Yesterday (Saturday 1st October 2016) Nigeria clocked 56 years as an independent nation. Celebrations were however understandably muted\/low key. Tough times have been hitting hard. <\/p>\n
Avoidable tough times or self-inflicted hardships due to mismanagement that is!<\/p>\n
The above is why I believe the write-up linked\/previewed below offers Nigerian intellectuals in particular, serious food for thought to address her many problems.<\/p>\n
I first read this compelling piece in 2014, and most of its contents greatly resonated with me. It was reportedly written by a US-based Zambian media practitioner and author named Field Ruwe, who (at the time) was a PhD candidate with a B.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism, and an M.A. in History.<\/p>\n
\n=Starts=<\/p>\n
They call the Third World the lazy man\u2019s purview; the sluggishly slothful and languorous prefecture. In this realm people are sleepy, dreamy, torpid, lethargic, and therefore indigent\u2014totally penniless, needy, destitute, poverty-stricken, disfavored, and impoverished. <\/p>\n
In this demesne, as they call it, there are hardly any discoveries, inventions, and innovations. Africa is the trailblazer. Some still call it \u201cthe dark continent\u201d for the light that flickers under the tunnel is not that of hope, but an approaching train. <\/p>\n
And because countless keep waiting in the way of the train, millions die and many more remain decapitated by the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s amazing how you all sit there and watch yourselves die,\u201d the man next to me said. \u201cGet up and do something about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brawny, fully bald-headed, with intense, steely eyes, he was as cold as they come. When I first discovered I was going to spend my New Year\u2019s Eve next to him on a non-stop JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to Boston I was angst-ridden. I associate marble-shaven Caucasians with iconoclastic skin-heads, most of who are racist.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy name is Walter,\u201d he extended his hand as soon as I settled in my seat.
\nI told him mine with a precautious smile.
\n\u201cWhere are you from?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n