Nigerians: The Happiest People And The Most Stupid. - Page 2

The Yorubas of South-West are the most pathetic. They are quick to boast of their education and sophistication. Meanwhile, Adedibu and Obasanjo were the best they could come up with as national leaders. The former was the head of street urchins while the latter has a reputation for sleeping with...

Click here to read the entire article

Silent 1 · Jun 29, 2009 , 10:17 PM

"Democracy is a device that insures we shall be governed no better than we deserve"--George Bernard Shaw

Of course, to this we may add: Every society deserves her leaders. But, how and why have we arrived at such docile extremes? Can it be exclusively pinned on our diversity -- the seeming fact that Nigerians can hardly agree (across ethnic lines) on any issue? Or have we always been docile, if not this docile?

When you eliminate the national diversity by crossing into local communities where there is homogeneity, do you find a more active people? We can greatly expand, infact, dangerously expand this line of questioning: is this a Black Africa problem? I guess, the apatheid, anti-colonial and on-going struggles somewhat dull this last question.

I suspect, that, the balkernization, but more importantly, the complex, dysfunctional socio-political structure that emerged from colonialism, which has led to a most comically inept ruling elite across Africa, especially Nigeria -- has engendered in us, base and crass individualism. This individualism has sipped into, even the smallest units of society. In otherwords the mindless,massive afront on our pockets, rights, livelihood, e.t.c. has reduced our ability / capacity to think,much less care for anyone but ourselves

"Go and suprise the whole country by doing something right" -- Mark Twain
It is in our self-interests to do so. Enlightened self interests equals collective good.

quietswami · Jun 29, 2009 , 11:11 PM

Wish I had your erudite eloquence Silent 1 - love the quotes! Individualism could very well be the root cause! Their are countless evidence of the Nigerian brilliance in isolation which seems to be dulled when in a collective. The code we've been unable to crack is the translation of our individual brilliance into a collective one for the common good.

Not everyone in a society need a PhD but everyone need to have an awareness of identifying and working towards the collective good - the very least - not work against it! Naive, simple, and basic but at the core of any progressive functional society! Collaborative collective! A subtle, inculcating concept ingrained in those seemingly innocuous, mundane, youth activities celebrated with village rugby, cricket, baseball, American Football, basketball. Games?! Yes, but what better way to develop and nurture the core values of a society. An Englishman may look silly on a nice summers day chasing a ball in his whites on the commons green, or chasing after a ball on a soaking wet, and muddy pitch getting battered, bloodied, and completely covered in mud but guess who's got the last laugh!

olubadan · Jun 29, 2009 , 11:46 PM

Brilliant Piece... I wouldn't say it is wrong to hope but hope shouldn't be blind optimism.. Taking into consideration the chaotic situation everywhere one will not be rushing into conclusion to say Nigeria is on the fringes of a failed state.... Waiting to fall apart...

FSU · Jun 29, 2009 , 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by Eace

A Yoruba man who thinks his tribe's reasoning is wrong...?
Men who confess they are stupid...?
Citizens who wish to change their country by first insulting everyone in it?

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

The usual self denial at work? I am of the opinion that Yorubas should apologise to Ndigbo for their then lack of foresight and thus, gaffe in the position they took during the Biafra war. The two should thereafter work together to device a socio-eco-political strategy to send the gworo-eaters to where they belong: sahara desert

naijaninja · Jun 30, 2009 , 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by Abatakan

@naijaninja

Every other comments,differ from your opinion,then l check your previous comments and true to form there is a pattern,the author raises some important issue but addressing those issue? NO,if you took the time to read the article,he was highlighting the lackadaisical attitude of Nigerians and the author`s venom on us(Yorubas)is accurate.So all the issues na bad belly?Did OBJ not paid homage to Adedibu(Yes majority of Yorubas did not and will not accept them as leaders,unless l missed it where are the prominent ones that challenged them?
Take the issue of Dangote and the comparison with Bill Gates,is that not a valid point,or to the myopic view of the Yorubas when it comes to the Igbos/civil war,of course can`t change your mind and do not intend to.
As for the author`s crowd,count me as one of the crowd,yes stupid and damn years of therapy will never achieve what the Dr.has psychoanalyse my issues with my motherland/fatherland.

@abatakan
Of course there is a pattern to my insisting on raising the bar of discussing issues concerning our country beyond the present lazy and rather pedestrian and insultive mode. we`ve heard enough of the moans and i am not the least impressed with anybody singing the same old song without proffessing any wellthought out and realistic solutions.criticism is a piece of cake for anybody and as Adams oshiomole is presently finding out,it is much easier rabblerousing than sitting on the hot seat,has anyone heard from papertigers of yore like Segun adeniyi and Diran odeyemi after they were conscripted into government?I insist that nigerians are not stupid because i am deep enough to realize the spiritual unction in professing negativity to yourself, try calling your child a stupid no-gooder everyday and see if he will eventually amount to anything,I am a living witness to the sap riots and the june 12 riots in lagos when countless protesters were murdered in cold blood ,same thing for the present niger delta massacre. so it is denigrating for anybody to sit in one corner of the world and accuse nigerians of docility.the most annoying thing is that these people are oftentimes those that have added absolutely no value to the commonwealth!!
I insist that we need to be objective,analytical and proactive in our discussions. enough of all these beer parlour tendencies...

kekerete · Jun 30, 2009 , 11:35 AM

I couldn't agree with you more. Until we excise the superstition called religion, I dare say we shan't make much progress. Those who've cast it aside have and are making giant strides.

Originally Posted by Eace

A Yoruba man who thinks his tribe's reasoning is wrong...?
Men who confess they are stupid...?
Citizens who wish to change their country by first insulting everyone in it?

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

I do believe one who does not ask himself questions and answer it truthfully is bound to be where we are today and where we are obviously heading to. If it takes insulting all of us for us to wake up from our stupidity-induced slumber, so be it. Please we need more of this 'insult'. Maybe because I am 'stupid' too.

elgaxton · Jun 30, 2009 , 11:58 AM

I am not STUPID! Think what you should do to improve your country and not crucify

everyone in the country.

I'm tired of turenchi students abusing Naija Up and Down just becos dem cross border.

How many good innovations abroad have u brought to Nigeria?

What have you done to help the medical doctors in naija as per ur field?

Abegi!

If Obama had complained like you he willl still be.....

Abatakan · Jun 30, 2009 , 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by naijaninja

@abatakan
Of course there is a pattern to my insisting on raising the bar of discussing issues concerning our country beyond the present lazy and rather pedestrian and insultive mode. we`ve heard enough of the moans and i am not the least impressed with anybody singing the same old song without proffessing any wellthought out and realistic solutions.criticism is a piece of cake for anybody and as Adams oshiomole is presently finding out,it is much easier rabblerousing than sitting on the hot seat,has anyone heard from papertigers of yore like Segun adeniyi and Diran odeyemi after they were conscripted into government?I insist that nigerians are not stupid because i am deep enough to realize the spiritual unction in professing negativity to yourself, try calling your child a stupid no-gooder everyday and see if he will eventually amount to anything,I am a living witness to the sap riots and the june 12 riots in lagos when countless protesters were murdered in cold blood ,same thing for the present niger delta massacre. so it is denigrating for anybody to sit in one corner of the world and accuse nigerians of docility.the most annoying thing is that these people are oftentimes those that have added absolutely no value to the commonwealth!!
I insist that we need to be objective,analytical and proactive in our discussions. enough of all these beer parlour tendencies...

@naijaninja
Thanks for replying, and yes all we do is moan on NVS,BUT there are good suggestions about how to move the country forward,but guess what?No one is interested?Okay l want to do my bit to start the revolution,all my suggestions/proposal to the village?No avail,So pls.tell me,l know everything in life cost money what project/town is on your mind?Remember l`m not Dangote BUT will do my BIT,so UP to you now(cos l`m tired of loudmouth villagers as well)

Ebere · Jun 30, 2009 , 12:41 PM

I think you have mistaken the state of chronic fear for stupidity.
Stupidity is rushing in to take action without weighing your options.
To the best of my knowledge, the reason why most people despite their anger at the situation and their desire to make things better fail to make any real difference is that they are are afraid of the consequences of their actions.
If you have a family and a bevy of relations to feed and bring up; the bills have to be paid, the 22 year old family car maintained so it doesn't breakdown, school fees and University fees have to be paid and you know that without your salary and continued ability to work your family is not going to make it, why on earth would you be stupid enough [ even if some would call it bravery] to accost govt officials with their paid thugs and hit men who have no respect for the human life.

As for happiness;when you have everything against you, choosing to be happy is probably the best attitude with which you can make the most of life.

Please revise what you have put down as the title of this article.
As far as I can see, some of the smartest, and resilient people I have ever known are fellow Naija's.

Abatakan · Jun 30, 2009 , 01:32 PM

@ ebere

You said it all,chronic fear,chronic fear?(is the same as stupidity that we can all afford to fold our arms and let idiots run our country) and WE ARE TOO SCARE!!!
And to qoute`As for happiness;when you have everything against you, choosing to be happy is probably the best attitude with which you can make the most of life.z
That is why is Naija is like this and will be,if you/we cannot take on board the inner message of the article.

Ph3y · Jun 30, 2009 , 02:28 PM

Okay so we have heard your moans?? Please let your recommendations for removing us from our state of stupidity follow.........

Baba Peace · Jun 30, 2009 , 03:38 PM

This is a good write-up. Let’s look at some areas that need correction so that we have a well balanced information.
1. About forgiveness of the rouges by God. If they genuinely repented, God will forgive them. After the forgiveness, their behaviours will confirm that they have met God. One of their behaviours will involve what happened to Zaccheus in Luke 19:8. He returned the loot. Repentance is NOT a clearance to keep loot, but an avenue to do the right things.
Pastor Adeboye in my own opinion (I am not a member of RCCG – so I am not defending him) is only giving the rogues an avenue to meet with God. Take it or leave it, there is no gathering – either religious or otherwise that these people will attend in Nigeria and they will not be recognised as former this or former that. It is their duty to respond to the word they heard from the man of God. You can force the horse to the river ........
2. You started the letter brilliantly by identifying that very few people had succeeded in harassing the vast majority of us to silence. It is now funny when you now decide to debase your own people to get cheap accolade from others. It is on record that the Yorubas rejected Obasanjo in 1999. The other part of the country voted for him. If they had listened to the Yorubas, maybe it would have been different. In 1999 also Adedibu with his “power” could NOT deliver Oyo state. When OBJ became the Lord Mayor and then turned Ibadan to a cantonment, Adedibu became very powerful. Ladoja that stood in his way was crushed by less than one-third instead of two-third needed to impeach governor in Nigeria. OBJ became lawless. (The blame of OBJ is from the others and not the Yorubas because the Yorubas know that he is a bastard)
3. It is strange that you just waved the Yorubas as nonentities just like that as if they do not have history of gallantry! Have you suddenly forgotten that in the sisties, when the Yorubas also felt cheated that they defended themselves and fought the powers that be then? Have you suddenly forgotten the Agbekoyas and the Wild Wild West? Have you forgotten that in the 1983 elections only the states in the Western state fought the thieves that stole their mandate? I was surprised when you felt that June 12 fight could just be pushed over board suddenly. If others had joined the Yorubas in fighting for June 12, I am sure the occupiers today will be different. All other areas then saw June 12 as a Yoruba affair and deserted. Remember the role of the following active participants - Baba Gana Kingibe, Prof Nwosu (he released election result after 16 years), Anenih the Chairman of SDP and Tom Ikimi of NRC! Equally remember the role of Arthur “the bastard” Nzeribe of the ABN fame.
When Abacha came into the frame, remember the role of Bola Ige in “siddon and look” attitude and the devastating effect then and how he successfully described the political parties as the finger of leprous hand. Can you still remember NADECO (constituted by more that 60% Yorubas)
Dr, you probably forget a lot of things so soon.
4. The Ijaws (time will tell if your assertion about their gallantry is correct), the sound of amnesty had greatly divided them leading most of us to believe that the militants are doing what they are doing not to fight for any ideology but to look for ways of making sure that their god-father became the governors, and also for them to make so much money for themselves so that they can be liberated from the poverty in the land. As for the Igbos, (though you praised them while you debase your own tribe), can’t you see that they had been cowed by the same power that be as of now. Don’t be deceived by what you read on the internet. They have their fighting spirit quite al right but have largely been cowed because of the same reason you identified earlier in your write-up. They are also part of the happy Nigerians.
Finally, I will conclude that the problem with Nigerians affect all Nigerians. The northerners had all along cowed their people. It extended southwards when poverty became biting very hard and also when IBB came with settlement regime. Looking for a solution should not start by blaming any region but looking at how we the common people can wrangle our ways out of our present predicament.

Dr Igho-Osagie Ebuwa · Jun 30, 2009 , 07:55 PM

The reality that we face in this country does not have its source in the religious leaders' dishonesty, love for money or power, or illiteracy, but in the fact that we as a nation have failed to create a national identity or a cultural ideolgy as a nation.We are simply not a people. Any group that cannot tell you what they stand for, cannot have its own good at heart, even in its best efforts. it lies open to destruction from both internal and external sources. this is the case in our nation. I tell you, if the leaders of this nation (not only the political ones, for they are not our only leaders, but the academics, the educational psychologists(teachers), religious and traditional rulers) can only come together, and define what the purpose of our being as a nation is, and this idealogy is fed to the nation's children, taught in schools, enforced on the streets, it would take more than the forces of hell, if there was any, to take advantage of the Nigerian people. Lets go back to the drawing board and define who we are just like the Japanese and Germans did after the second world war, and Nigeria can be great. Every man/nation is given almost equal opportunities to be great

FSU · Jul 1, 2009 , 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by Baba Peace

If others had joined the Yorubas in fighting for June 12, I am sure the occupiers today will be different. All other areas then saw June 12 as a Yoruba affair and deserted. Remember the role of the following active participants - Baba Gana Kingibe, Prof Nwosu (he released election result after 16 years), Anenih the Chairman of SDP and Tom Ikimi of NRC! Equally remember the role of Arthur “the bastard” Nzeribe of the ABN fame..

Please tell us the role of Yorubas in truncating June 12. For e.g., tell us about Shonekan, Babatope, Diya and the one who betrayed Kudirat (Sofolahan or what). Did you forget Abimbola Davies (the second ''bastard'' to Nzeribe)?

lelananh · Aug 3, 2009 , 04:20 AM

Thanks so much for sharing the post.

gratuit pour mobile sonnerie portable mp3 - Sonnerie portable MP3 est en effet un pouvoir de l'innovation technologique. Êtes-vous familier avec cette sonnerie portable?gratuit pour mobile sonnerie portable mp3

purple · Aug 4, 2009 , 08:45 PM

Dr Osineye,

the sensational title appended to your piece does not make up for the apparent deficits therein. Derogatory language, sweeping generalizations and impotent vituperations are cheap and found in abundance in writings all over the world wide web. They neither add value or motivate. You may want to try another approach.

You had you Eureka moment and cleverly noted that " The Yorubas of South-West are the most pathetic. They are quick to boast of their education and sophistication. Meanwhile, Adedibu and Obasanjo were the best they could come up with as national leaders. The former was the head of street urchins while the latter has a reputation for sleeping with his children’s wives"

Thanks a million for bringing it to light that Papa Adedibu and OBJ were national leaders elected and supported by the pathetic Yoruba. With your deep insight and stellar knowlege base, surely you should be teaching college kids Nigerian history.

Dapxin · Aug 4, 2009 , 10:48 PM

Thanks a million for bringing it to light that Papa Adedibu and OBJ were national leaders elected and supported by the pathetic Yoruba.

If I told you, you are clearly a brainless lot, for the above, I would be perfectly justified.

You need a lot of history lesson to know that Obasanjo is not even considered a town-meeting leadership material in owu, talkless of Ogun central - yet Nigerian somehow made him president in 1999, against the majority consensus in Yoruba-stern Nigeria.

And you dare make such sweeping statements about baba Adedibu ? supported and all ?

You really do need your erudite doctor to open your brains and stuff a lot of history into it.

Bull ethnic nonsense! Go figure. such ridiculous talk!

Abatakan · Sep 10, 2009 , 01:00 PM

What the guy was saying, Yorubas stood on side while Adedibu ran riot in Oyo state, OBJ knew he will never be a Yoruba leader and saw his pathetic excuse from defending his daughter on BBC) l knew we are a joke.Adedibu house is 5mins walk to the previous governor years ago (Victor Omololu Olunloyo)

agensheku · Sep 11, 2009 , 10:45 AM

What can one say about a robot s comments except that he is his masters voice!robots have no minds of their own as they are programmed to obey orders for life.

anonimi · Sep 13, 2009 , 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Baba Peace

This is a good write-up. Let’s look at some areas that need correction so that we have a well balanced information.
1. About forgiveness of the rouges by God. If they genuinely repented, God will forgive them. After the forgiveness, their behaviours will confirm that they have met God. One of their behaviours will involve what happened to Zaccheus in Luke 19:8. He returned the loot. Repentance is NOT a clearance to keep loot, but an avenue to do the right things.
Pastor Adeboye in my own opinion (I am not a member of RCCG – so I am not defending him) is only giving the rogues an avenue to meet with God. Take it or leave it, there is no gathering – either religious or otherwise that these people will attend in Nigeria and they will not be recognised as former this or former that. It is their duty to respond to the word they heard from the man of God. You can force the horse to the river ........

* how long in Jesus' presence before Zaccheus made his pledge to return his loot to those he defrauded in multiples

* did Christ pronounce Zaccheus' salvation before OR after his restitution pledge

compare and contrast with whom our MoGs claim they represent here on earth.