There's a new breed of Nigerians and I confirmed the discovery this morning. I did not make a physical discovery it was a mental one. As I was tweeting my life away this morning (vacation) I had an exchange with a friend of mine who happens to be from another tribe. In our conversation he greeted me in the manner that is customary of my language, and he proceeded to carry out small talk in my language.It was a light hearted exchange that made me come to this realization. Based on his twitter name (Edoboy) and previous tweets, anyone would guess that this guy is proud of what side of the country his allegiances lie. However he is able to take that aside and embrace the culture of someone not affiliated with his people.
This is the kind of thing that gives this new generation of Nigerians a chance at changing the country and the world. We have grown up either in the west or for those in Nigeria were constantly exposed to those romanticized ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity . It can be argued that these western ideals might erode traditional beliefs and culture, but that's a topic for another day.
The new Nigerian is someone who understands and values his distinct cultural background, however he is able to step into the 21st century to understand, appreciate, and take interest in the culture of his fellow countrymen. Tribalism definitely is not dead, but I like to think the lines are beginning to blur slowly but surely.
The new Nigerian is at ease in his home village as he is with someone from another tribe or even his contemporaries abroad. The person of low mentality that Fela (if you're not familiar , get familiar asap) spoke of in his song ITT, still holds prominence in the Nigerian social structure, however his days are numbered. The new Nigerian will eventually take his place at the table and ask for a fair shake. This is already occurring at the grass roots level.
A prominent example of this is a gentleman who is organizing a movement to light up Nigerian. With the use of social media he has sparked a grass roots effort that has galvanized people at home and in the diaspora to task the Nigerian government with supplying basic power needs. I admire the work of Amara Nwanpaka (@bubsun) and others like him because they are bringing light (no pun intended) to issues that affect us all.
The new Nigerians are ladies and gentleman, however that is cast aside when it comes to the issue facing the nation. They are mad as hell and won't take it anymore.
Well Happyblackman,you are probably happy because you are a constant optimist. Your belief and positivism is indeed refreshing.
ReplyDeleteYet, it has to be said that Nigeria, a fundamental microcosm of the developing world has disappointed many optimists before you. Historically, from the days of Nigeria's founding Nationalists, optimism has been broken, distraught and disillusioned by the very nature of our system.
The Kwame Nkrumah's, the Nnamdi Azikiwe's, the Herbert Macaulay's, the Awolowo's - all these men studied and lived abroad; and for a time, they even forgot their ethnic differences and dreamt of a United Africa, where the black man got past his Du Bois type dualistic challenge, and fully utilized the strength of his resources. Alas, all of these men where disappointed before their death and left with hope for their posterity.
The cankerworms of greed and tribalism have kept their ideals in the non-physical realm. Happyblackman, I envy your optimism, but I worry that the Africa you dream of, is one yet far away as long as greed continues to thrive as it is, in our Africa - the abandoned cradle of mankind and civilization.