Skip to main content

THE DILEMMA OF NIGERIAN IDENTITY AND THE STRUGGLES OF NATIONAL PRIDE

There was a time when being Nigerian was synonymous with pride, resilience, and ingenuity. Unfortunately, that pride is increasingly being overshadowed by a harsh reality: Nigerians may not be as smart, brave, or capable as we often portray ourselves to be. Our historical and contemporary experiences seem to suggest a troubling dependency on external supervision to thrive. Nigeria flourished under colonial administration, not because of its imposed nature but due to the structured systems the colonial masters left behind. Today, we find success abroad under the structured governance of foreign lands, but we fail to replicate this success in our homeland. This discrepancy raises uncomfortable questions about our national character and capability.

The phenomenon of "japa," the mass emigration of Nigerians seeking greener pastures abroad, is often celebrated as an act of ambition. Yet, upon closer scrutiny, it reveals itself as an act of cowardice and resignation. It symbolizes not just an escape from oppressive leadership but also a betrayal of the collective responsibility to fight for the betterment of our nation. By fleeing, we inadvertently admit that we, as citizens, are as complicit in our country’s decline as the leaders we blame. Corruption permeates every layer of society, and our passive acceptance of oppression exposes a lack of courage and self-respect.

Reasonable people resist bad governance, election rigging, or military dictatorship; they do not waste energy and financial resources fleeing their country and masking the act with a sophisticated term like japa.

Consider what recently happened in South Korea: instead of running away in fear of death, the people stood their ground and resisted the president’s declaration of martial law. The legislators impeached the president for declaring a state of emergency. Two weeks later, they also impeached the acting president for stalling the appointment of two justices to the Constitutional Court, which would evaluate the trial of the impeached president. Several officials who carried out the illegal orders were arrested, and the second acting president is now on high alert, knowing he too could face impeachment if he falters.

Had such a situation occurred in Nigeria, the outcome would likely have been different. The state of emergency would have been enforced without resistance, the legislature would have capitulated to the president’s demands, citizens would have remained silent, and any protests would have been quelled by exploiting ethnic and religious divisions. Meanwhile, the judiciary might have legitimized the state of emergency without question.

The shame of being Nigerian is not rooted in our culture or potential but in the dissonance between our self-image and reality. We pride ourselves on being giants in Africa, yet our achievements on the global stage are individual, not collective. As a nation, we have become a “big-for-nothing” entity, with citizens who exaggerate their worth while ignoring the systemic failures that undermine us.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

OBOREVWORI: How Not To Glorify A 'One Chance' Governor - By Zik Gbemre

It is appalling how, in desperation to sustain its thieving hegemony over the Delta State Government since 1999, the Delta PDP had the audacity to impose the weakest, most uninformed contender, a local champion, as Governor over a state replete with accomplished men and women of immense capacity. Given this unenviable privilege, one would have expected the fortunate placeholder governor, Sheriff Oborevwori—whose only election campaign manifesto was pledging to improve on the failed leadership of Ifeanyi Okowa, his predecessor—to engage creative minds and individuals of proven integrity to assist him in making a difference. Rather than doing the needful, Oborevwori has worsened matters by electing to engage the same spent leaders, deadwood, and gluttons that have gained prominence in running the state down over successive administrations. The result has been a government of mediocre officeholders competing to run the state for their pockets at the detriment of the populace, under a gove...

EDO GUBER ELECTION: Omo-Agege, Faith Majemite, Others Appointed Into APC National Campaign Council

Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) unveiled a 197-member council on Wednesday to lead its campaign. According to the list released by APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has been appointed as the chairman of the campaign council. Governor Otu will be supported by Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda as co-chairman and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole as deputy chairman. Other members of the 197-member team include Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who will serve as Assistant Secretary; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Hon. Faith Majemite; and other governors elected on the APC platform. The recently reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, who recently defecte...

THE ENDURING LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP: Chief James Ibori Celebrated for His Impact on Delta State

On Friday, May 31st, during the funeral service for the Late Asagba of Asaba, the essence of true leadership was vividly displayed. The service featured the introduction of various dignitaries, including Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation who represented President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. As each dignitary was introduced, the church remained silent. However, the atmosphere dramatically changed when the name of Former Governor James Ibori was announced; the congregation erupted in wide jubilation and applause. This reaction was so profound that even Senator George Akume and Governor Obaseki could not hide their astonishment. The enthusiastic reception for Chief James Ibori during this solemn occasion highlighted his enduring legacy among the people of Delta State. Despite having left office seventeen years ago, he continues to be celebrated whenever he attends public functions i...