The Nigerian story

Number of Pages: 208. Book Reviewer: Professor Elijah Baiyeri From its attractive cover page bearing the green white green colours of the Nigerian flag beneath, the map of Nigeria in the middle with pictures of all the 14 leaders, past and present, who have so far ruled Nigeria, the title “My Country, My Home,” is […]

Number of Pages: 208.

Book Reviewer: Professor Elijah Baiyeri

From its attractive cover page bearing the green white green colours of the Nigerian flag beneath, the map of Nigeria in the middle with pictures of all the 14 leaders, past and present, who have so far ruled Nigeria, the title “My Country, My Home,” is indeed apt. There are also pictures of all the Nigerian currencies and the Nigerian Coat-of-Arms in the book and the introduction contains a brief history of Nigeria. In addition, there are over forty bullet points in footnotes about Nigeria as a country. The book is simply exciting, inspiring, entertaining, yet sober and action packed for a greater Nigeria.

The book with two hundred and eight pages, is divided into two parts (part one and two). Within, the author, in a heartfelt, deep chronicle of events, past and present, accessed Nigeria from a poetic perspective by pointing out some of the socio political, economic, religious and ideological problems plaguing Nigeria – Our Country, Our Home.

The author advocates total cleansing of the system through this radical work while at the same time, making a wake up call on all and sundry. In the poem, Nigeria, the aurhor stated “I will not blame a Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba/It is about the personage/Rather than the Lineage”. By that, he clearly points out that the major problem with Nigeria as a nation is selfishness. Even after holding unto power by some leaders from one region or state, there is mostly no appreciable improvement in the lives of the people from that state or region, since they still wallow in abject poverty while such a leader parades himself proudly as an achiever. So many of the works are depicted by symbolic pictures and there are a few recognition pages for some outstanding Nigerians.

PART ONE (1)

This part consists mainly of poems and commentaries by the author in form of notes after most of the poems, either explaining the poem or suggesting the way forward. With fifty four poems, it starts with the poem “Stranded” and ends with the poem titled “Goodluck or What”.

In between the first and the last poems in part one, there are some fifty two poems.

PART TWO (2)

The short introduction to part two reads as follows “The development of every nation revolves around its leaders both past and present. When their motives, actions and achievements are taken together, you get a direct consequence of it on the whole nation.

On the above premise, it is therefore worthwhile to attempt the profiling of our past leaders so far, to help us see their shortcomings, high points, where they succeeded, failed or impacted our nation whether positively or negatively in order for us to learn how to avoid future pitfalls and improve upon already established milestones for a greater Nigeria.

I hope you find this objective enough, educative, interesting and a point of reflection.

Make a difference”.

Starting from President Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe up to Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the author gives an account of all the past Nigerian leaders. He states some of their milestones, actions or inactions whether positive or negative, which taken together as a whole, have brought Nigeria to its present state.

While some leaders, for example, General Muhammed Buhari is recognized for his passion to reform Nigeria by introducing War Against Indiscipline, vigorously enforcing adherence to good ethical norms and change in lifestyle for the better, some others who came before and after him were in most cases, entrenched in the urge for personal enrichment, personal safety and survival to the detriment of the generality.

The author is mild on the leadership style of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, General Yakubu Gowon, General Muhammed Buhari and Chief Ernest Shonekan. All the others receive hard knocks either because of monumental failure, credibility problems or too early to pronounce like the case of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

In accessing the leaders, the author looks into the following aspects of their leadership: their early life, rise to power, their ideology, kind of politics, their hallmarks, leadership style, the economy during their tenure, human rights records, major policies, corruption/maladministration during their tenures, among other issues.

The weak point of the book is the fact that the pictures within are represented in black and white instead of colour. Also, the profiles of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Dr Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe appear to be very brief compared to the other leaders.

In all, the book is a must read and a product good for politicians, students, professionals, youths and elders who want positive change in Nigeria.