interesting coincidences - though not perfect ones, in that only the months and the days agree. Also, the coincidence of the meaning of his name with his anti-typical and almost magically easy rise [in almost equally magical circumstances] from being deputy governor to governor, to vice president, to acting and finally to president in such a nepotistic and hierarchical country as Nigeria certainly is compelling. It is generally considered difficult to effectively explain chance, coincidence, and absurd irregularities that from time to time turn out to impact major changes in history. However, each aspect of Jonathan Goodluck's rise, as contingent as they seem or may actually be, can fit into an explainable historical pattern or framework - at least of the geopolitical history of Nigeria- without which the coincidence and contingency that describe his emergence could not have occurred.
However, a problem of looking at great occurrences via the lenses of contingency and coincidence and wondering whether similar coincidental happenings will occur [magically, to transform Nigeria], is that it could become a robber of purposeful analysis and painstaking plan. It could legitimize fatality and encourage impunity, recklessness or the like, especially, if for example, President Goodluck comes to consider himself as untouchable, predestined, or if on the other hand he abdicates some or most of the difficult and complex responsibilities of doing leadership and management and rather resign himself to the unchallengeable fate that has brought him thus far to keep him there and do things for him.On the other hand, contingencies and the myth that can be associated with such coincidences could be channeled by insightful leadership into hope and purpose for great achievements. At a general level, though, these kind of coincidences and chance occurrences serve to humble the modern man's triumphalist rationalist thinking; many times contradicting reason.
whatever the case, these are very interesting observations.
------------------------
F. J. Kolapo,
(Associate Professor of African History)
History Department * University of Guelph * Guelph * Ontario * Canada* N1G 2W1
Phone:519/824.4120 ex.53212 Fax: 519.766.9516
----- Original Message -----
From: augustine Togonu-Bickersteth <abickersteth@googlemail.com>
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:37:55 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Goodluck Jonathan and Albert Einstein
Goodluck Jonathan and Albert Einstein by Augustine
Togonu-Bickersteth,London,England
Goodluck Jonathan took his first decisive step by sacking the Yaradua
Cabinet on March 17 2010 which coincides with the publication of Einsteins"
miraculous" paper on light quanta, March 17 1905.
Goodluck Jonathan was declared wiinner of the Nigerian Presidential
elections by INEC on April 18 2011, anniversary of the death of Einstein, on
April 18 1955.
Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in on May 29 2011, anniversary of the
confirmation of the General theory of relativity as advanced by Einstein,May
29 1919.described as the greatest discovery of the 20th century.
Einstein, a Physicist and Goodluck Jonathan, a Biologist.
The 20th century has been described as the century of the Physicist
and the 21st Century, the century of the Biologist.
Within or outside the Laboratory,would Goodluck Jonathan write his name in
the great Books of history?.Would Goodluck Jonathan turn out to be a Great
discovery of the 21 st century? OnlyTime would tell.
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
No comments:
Post a Comment