powerful questions you asked in the post. There is one thing you said in the post and it really almost moved me to tears at how we change so easily in this country. You said; "As a stubborn Fela-listening, Status-Quo-hating, Political Science undergraduate; taking part in students' protests was the norm for me - and my friends. However, some of those friends now occupy political positions and are now doing the same thing we all protested against. Similarly, some acquaintances who were Labour Union activists have now moved into politics - with an accompanying change in ideals."

    Happy New Year N.I.L!

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  17. Unknown21 February 2012 at 12:24

    Its been a while..
    I read your piece and I so do hope that it gets to the right quarters
    That said, Happy New year.....

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  18. Toinlicious24 February 2012 at 10:27

    Hey *waving* feb is almost over so come and do this month's post o!

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  19. Molara Brown28 February 2012 at 17:46

    I will not judge, I am not even happy about returning to Nigeria. The country is becoming a mess. Not sure about dying for Nigeria, but at least I am sure of doing things right.

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  20. dayor1 March 2012 at 16:06

    I sit here and I ask myself...How did we get to this point as a country? How? ....You said it all N.I.L...we all have a part to play

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  21. Utah graphic design9 March 2012 at 17:05

    Is this another sort of occupy somewhere campaign. Though i am not really too familiar within Nigeria. One thing is for sure then, there are still concerned citizen of Nigeria.

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  22. Toinlicious13 March 2012 at 14:30

    *passing by and peeping*

    ReplyDelete

I always look forward to reading comments from visitors - so please leave yours. Many thanks for dropping by....xoxoxox

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