RE: NIGERIA NEEDS A REVOLUTION
No prizes for figuring out, that Nigeria needs change badly. A change of heart, structural change, or an outright revolution. Whatever we choose to call it, one thing is certain, Nigeria needs to follow a path drastically different from that which it is presently on. Below I opine that Nigerians may not get the drastic change which we desperately seek. The change, if any, will be slow and less dramatic. If this is the future that awaits Nigeria shouldn't we start making plans for the long trip?
I believe Kenya or Cote D'Ivoire, will not happen in Nigeria. I will even stretch that further by saying, Kenya or Cote D'Ivoire, will not happen even if the politics gets dirtier than it is at the moment. Revolt and revolutions are mostly driven by economic sentiments. The dynamics of the Nigerian economy will not permit the type of disruptions that will lead to an all out revolution (Pretty hard to get the French revolution out of ones head). The biggest stumbling block to a revolution occurring in Nigeria is the emerging middle class (they call themselves the rich). As this class of hardworking individuals emerge and get on the conveyor belt of the Nigerian dream, which will eventually lead to the treadmill of capitalism, they will stifle unrest. This will happen because, unrests and drastic change will no longer be attractive to this subset. Rather, they would advocate for patches, plans and less disruptive change. The rich in Nigeria figured it out when they started handing out small loans, mortgages, and fairly well paying jobs to Nigerians. The Nigerian elite now invest in their home country. Isn't it time to abandon the dreams of a revolutionized Nigeria from which brand new Nationalism will emerge for a well thought out national plans. Time to exchange those berets for the drawing boards. We will make changes for sure, its just not going to be disruptive or done overnight.
Why is all of this important? One, it allows for the formation of the proper expectations and also it allows the guy on the street to formulate his/her own plan of action. If we realize that the much awaited time, when all of us will suddenly 'get it' and therefore take to the streets demanding change, isn't really going to come. Then maybe we will be more willing to commit to a slow, sure and steady plan. In response to , who initially asked this question I dare to say, Nigeria will not have bloody revolution, we would not even get a bloodless revolution. We may get a National plan and if we get pretty lucky a leader that can articulate the plan.
Also See:
Viva La Revolucion by Adeola Aderounmu...
This is sort of a meme over at the .
6Comment(s):
I believe Kenya or Cote D'Ivoire, will not happen in Nigeria.
May be because it's already happening, locally but constatly..
How long have news about Nigeria gone without a mention of some riot, some killings or something here and there ? Actually the fact that is so constant is the reason why it's ignored.
That said, it adds up to your general sentiment. Good or bad, the change will be slow and painful and decentralized and nobody will be able to take credit or blame for it. It just happens.
Hi Omo,
If what happened in Kenya is what we might call a revolution, then I would be pretty much perturbed. We watched in horror as two greedy men( Odinga and kibaki) stirred their people up against each other just for political gain.
I ´d be opting for CHANGE in Nigeria without bloodshed and violence, I don´t care if it is done consciously or unconsciously, but I guess the change will have to begin with our mindset.
Btw..Happy new year
Revolutions don’t work and I will not advocate for one, however bloodless. It only creates band-aid solutions while leaving the people all flushed with a pipe-dream that change is imminent.
a visit to Nigeria will convince you that effecting reforms or changes will be a slow and pains taking process. maybe many decades to come. there is a lot of opportunities for sure; but with Nigerians articulating a new vision for change with fresh perspectives and a new idealism and new energy into workable solutions will be the necessary stimulus needed; coupled with structural or systemic changes to our failing institutions.
At the peril of sounding not like a Nigerian (ever complaining, never seeing anything good, I think the changes are already happening, only that we sometimes are too impatient to notice them.
And random african, Kenya is not happening in Nigeria. At least not in the magnitude that we read about in the last few weeks. There are elections, there are riots, but the country does not shut down.
Of course the country doesn't shut down. You can't shut down Nigeria. The Biafran War, the June 93 movement didn't shut Nigeria down.
That was exactly my point. It happens in Kano or Aba or the Delta or Jos or in even in Aja (while I was in Lagos).. All the time. And the death tolls are scary too.
The people are looking for direction from their leaders.Instead of the "it's not my father's property" attitude,let's all see Nigeria as our collective asset.We don't need violence at all.Once the leaders set the example by eschewing corruption,and providing the average citizen with food,shelter and education,the rest of the people will follow suit.