CHANGE - Towards a national life.

The path to a national life of any nation - as we know it in this 21st century - is a process which infuse a new rhythm, specific to a new generation of men and women, with a new language and a new humanity. For the majority of those who are attentive to the process that led to where we are as a nation, can surmise that after 50 years of attempting nationhood through decolonisation, from post-colonization, to dictatorship and eventually democracy; the situation of the Nigerian had slightly shifted from a state of being colonised to being endlessly neocolonised in various disguise, the expolitation has intensified but now justified by capitalizing on two or three slogans. These nouveau riche who disguise as leaders, demands a colossal effort from us in the name of national interest, without plans to improve our conditions. Major sums, however, were invested for the sake of wide roads, prestige cars, villas and all those loud goods required to build a new elite class living hundred times superior to the minimum wage.

50 years after our so called independence, these elite class at the corridors of power, who cruches the masses to a non-essential state, still utilizes the agressiveness of its class to grab our support for a change, in which even they don't believe. What is really misleading is that, this elite class is aware that the human and social sciences have accustomed us to see the figurine of a righteous man behind every social and moral event, just like Christianity taught us to see the eye of the lord looking down upon us. This lot can easily infiltrate and create a look alike of what they are not, they can readily use the secret knowledge of the books, of the arts, of the media and clever ideas to manipulate and claim to be on the side of truth and change. For them, the masses remains a bunch of "dehumanised things" that needed to be kept in order and be organised. We the "things" ruled upon become human only through the process of liberation. That is the natural process of new men, new nation and new life.

Times of election is generally bracketed by hopes, aspirations and violence. Change in political and national life - whatever the preferred expression for political correctness is - is always a violent event, because it is simply an absolute substitution of one "species" of mankind by another, that will go as far as establishing an entirely new nation, with a redefined diplomatic relations and economic and political orientation. The need for this change must exist in a raw, repressed and reckless state in the consciousness of the people. But the eventuality of such a change is a terrifying future in the consciousness of other "species" of men and women who sees nothing wrong in the status quo. When a group of minor men and women, however, set out to attempt a change of a certain order of things, which cannot be accomplished by the wave of a magic wind or a gentleman's agreement - Hence, the rise of the OPPOSITION - They are seen as radicals or tagged "angry people". This wind of change in our national life can only be significant when it is clamored for, desired and demanded by the majority, when the opposition is a majority and the majority opposes the status quo.

I am certain that each generation has its peculiar mission, to be realized under its own circumstances, fulfil it or betray it in relative blurriness. The values which we live by are the values that led us "here" in the first place, the moral negligence and ideological barrenness which led us to this point are still seen as continuing in the identity of this nation, and since this national identity has not changed, has undergo no revolutionary purge either in its guts or at the head. therefore, for a new national life to be attained, our efforts must be made of fragments, and not as a whole body, which signifies that, what we might possibly think to be the end, might in fact the beginning, we cannot begin to build a Utopia, until we have been able to control the damage by first discovering its source, this discovery must sink us down to the roots, to demolish and rehabilitate the foundations of thoughts and actions responsible for such damage, then begin to re-create. Our collective break/down will eventually result to our collective break/through, only in this way does every individual share in the holy mess and understands the real purpose and value of such a change towards a genuine national life.

(c) Qudus Onikeku.

www.qudus.blogspot.com

October 13, 2010.

VOTE FOR BUHARI/BAKARE

Nigeria: Fast food nation

MENU LIST - Big McAbacha with Cheese, IBB Free Milkshakes,
Obj Chicken Nuggets, Pomo on the run and
Mugu Muffins. McNigeria - HAVE A TASTE OF HELL !

"Fast food" is generally referred to as food that is prepared in quantity by a standardized method and can be dispensed quickly at inexpensive restaurants for eating there or take away, which is widely considered as a trait peculiar to the United States of America, but that can largely be contested, because Nigeria has been seriously involved in fast food even before the advent of Mr Biggs who initiated the American style of fast fooding to Nigeria. In fact our traditional "mama put" and "nkwobi" joints with their "Enter food is ready" signs, is nothing but faster foods. You wonder how possible, when you see their menu list of rice, eba, pounded yam, beans, spaghetti, fufu, amala, yam porridge and in truth they are all ready.

objCHICKEN - The Spirit of Chop-I-Chop

What other approach will be most suitable for a people who are very impatient in nature, who cares less about quality when they can get its look alike cheap and fast. No wonder the Chinese are very successful in Nigeria. Due to the fundamental ills clouding Nigeria as a state, the Nigerian suffers from anomia; a loss of memory, characterized by a breakdown and absence of social norms and values. An uprooted people that lacks self realization but mistakes it for a Nigerian spirit. What spirit? that of false image? A spirit that gives preference to mediocrity over originality? spirit of nepotism and the cult of tribalism? A spirit that leads to a self fascist way of living; always wanting. Always hoping. Always dreaming. Yes the Nigerian dream is eventually an unrealistic dream that requires an awakening. WAKE UP!


It is very fashionable to hear from time to time a certain Nigerian Dream, and i ask if that is not another imported "fast food" I mean a look alike of the American dream. An ambition with commitment and tenacity expressed in words is known as VISION, a vision with a target becomes a MISSION. The more a brand is able to stick to it's VISION and MISSION turns out to be it's PRINCIPLES and it's ESSENCE. Until now i still ask, what is our intrinsic nature or indispensable quality as a people? Out of share addiction to this same false image, celebrity culture and vanity fair, a danger remains for all who sometimes wonder, as I often do, if the Nigeria they know is not simply one of their imagining. Open your eyes fellow country men, rather than being the megaphones of these human feces at high places, rather than being carried away with all these numerous attention takers who call themselves celebrities, rather than taking to a self fascist way of living. Always seek only the combative voices and hunt them down even on casual forums like facebook.

What can be more terrifying than knowing that our future has Been held hostage by a conglomerate of terrorists disguised as leaders . What could be more terrifying than seeing our nation sink by an inch daily into a full fledged irresponsible monster. What can be more terrifying than knowing that millions of Nigerian youth wake up every morning, to watch TV, engage in idle talks of soccer, celebrities and luxury. BLIND RESILIENCE! Personally it terrifies me that frank and intense ways of "saying" is beginning to be prohibited to most Nigerians. Not because they don't love Nigeria. In fact that's where the problem lies. LOVE IS BLIND!

LOVE is NOT about gazing at each other, Its about facing same direction

Before my fellow Nigerians hang me for treason, i haven't done anything unworthy of philosophy. I do not seek; I find. Let actions alone be the manifestation of the authentic being in defense of it's authentic vision. Please understand the psycho-effect of that parlance. "Love is blind", then you will understand what I feel for Nigeria above "love." So by any means necessary!

Get out of the BOX -Think Afresh
Do I or do I not recognize the trap of my activities on facebook and this blog? I plead you all to summon kindred knowledge and kindred findings to your aid. Kindred rebellions against the lure of tragi-existentialism; for rage is no longer enough to combat the temptation to subside into unproductive, will-sapping social talks and intellectual masturbation, in which we all often get involved on facebook or Sahara reporters and other blog spots. I think every act of reflection is already an act of separation, there is no reconciliation or renewal without a former misunderstanding, so before we disagree to agree let's take away everything and let's talk on common grounds. 2011 is here calling on us all to save history and the future from eternal RUIN, but Babangida, that ruinous, disastrous, catastrophic, calamitous and cataclysmic dictator, that is worthy of a death by hanging in broad-day-light is presently topping opinion polls, and you and i sit our asses down, waiting to be dead. WAITING TO BE DEAD?

WAITING TO BE DEAD !

© Qudus ONIKEKU

www.qudus.blogspot.com

Who will claim these freedom flies?

Who will claim these freedom flies?
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
Published on Sahara Reporters on 3 October 2009.

When it suddenly stroke me that 2011 election is in just less than two years, i became really concerned about what this tomorrow holds in stock for us, another power play or an opportunity to turn to the next page? I began to engage different people on my present soliloquy, in a chat with my respected brother Omoyele Sowore, i realised how urgently some even badly needed emancipation. In his words, he proclaimed "we should stop putting dates to our desire for freedom, because 2011 is their date for the next selection, not ours, our date should be counted in nano-seconds not months or years". However, I think we've been in this bondage for too long that 2011 is just like tomorrow, what I got from him was that a carelessly planned battle will be lost carelessly. 2011 must not meet us in darkness.

Everyday I’m forced to see how ready Nigerians are for a change, there is a renewed sense of interest, but most times, we have stepped up to the plate, only to be left in the cold, dejected, lonely and depressed by an unwilling majority. Now I think the minority is adding weight, but needs good leadership to crystallize our collective civil disobedience, we need a hero - the concept of a hero in this sense is more than that of a messiah - We simply need a face and a clenched fist to light the lamp. The sole reason why the Nigerian revolution has been delayed is the sole fact that we lack leaders to believe in, how many Nigerians will do the least jest of a peaceful rally for a leader they didn't choose. If by now we the people still don't have a tested and trusted candidate to take us to the promise land, Yar'adua and his gangs will continue to take us in hostage.

Nigerians are not asking for too much, we just need an enlightened leader who can inspire confidence in Nigerians, whom Nigerians will be proud of, and who genuinely wants to transform the country, the message of hope is inevitable for anyone who will lead this nation, the people has been over traumatised by our yesterdays, we need a leader who will inspire confidence in Nigerians once again and back it up with real visions and dreams, one who will make Nigerians believe that we can do it, that liberation is attainable, a candidate who would be prepared to give his life to make a difference if necessary, and any such candidate who shows the flicker should immediately attract a multitude of "freedom flies"

Democracy: The popular government

As a performer, I know that the best performances I’ve had come from a supportive audience. A people invested in their polity, brings out the best in the lead character. Nigeria's audacity of change is not any different from that of any country in the world, a change that calls on us all to act, to contribute in whatever little way we can. Change comes individual by individual, house by house, street by street, and community by community. It’s time for every Nigerian to figure out a way of becoming the pace setter.

Democracy as a word is derived from the Greek δημοκρατία (dēmokratía), which mean "popular government". There are two basic principles that any definition of democracy includes.

1.) All citizens, have equal access to power and
2.) All citizens enjoy legitimized freedoms and liberties.

Democracy is the type of government in place by the collective decision of the people, so the people shall never be treated as mere helpless spectators; the people have a great stake in its progress and survival, to refuse the gangster political culture of our fathers, this is the time we must all stand to refuse bad habits.

If Democracy is said to be a form of government in which the right to govern is vested in the citizens, how can that be possible with the rotational armed robbers in charge of our destiny, when the political parties decides who will best protect their own interest; we must begin to gather strength now, we need to grow, sticking to those bad habits will make no headway, now it’s the time we the people must collectively appoint a trusted leader.

Democratic process for the NEW MEDIA era

The new media, and particularly the Internet, provides us with the potential for a democratic postmodern public sphere, in which Nigerians can participate in a well informed, non-hierarchical debate pertaining to our social structures. The new media has created a potentially radical shift of who is in control of information, experience and resources, it has provided the possibility of increasing the speed of communication, interactive communication and allow forms of communication that were previously separate to overlap and interconnect.

The new media has given us a globalisation that shortens the distance between Nigerians all over the world, this great development has given birth to the "death of distance", radically breaking the connection between physical place and social place, making physical location much less significant for our social relationships, and giving us the ability to establish virtual communities: Self-defined globalised societies and networks, which still resemble what we do in real life. Just as we exchange pleasantries and argue, engage in intellectual discourse, conduct commerce, make plans, brainstorm, gossip, feud, fall in love, create a little high art and a lot of idle talk.

Television and newspapers are no longer the only means for building mainstream attitudes. What we must create in favour of a socio-political movement ahead of the 2011 election, will be a new media movement that has the ability to connect like-minded Nigerians at home and abroad, taking advantage of the internet to produce a grassroots globalization, centered on Nigerians around the world.

We must create a new media, used and transformed by its users, which then feeds into the process of guiding our emancipation, one that corresponds to the logic of consciousness and a mass society, which values conformity over individuality, and a tool in the democratisation of information. User generated websites such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, online forums and blogs will play a big role in the recruitment and creation of a virtual community, as well as the webcasting of ideologies and debates that precedes the 2011 election.

Democratic process through popular culture

If Democracy means "popular government", then our popular culture can lead to our emancipation?

If we are eventually denied of a leader we deserve, if we cannot attain Babylon in this new media era, where Nigerians got thousands of virtual groups, all with a minimum of a thousand members, if by 2011 Yar'adua gets re-(s)elected and there is no revolution, if we are unable to make a meaningful use of all these tools we got in our hands, I’m then persuaded that there will never and ever be a revolution. I see people create new virtual groups every day to bring back the hope; Nigerians for Democracy, The new Nigerian revolution, Up-Rising, Light up Nigeria, Alliance for CHANGE, The Future, The Nigerian dream, Fix Nigeria. Et al. Creating more groups is not the issue, what we must do is to begin to deeply engage these numerous Nigerian populated groups.

We need to de-individualise all these numerous social groups into a decentralised body that doesn't exist in real time, the consciousness we must create, shall be in form of a slogan that must be collectively imbibed, as a branch of the cause of all the numerous groups, it shall provide them all with autonomy and sense of ownership. If these numerous awards will be useful for a more noble cause, let’s all begin the search for a leader for 2011, lets vote for a consciousness, let’s give a deadline as they usually do it, publicise it and make massive noise about it, let a committee of another trusted Nigerians that are well balanced in their heads, meet online, for reflexive processes until the selection of distinct candidates that are worthy of our vote is reached. This outcome should be edited into a memo that followed our collective decision.

This memorandum can then be disseminated through our daily journals, TV station without forgetting or course our online journals, blogs and social networks as well as the use of hackers. This new media campaign must be huge and collective; we all must support it, artists, activists, bankers, traders, producers, journalists, radio and TV presenters, designers, civil servants and all tired and frustrated Nigerians. We don't want any union leader or a celebrity human right activist to come feed us with more lies. We are not all obliged to be formally organized in support of the campaign, we can be loosely affiliated, but frequently utilize campaign advertising, eventually making it difficult for any political scientist to predict the election without favoring the collective decision and effort of the people. We must take our destinies into our own hands; put on our fisheyes, parrot beaks, and let's get our ball point sword close, 2011 must not provide us with another Nollywood actor, costumed as a leader.ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

(c) Qudus Onikeku