Voice Out Loud

Today , Nigeria has witnessed about sixteen years of uninterrupted democracy in her fourth Republic. However, the troubling question that comes to mind is; what has Nigeria achieved in the last sixteen years of her democracy? In fact, what kind of democracy is her modus operandi? Can Nigeria be said to be practicing Western Parliamentary democracy? Or what kind of democracy is Nigeria practicing? The political modus operandi in Nigeria here is what we shall call "Nigerian Democracy". It is a kind of democracy that is  entangled with the cultural values of Nigeria. It is situated within the confines of her culture. In Western Parliamentary democracy, the opposition party is often seen as a checkmate to the ruling party. It seeks to give only constructive criticisms to the ruling party. It duty is also to ensure that the ruling party come to their senses, in times of political turmoils. Well that is a true Democracy. Let us come down to Nigerian democracy. In Nigeria here,

"The controversy over what constitute an African philosophy, tends to dominate so much that it forms almost the entire content of the discourse"(Godwin Sogolo). African philosophy, indeed is rooted in African culture and religion, just as how Greek philosophy is rooted  in the theological postulations of Homer and Hesiod. Also,  contemporary African philosophy as an academic enterprise, has grown out of this traditional foundation, just like Greek philosophy. But there is still a leap of backwardness in the enterprise of African philosophy. Historically speaking, African philosophy arose as a mild reaction to the incessant eurocentric claims of the Europeans. They simply regarded Africans as savages, hybrids(people who had lost the virtues of their culture, and are incapable of comprehending European culture), primitives, incapable of doing philosophy, and so on. Ever since then, what African philosophers have tried to do over the years, is debunk the claims of these euroc

Today, Africa has more countries with economic backwardness than any other continent in the world. Africa has been relegated to the fourth world. Even Nigeria, the economic hub and giant of Africa, is currently facing an economic recession for the second time in her history. Given this plight, the obvious question that comes to mind is; how can Africa expunge herself from the bottomless pit of the fourth world? Answers to this question, forms the main thrust of this article. At this juncture however, it is expedient to give a concise and detailed analysis of how Africa's economy came to be in shambles. Africa indeed, has the longest and oldest economic history in the world. Historically speaking, agricultural practices in Africa first reared it head in the sahara desert in 5200 BC. Despite the limited rain of the region, farming was quite easy due to it wide open fields. Africans at that time were all farmers and hunters. In fact long distance trade between states, existed in

Nigeria, the Giant of Africa, can boast of her salient Political Nationalists. They are sometimes called "Freedomites". Most of our children in Schools are constantly reminded of their heroic deeds. But their evil deeds are often neglected. In fact, this article will argue that they all had an Ethnicity Syndrome, through the Tripartition policy of the British. Unfortunately, Nigeria now suffers the consequences and effects of this ethnicity syndrome on her political Nationalists. However, to further buttress and pitch clarity to the point we are driving at, it is paramount to give a concise analysis of the very concept of Ethnicity Syndrome. Ethnicity Syndrome, metaphorically refers to a  disease diagnosed to those whose actions and judgements are influenced by the feeling of belonging to a particular group. These kind of people often take their group or tribe as an authority, and also claim that their group is the best amongst others. Their actions and judgements are o

"There can only be one type of democracy and that is the democracy that recognizes certain pristine notions..."(Muyiwa Falaiye).  Democracy, no doubt,  remains the best form of government in Africa. As a result of the dictatorial leadership of our colonial masters, it is only logical to give power back to the people, after independence. Universally and roughly speaking, democracy refers to a form of government by the people, for people. It is a form of government that gives power to the people, and this is what Africa needs. Unfortunately, democracy has been altered and excessively polluted here in Africa. Africa pretends to practice western democracy, whereas the political modus operandi, is "African Democracy".  In other words, while other Continents practice western democracy, Africa settled for "African Democracy". This gives us a dichotomy between "democracy in Africa" and "African democracy". The former is western democra

Indeed, when you hear the word Racism, the first thing that comes to your mind is the superiority and dominance of the White race over the Black race. But the simple truth is that, Black people also do Racism. They also have a sense of superiority and dominance over other races,especially the Whites. A continent where the practice of black superiority exist, is Africa, the ancestral home of all black people, whether directly or indirectly. Hence, this article shall logically examine Racism, from the perspective of black superiority. According to the English Dictionary, "Racism is a belief that one race is superior to the other". As earlier stated, Racism is usually associated with the superiority and dominance of the White race over the Black race. As a result of this, most black people all over the world, make incessant efforts and agitations against the superiority and dominance of the White race. Examples of these black agitators includes; Late Martin Luther King(Jr), J

Religion and the law today, has been interpreted differently by different people. Most people conceive the law as being entirely different from Religion. In fact, most people even conceive the law as less merciful, and Religion has more merciful. However, having being  librated from the claws of this unending Religious abstraction, it is my intention to point out logical similarities between Religion and the law, in a bid to liberate rational thinkers out there. Sincerely i do not have a problem with religion. I see religion as a Twin Brother of the Law. For me, the main thrust of religion and the law, is to inculcate morality in the society. However, you can not state laws intending to inculcate morality, and think people will obey. No, it doesn't work that way. Every law, according to Karl Olivercrona, should be backed by active sanctions and punitive measures. Here, both religion and the law, are geared towards similar paths. The law adopted several punitive measures and a La

It is quite disturbing and embarrassing to the indigenous African that our traditional religious values are on a downward slope. In his book; "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa", Walter Rodney argues that the ravaging underdevelopment in Africa, can be traced to the cultural and political imperialism by the colonial masters. However, we are not concerned with political imperialism here. Rather, we are mainly concerned with the religious imperialism on Africa, by foreign Missionaries. Before the advent of these Missionaries, Africa had it own traditional religions and belief systems. In Northern Nigeria for example, the dominant traditional religion was The Bòòríí. The bòòríí priestesses called Inna, communed with the spirit through ecstatic dance rituals. This act of ritual protected the society and also provided healing and divination for the people. In the south eastern part of Nigeria, the dominant traditional religion is called The Òdìnànì, having Chúkwú as the high G

"Those who can not remember the past, are condemned to repeat it"(George Santayana, an American Philosopher). Our fathers who orchestrated the first Coup d'etat, made a huge mistake by destroying the Tafawa Balewa government. Their reason for this, is the corrupt practices and embezzlement of public funds in the government. Their Aim: To clean up the government. Unfortunately, Nigerians came to realize that the military Heads of state where just as bad and corrupt as the Politicians. At this point, particularly just before the 4th Republic, it became crystal clear that the only way to move Nigeria forward, was to elect and vote for a worthy candidate. A candidate who is just, intelligent, vainglorious, corrupt-free, and different from the previous Heads of state. At least that's what i thought Nigerians had in mind. But i was wrong. Instead, we voted for another retired Head of state, to usher in the 4th Republic. It became even worse when we voted for this same ma

In spite of the incessant efforts of Political Philosophers on how best justice should be administered, societal proceedings in Nigeria are clearly being done unjustly. The rich often prey on the poor. Nigeria has become a country where the rich get richer and the poor gets poorer. A country where underpaid professions are being discriminated. Based on a firm research, a Police Recruit earns a consolidated annual salary of N108,000. This brings his monthly salary to about N9,000-N10,000. A police on grade level 02(1) earns a monthly salary of about N42,000, while a police on grade level 02(10) earns about N46,000-N47,000 monthly. Also, a Street Cleaner earns a monthly salary of about N18,000-N25,000. A Nigerian teacher also earn about N60,000 for level 8. Furthermore, a federal University lecturer at a Graduate Assistant level, earns about N105,000-N120,000 per month(CONUASS), while at an Assistant Lecturer level, he earns about N120,000-N146,000 per month(CONUASS), excluding ta

Today, Nigeria doesn't seem to be moving forward. Why is this? Is it because of our corrupt leaders? Is it because Nigerian youths are mostly idle when it comes to political matters? Should we blame the British for creating Nigeria by amalgamating three major tribes into one territory? Yes,  the British should be blamed for the woes of our so-called Nigeria. Even though our leaders have a share in this blame, the British should take most of the blame. Perhaps a concise look at the early history of Nigeria, will give us a clue as to why the British should be blamed for the woes of Nigeria. Historically speaking, the three main tribes; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, were amalgamated in 1914 to form a single territory. Later on, this single territory became known as Nigeria, translated to roughly mean "people living around the Niger area". Why were these giant tribes amalgamated? The answer is simple. These tribes were amalgamated to simply fulfil a business deal. Let me expa

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the lord of hosts, if i will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."(Malachi 3:10). Indeed, this verse of the Bible has become a National Anthem for most Extortionists or the so-called Pastors, who deliberately preach the compulsory payment of tithe, just to fill their pockets. Much worse, these Extortionists also quote (Malachi 3:8-9), in order to lure members to always pay their tithes. "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole Nation."(Malachi 3:8-9). From this, it would seem as if tithing is a burden. Actually, it is not. In the biblical era, it was an exercise that everyone longed for. Perhaps a look at how tithes were being paid in the b