USA Africa Dialogue Series - IMPORTANT MESSAGE‹Re: Prof Olukotun's Column

My Greatly Esteemed Bolaji, 

A very important message. Thank you. 

All of us can do only the best we can. 

And you are doing yours. All quite wonderful. 

The ordinary folk of Nigeria, were they but to know, would be delighted. 

No need to go into all the background and reasons for Nigeria being in the state it is now. All who participate in this Listserve knows the reasons by rote. This brief excerpt from my Wings, sums it up—and suggests where we're headed: 

" …As for Africa? The Euro/ Developed world used its massive material and technological capacity, its overwhelming power thus produced, to access Africa lands, to plunder and to divide. Africa folk were confronted with an alien mind-set, and of course no evolved technology and associated materiel through which successfully to resist. The Euro-invaders, though in most instances operating at full throttle for less than a century before being driven out, left a heavy imprint:  a heritage of deep social and cultural dysfunction; profound damage that has ensured parallel dysfunction in the governance and economies of all new Africa states. Indeed, with many Euro and other states now active in new colonial acquisitive ventures, Africa still has a distance to travel before it may once again secure effective guardianship and control over its own lands and resources.

"In the past fifty years, however, Africa has been working hard, and moving fast—though from modern media coverage one could be forgiven for believing the reverse. Natural gifts and talents in growing numbers have been realized and actuated. In all areas of business and commerce, in the many branches of the academy, in science and technology; Africa folk have joined specialists from the Western and developed world at the very pinnacle of brilliance, invention and accomplishment. It is a fantastic record of achievement. And it continues at ever growing pace.

"Thus the 'Engine Room' of Africa is only just starting to produce serious thrust. It is a thrust rooted in great reservoirs of energy and ravenous hunger for all things. And while “primitive accumulation” by most Africa oligarchs is the current norm—a practice that has turned many of its most brilliant and productive citizens into exiles; and that also is holding back a massive range of vitally important development throughout the continent—release and actuation will come. There is a limit to the time that growing multitudes of Africa folk of high talent, energy and intelligence can be ignored/ excluded/ suppressed. The huge and ever-growing force, the thrust from below grows daily. Eventually it will become too much. It will breach the “oligarchical dam.” There will be a huge release. Folk from distant diasporic lands, and from all levels in Africa society, will flood forward. Africa will come into its own." 

World Reality today is that we through our super-clever/ visionary technical elite 

Have moved huge distances over just the past century in fields of invention/ development/ 

Evolved material/ cognitive growth. It has in brief been fabulous. And increasing numbers of our Africa brothers and Sisters  are core and wondrous participants—you, Bolaji, as you engage on the Battlefronts of Nigeria, are but one. The momentum of this activity is great. And it will grow. 

The other side of the coin/ equation we all also know well. And you are faced up-front with it daily. And of course it relates to Value/ Principle; what it is that has conditioned our behaviour as members of the human race since our start as beings in our Socially Organised Groups. (See, attached, 'New Values') 

For 10,000 years at least, we and our ancestors have been trained to the "Strong-man/ Top-down" ethic. And this ethic has been built-in to our beliefs/ behaviour/ institutions. It is the course cut by the "World Ship of State" as with massive momentum—and with all its sizeable cluster of individual "Nation State Ships" in close attendance—it powers its way through the oceans of our life. It is a settled course. But it can be shifted 

And today?

What is seen operative in naked form in Nigeria, and many other of today's new states containing pigeon-holed folk of often ancient and revered origin and culture, is merely the "out-growth product" that increasingly less covert/ less-disguised metro/ "developed" world beliefs/ behaviour and institutions—which embody and project outwards with all the accelerated/ hyperbolic force of our modern all-pervasive systems of communication—enable and provide. 

Those who understood human behaviour from early times, repeatedly warned that from times of Kings by "Divine Right," down to Presidents by "Democratic Election"—and all that sprung from these oligarchs—must end in tears, if Fundamental Adjustments were not made. 

These Fundamental Adjustments of course relate to setting in place, in modern parlance, a legislated Bill of Responsibilities, to balance the enshrined Bill of Rights present in nearly all of today's national constitutions—Rights which in political and economic terms mean "the Sacred  Right of the Individual" to do as he chooses, without need under Law to give regard to ANY moral or ethical consideration, which MIGHT suggest a course of action—as implemented by, say, Goldman-Sachs/ Leyman Bros, and financial institutions worldwide which ensured the crash of 2008/ bankruptcy of most "developed" world economies—will have grave/ devastating/ indeed lethal consequences for folk in their homelands worldwide. 

Somewhere I've got an item relating to a Charter of Human Responsibility, of recent origin—can't find it, but these refs will do.  http://interactioncouncil.org/universal-declaration-human-responsibilities  … http://www.response.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/RESPONSIBILITY-CHARTER-+.pdf … http://www.alliance21.org/en/charte/proposition.html 

Many folk and institutions worldwide are working on issues of Responsibility and Relevant Charters and Bills thereof. Some (State of Victoria in Australia being one http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/the-law/the-charter-of-human-rights-and-responsibilities ) have such Bills in place. 

Needless to say the responses of National Govts and their Rulers is less than enthusiastic. Same for principal Business institutions. Usually when challenged each shrugs and points at the other. A serious Bill of Responsibilities is not popular—at least as judged from utterances/ coverage/ championing by legislators, and of course the closest and most vital ally of Govts/ powerful economic interests in this modern age of cyber-communication/ 24-7 coverage, the Meedja. 

As noted above, the beliefs/ behaviour/ institutions of the firmly-entrenched/ embedded orders of society/ government/ economy are "established." Indeed, how many of us are aware/ recognise that virtually all we do/ think is conditioned/ guided/ controlled by these 'established' features/ elements? That this is so, is of course a large part of the problem in bringing forward serious Powers of Civil Responsibility to even start the process of Balance with Powers of Civil Rights. 

Please:  if you've not seen these items relating to Civil Responsibilities, do take a little time to read and consider what they have to say. …Also, do cast your eye over the attached item 'New Values' (by John McMurtry,  world authority on Moral and Social Theory, and its Application and Practice) ; it is I am sure you will find, very relevant and informative. …'Sunday Thoughts' addresses the same issue via a somewhat different path. I was at the time much engaged at every level with Libya acts/ folk/ events. …Here in the UK there was great interest—for an obvious reason. Yes, OIL. 

 

They represent our way forward towards a more humane/ commonsense/ caring and equitable world. 

Nigeria is part of that world. 

So, as Bolaji clearly sets forward for us, in yet another testimony of concern shared at root by 98 per cent of the country's folk—regardless of how they may be whipped up into adversarial passions by interested parties and the meedja—hold tight to what we all know to be humane commonsense/ caring/ engagement; and where we can individually or collectively bring forward initiatives that will ease the process forward (and in Bolaji's case, with an inventive and most useful set of legal/ legislated along with participant guidance/ support provisions in place); that is the way to proceed/ to open doors that will duly be opened, sooner or later.  Tis thought/ energy/ engagement well invested. It will bear fruit. But as with so many of Nigeria's Greatest Sons and Daughters—brilliant folk of huge energy and skill and integrity and courage—realisation and recognition may be still a little time off. 

For you dear Bolaji, tis Civil Responsibility tackled in the trenches of Nigeria reaiity today. 

And these words by me?  Written from the Shrine of Osun? From the Market at Ile Ife? Maybe from the Meeting Place of the Ogirrua at Irrua? The Palace of the Oba of Benin? Maybe the campus Bookshop at Univ of Ibadan? 

No, not at all. They are tapped out on the laptop in my office upstairs at my home in the Downs of Sussex. 

Winter is steadily approaching. Darkness grows. As does the cold and damp. No Africa Sun and the Great Light that always it has produced. 

Please do keep us updated. I am sure I am not the only one greatly interested in your important endeavours 

For the folk of Nigeria, and also for that larger humanity that today struggles valiantly worldwide. 

Best,  Mich`el v

From: Bolaji Ogunseye <erinje@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: Bolaji Ogunseye <erinje@yahoo.com>
Date: Friday, 28 October 2016 08:27
To: Prof Ayo OLUKOTUN <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>, Prof Toyin FALOLA <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>, USA-AFRICA dialogue <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>, "Dr O.A. DOSUMU" <toksx@yahoo.com>, Prof Richard JOSEPH <r-joseph@northwestern.edu>, Michael VICKERS <mvickers@mvickers.plus.com>, Attahiru Jega <attahirujega@yahoo.com>, Bolaji Akinyemi <rotaben@gmail.com>, Bunmi Ayoade <maximaxiforte@gmail.com>, Dr Banji OYEYINKA <boyeyinka@hotmail.com>, Chibuzo NWOKE <chibuzonwoke@yahoo.com>, Christian Ogbondah <chris.ogbondah@uni.edu>, "Chukwuma, Innocent" <innocent.chukwuma@fordfoundation.org>, Kayode Soremekun <paddykay2002@yahoo.com>, "Haastrup, Deji Olaolu" <deji@chevron.com>, Hafsat Abiola <hafsatabiola@hotmail.com>, Prof Ebenezer OBADARE <obadare@ku.edu>, Obadiah Mailafia <obmailafia@gmail.com>, Odia OFEIMUN <odia55@yahoo.com>, Ladipo ADAMOLEKUN <dipo7k@yahoo.com>, Dr Olajumoke YACOB-HALISO <jumoyin@yahoo.co.uk>, SEGUN GBADEGESIN <gbadeg2002@yahoo.com>, Segun Awonusi <segunawo@yahoo.com>, Pa Uoma <pauoma@gmail.com>, pai Obanya <paiobanya@gmail.com>, Prof Pius ADESANMI <piusadesanmi@gmail.com>, Prof Bayo ADEKANYE <profbayo_adekanye@yahoo.com>, "Prof. Lere Amusan" <lereamusan@gmail.com>, Prof Alli <alliwo@yahoo.co.uk>, Wale Adebanwi <waleadebanwi@gmail.com>, William Fawole <fawolew@yahoo.com>, "babaidanre@gmail.com" <babaidanre@gmail.com>, "kennyode@yahoo.com" <kennyode@yahoo.com>, "fadesola@oauife.edu.ng" <fadesola@oauife.edu.ng>, Femi FALANA <falanalagos@yahoo.com>, Femi Osofisan <okinbalaunko@yahoo.com>, FemiMimiko <femi.mimiko@gmail.com>, Nimi Wariboko <nimiwari@msn.com>, Niyi Osundare <oosunda1@uno.edu>, Noel Ihebuzor <noel.ihebuzor@gmail.com>, Ebunoluwa Oduwole <ebunoduwole2k2@yahoo.com>, Emmanuel Remi Aiyede <eaiyede@yahoo.com>, Hassan Saliu <hassansaliu2003@gmail.com>, "jadesany@yahoo.co.uk" <jadesany@yahoo.co.uk>, Jibo <jibo72@yahoo.com>, Prof Jide Owoeye <babsowoeye@gmail.com>, adele jinadu <lajinadu@yahoo.com>, Adebayo Olukoshi <olukoshi@gmail.com>, Adigun Agbaje <adigunagbaje@yahoo.com>, Adebayo <adebayow@hotmail.com>, Jinmi Adisa <jinmiadisa@gmail.com>, Tade Aina <tadeakinaina@yahoo.com>, Tiwa <tiwaolugbade@yahoo.com>, Tunji Olaopa <tolaopa2003@gmail.com>, Akinlawon Mabogunje <mabogunje1931@yahoo.com>, akin osuntokun <akinosuntokun@yahoo.com>, "Dr.Remi SONAIYA" <remisonaiya@yahoo.com>, Reuben Abatti <abati1990@yahoo.com>, "rsuberu@bennington.edu" <rsuberu@bennington.edu>, "Nwulu, Paul" <p.nwulu@fordfoundation.org>, Glory Ukwenga <gloryukwenga@gmail.com>, Faith Adebiyi <faithadebiyi01@gmail.com>, Fola Arthur-Worrey <folaaw@yahoo.com>, antonia simbine <tsombe98@yahoo.com>, Lanre Idowu <lanreidowu@gmail.com>, lanre oluwaniyi <lanre1256@hotmail.com>, Yomi Layinka <yourme5@yahoo.co.uk>, "bokwechime@yahoo.co.uk" <bokwechime@yahoo.co.uk>, Prof I Olawole ALBERT <ioalbert2004@yahoo.com>, "irenepogoson@yahoo.com" <irenepogoson@yahoo.com>, Funmi Odusolu <eleda.odusolu@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Fw: Prof Olukotun's Column

Ayo, sorry this comes rather a little late (although sharing ideas is hardly ever 'late'). I have been busy consulting on a planning project somewhere in the Niger Delta. Intra-state travels and meetings revealing heart-rending accounts of much - far too much - of what's wrong with this country, are making the heart heavy and the fingers heavier to hit the keyboards writing anything other the the assignment's reports, which are 'de rigueur'.

But my on-going experience supplies much evidence to reinforce the metaphor of national decay that your Library article so touchingly (depressingly) presents. By the nature of my own 'profession' (which, at a deeply analytical level, may well be part of the 'problem of development'!!) - I have constantly to explore possible 'SOLUTIONS', as one's sense of what is right gets assaulted as often as one comes in direct encounter with another failed or failing govt. project - after billions of naira have gone into a black hole. I will come back on this possible 'solution' issue.

In the past few weeks, what I have seen on this assignment (much like what I saw on consultancy assignments in a state in the West and another in the middle-belt over the past year) makes me fear that our politicians (most of them) may be on course to eventually sink this country (developmentally), given the trajectory of their thinking and priorities in terms of the question: 'what does the country (or my state) need, and how best do I move towards getting it done in the position I now occupy?' Buhari/the Centre is making all these 'CHANGE' moves (however that may come across to us individually), but in 36 states across the land, the game is overwhelmingly ' . . . oh bladee, oh bladaah, life goes on . . .' (some states only less depressing than others); while we - the 'commentary and intellectualising class' (nothing wrong with our vocation, by the way) may continue to be mere critically analytic OBSERVERS - while the demolition job by our politicians continues apace. That's my big fear.

So, back to the 'solution' department. Let's start with a 'solution' which I'm currently dangling before my consultancy-authourizing quarters to guarantee that future governors are strongly bound to continue implementing the spirit, letter and content of the long-term sustainable development strategy we are designing for the state in question. I have proposed as follows: when this strategy/plan is ready to be signed into state law, let's make sure that a 'civic scrutiny rights' clause is integrated; the states Bar Assoc, Chamber of Commerce, Agric/Farmers' Assoc, state-wide Students Union, NGO network, state NMA - Medical Assoc, Traders/Market sellers Assoc, etc should be invited to sign as 'Witness/Stakeholders', so that, in addition to having legal citizens' powers to scrutinise the implementation, they can legally challenge any future governor that wants to FRIVOLOUSLY set aside the implementation (and integrity/transparency-enhancing provisions being built into the long-term plan) - WITHOUT PREJUDICE  to any future needs for necessary amendments in light of evolving realities, etc, stringent amendment clauses for which we are making allowance. 

I recognise that this may well be a frustration-induced proposal on my part, which may go nowhere - just like my frustration-induced entry into the Lagos 2015 Governorship election race,where, though I came 3rd, I was hopelessly and mercilessly beaten (in numbers) beyond recognition. I noticed that up till now 95% of Lagos voters (perhaps including those who voted for me) DO NOT know there was a 3rd candidate!! Only the two heavily-moneyed candidates 'were in the election' - for most people, even for most of the media (though some were so enamoured of my message/platform that they wished I was in one of the 'right parties', etc). 

Other 'solution-paths' may/should include, a huge, nation-wide Mentorship Project, where some of us (and many other Nigerians of goodwill, integrity and relatively superior insight on 'Project Nigeria') - take on 10, 20 or more of the younger ones/youth (18 to 40 age range) and mentor them on the challenges, opportunities and their potential role in economic modernisation and nation building - doing this for a reasonably extended period (as individually convenient), inspiring them with the values, work/impact of our most outstanding Founding Fathers, etc. They can't get such close-up mentoring in the elaborate, 500-attendee conferences, seminars, workshops, etc - though small 5-10 workshops has a better chance of making impact. Again, frustration-induced. Let's ORGANISE for the purpose of advocating to have a 'civic-scrutiny rights' law enacted in this country (NOT the F.o.I  that no one observes; indeed after the passage of the F.o.I, Fashola specifically DIRECTED all Lagos State MDAs to NOT provide state-activity information to ANYONE 2 years prior to the 2015 elections!! I was on an assignment on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for an international Foundation and everywhere I went for state info on the sector, they told me categorically of the information ban!!),  so, a scrutiny law that - under specified conditions - allows us the people/organised civil society, to have the powers to demand information and scrutinize the award, execution and impacts of projects being undertaken by govts at ALL levels. This country has become a graveyard of sometimes well-intentioned, sometimes over-ambitious, designed-for-looting, and sometimes, outrightly stupid and low-insight projects by govt leaders  at all levels. Whereas some projects (including infrastructure ones) undertaken in the 1950s, have not only served the public in their time, but have survived in use and impact up to this day!!

The big dilemma and irony is that country has many politicians who know how to win/secure power, but they know little about HOW to use the power positively for PROJECT NIGERIA;, while. on the other hand, many people (and yes, Nigeria does still have relatively many good, high-integrity, high-insight, high-capacity and high-commitment, public-good-oriented people, here and in the diaspora) those who have better 'solutions' if they can power, just do not have the means or KNOW- HOW to get power in the public sphere, leaving 180 million people (out of which 110 poor) trapped in-between this depressing binary political and power reality.

One can go on and on, really. But let me end with one of the absurdities that many of our politicians foist on us year-in year-out, and which, we somehow accept - oh bladee .... As I write, a governor in this country (shall remain nameless for now) has almost 200 Special Assistants and Special Advisers - the famous and ubiquitous S.A.s!! Many of them (as in all states) head departments and often get into endless struggle for space and other resources with the heads of ministries and other agencies. This governor has appointed (and pleeeeeaaaase believe me - for I kid you not) SA for Scrap Metals, SA for State branding, SA for Stationery and Office Supplies, SA for Cassava, SA for Maize (this, along with about 20 other agencies in the Agric Ministry!!).  Just referencing the past - when I headed a govt agency somewhere in the Niger Delta about 7-9 years ago (on secondment from an oil company), I remember meeting the SA for Aquaculture (that's generally o,k) early in the course of my duties. I knew his name. One day, I was alerted that the SA on Aquaculture was waiting to see me. I noticed that the name announced was not the guy I knew. I thought may be the Governor had changed the appointee. He came up and while commenting that I knew MR X in that post up to last month, he interrupted me to say, no, no he (the other guy) is still in post '. . .  I am the SA on Catfish!! I beg you in God's name to believe me - for this account is TRUE. In fact, I told perhaps one or two people on this forum the story. I thought that was the worst I had seen and would ever see. I didn't think I would have the great privilege to live long enough to meet an SA for Scrap Metals!!

All so strange in the (failed and failing) governance of legoland-Nigeriana!!

Regards and sorry that's it's gone on too long.

Bolaji

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From: "ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com" <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>
To: Ayo Olukotun <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>; Toyin Falola <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>; Usa dialogue <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>; Dr. Awolowo Dosunmu <toksx@yahoo.com>; Richard Joseph <r-joseph@northwestern.edu>; Michael Vickers <mvickers@mvickers.plus.com>; Attahiru Jega <attahirujega@yahoo.com>; Bolaji Akinyemi <rotaben@gmail.com>; Bunmi Ayoade <maximaxiforte@gmail.com>; Bolaji Ogunseye <erinje@yahoo.com>; Banji Oyeyinka <boyeyinka@hotmail.com>; chibuzo nwoke <chibuzonwoke@yahoo.com>; Christian Ogbondah <chris.ogbondah@uni.edu>; "Chukwuma, Innocent" <innocent.chukwuma@fordfoundation.org>; Kayode Soremekun <paddykay2002@yahoo.com>; "Haastrup, Deji Olaolu" <deji@chevron.com>; Hafsat Abiola <hafsatabiola@hotmail.com>; Obadare Ebenezer Babatunde <obadare@ku.edu>; Obadiah Mailafia <obmailafia@gmail.com>; Odia Ofeimun <odia55@yahoo.com>; Oladipupo Adamolekun <dipo7k@yahoo.com>; Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso <jumoyin@yahoo.co.uk>; SEGUN GBADEGESIN <gbadeg2002@yahoo.com>; segunawo <segunawo@yahoo.com>; Pa Uoma <pauoma@gmail.com>; pai Obanya <paiobanya@gmail.com>; Pius Adesanmi <piusadesanmi@gmail.com>; Prof Bayo Adekanye <profbayo_adekanye@yahoo.com>; Prof. Lere Amusan <lereamusan@gmail.com>; Prof Alli <alliwo@yahoo.co.uk>; Wale Adebanwi <waleadebanwi@gmail.com>; William Fawole <fawolew@yahoo.com>; babaidanre@gmail.com; kennyode@yahoo.com; fadesola@oauife.edu.ng; Femi Falana <falanalagos@yahoo.com>; Femi Osofisan <okinbalaunko@yahoo.com>; FemiMimiko <femi.mimiko@gmail.com>; Nimi Wariboko <nimiwari@msn.com>; Niyi Osundare <oosunda1@uno.edu>; Noel Ihebuzor <noel.ihebuzor@gmail.com>; Ebunoluwa Oduwole <ebunoduwole2k2@yahoo.com>; Emmanuel Remi Aiyede <eaiyede@yahoo.com>; Hassan Saliu <hassansaliu2003@gmail.com>; jadesany@yahoo.co.uk; Jibo <jibo72@yahoo.com>; Jide Owoeye <babsowoeye@gmail.com>; adele jinadu <lajinadu@yahoo.com>; Adebayo Olukoshi <olukoshi@gmail.com>; Adigun Agbaje <adigunagbaje@yahoo.com>; Adebayo <adebayow@hotmail.com>; Jinmi Adisa <jinmiadisa@gmail.com>; Tade Aina <tadeakinaina@yahoo.com>; Tiwa <tiwaolugbade@yahoo.com>; Tunji Olaopa <tolaopa2003@gmail.com>; Akinlawon Mabogunje <mabogunje1931@yahoo.com>; akin osuntokun <akinosuntokun@yahoo.com>; Remi Sonaiya <remisonaiya@yahoo.com>; Reuben Abatti <abati1990@yahoo.com>; rsuberu@bennington.edu; "Nwulu, Paul" <p.nwulu@fordfoundation.org>; Glory Ukwenga <gloryukwenga@gmail.com>; Faith Adebiyi <faithadebiyi01@gmail.com>; Fola Arthur-Worrey <folaaw@yahoo.com>; antonia simbine <tsombe98@yahoo.com>; Lanre Idowu <lanreidowu@gmail.com>; lanre oluwaniyi <lanre1256@hotmail.com>; Yomi Layinka <yourme5@yahoo.co.uk>; bokwechime@yahoo.co.uk; I.O.Albert <ioalbert2004@yahoo.com>; irenepogoson@yahoo.com; Funmi Odusolu <eleda.odusolu@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, 21 October 2016, 5:18
Subject: Fw: Fw: Prof Olukotun's Column

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.

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From: Francis Irele <abiolairele@gmail.com>

Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2016 23:16:49 -0400

To: Ayo Olukotun<ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>

Cc: Ayobami Salami<ayobasalami@yahoo.com>; olatoye_ojo<olatoye_ojo@yahoo.com>; OLAYEMI FOLINE<offlinenspri@gmail.com>; <olu_okotoni@yahoo.co.uk>; Ogunfolakan Adisa<babaadii@yahoo.com>; Okey Ibeanu<oibeanu@yahoo.co.uk>; Olatunde Babawale<tunde_babawale@yahoo.com>; olufemi onabajo<olufemionabajo@yahoo.com>; Olufemi Vaughan<ovaughan@bowdoin.edu>; olukotun bob-kunle<bobkunle@yahoo.com>; Alaba Ogunsanwo<alabaogunsanwo@gmail.com>; alade rotimi-john<rotimijohnandcompany@gmail.com>; adesaid<adesaid@yahoo.com>; <anujah@yahoo.com>; <aoyewo@aol.com>; Prof. Lere Amusan<lereamusan@gmail.com>; Tolulope Sajobi<ttsajobi@ucalgary.ca>; Yomi Layinka<yourme5@yahoo.co.uk>; tony afejuku<tonyafejuku@yahoo.com>; <kennyyode@yahoo.com>; Kikelomo Omonojo<kikelomoomonojo@gmail.com>; Koyinsola Owoeye<stiker88@hotmail.com>; Kunle Ajibade<kajibade@gmail.com>; Kwame Karikari<afumkarikari@gmail.com>; Ibrahim Gambari<Ibrahim.gambari@gmail.com>; <idisi2013@gmail.com>; <irenepogoson@yahoo.com>; T. Ajayi<palaceproject50@yahoo.co.uk>; Tunde Oseni<tundeoseni@gmail.com>; Aladeniji Theo<itsblackbeauty624@yahoo.com>; Bose<bose@pindfoundation.org>; charles akinola<akindijiakinola@gmail.com>; <akin3317@yahoo.com>; diekoye oyeyinka<diekoye@gmail.com>; eojo12000<eojo12000@yahoo.com>

Subject: Re: Fw: Prof Olukotun's Column

Thank you Professor Olukotun for this excellent commentary. But who is reading it? Who is listening to the lament you've raised? How can any reform take place when those in power, as you have shown, are themselves at the the root of the problem? 

A parallel situation exists at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos. Teju Cole in his book, Everyday is for the Thief, describes the dilapidated state of the museum which is supposed to house our national heritage. The absence of cultural awareness of our leadership is exemplified in his book by the proposal by one of our erstwhile dictators to donate to the Queen of England one of our finest, priceless Benin pieces, to thank her for making an official visit to Nigeria. That visit never took place. But there remains a question: what happened to the millions committed by the Ford Foundation to the rehabilitation of the museum, which, ironically enough, has itself become a museum piece, in the worst sense of the term.

What kind of country and society are we building when the question can be asked of a Head of State who was a university teacher what he reads?

Abiola Irele

  

 

     

On Thu, Oct 20, 2016 at 9:14 PM, <ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com> wrote:

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.

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From: Ibini Olaide <ibini_olaide@yahoo.com>

Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2016 11:42:34 +0000 (UTC)

To: ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com<ayo_ olukotun@yahoo.com>

ReplyTo: "ibini_olaide@yahoo.com" <ibini_olaide@yahoo.com>

Subject: Prof Olukotun's Column

              COMATOSE LIBRARIES AND A DISAPPEARING NATION

                             AYO OLUKOTUN

     Astonishing contrasts and rude paradoxes define the Nigerian identity. It has, if the International Monetary fund is to be believed, recently re-emerged as Africa's largest economy, but what does this translate to, for citizens, many of whom resemble, in their suffering, survivors of a holocoust?. Nigeria aspires to the world stage, but its institutions are drastically enfeebled, while its component nationalities are in varying stages of revolt against a centre that is both imperious and ineffective. 

    It is against this backdrop of great potentials nestling with sensational setbacks, that one seeks to understand the shocking disrepair, that has overtaken the nation's pre-eminent cultural institution, the National Library. A national newspaper reported on Wednesday, that the library is owing arrears of staff claims stretching to six years, while it is in danger of being evicted from its headquarters in Abuja, for failure to pay up its rent for three consecutive years. The report provides insight into the decrepit nature of the space currently occupied by the library, describing it as "in a deplorable state, with leaking roof, cracked walls, malfunctioning toilets and broken water pipes". One always had an idea, as a cursory visit reveals, of the run down nature of our libraries; what is galling and scandalous is that the nation's premier archive and cultural storehouse is about to join Nigeria's lengthening list of abandoned institutions and projects. 

     As known, great nations make it their duties and solemn assignments to preserve their heritage, histories and distinctive places,by building and sustaining great libraries. It was the American Founding Fathers, bookworms and great scholars in their own rights, who founded the Library of Congress, the nation's defacto National Library, in the early years of the Federation. Successive leaders carried forward the vision, by rebuilding and relocating it, after infernos and wars, until it became the world's largest library, acquiring well over 2 million items per year. 

         Do I need to mention the British Library, which is the National library of the United Kingdom, and boasts of material in its possession dating back to 2000 B.C? In its latest incarnation, it enjoys the prestige of being one of the most significanct public buildings in the UK in the contemporary period. We can go on and on, but the point has been made, I hope, that no nation worthy of its role definition in human affairs or mindful of its national heritage, will leave its national library in the kind of desolation that has overtaken our own.  

     How did we come to this sorry pass? Part of the narrative will necessarily point up the tragic divorce in our national life, between power and intellect. The many years of military rule, featuring an officer class that could hardly be called intellectual, spawned all kinds of philistine excesses, symptomized by the tragic meltdown in a once globally acclaimed educational sector. When the Generals went back to the barracks, retired Generals, some of them, among the richest in the world, took over from where they left off and either ruled in person or from behind the stage, producing a political elite in their own image. In an earlier piece entitled "What does President Jonathan read" ? (The Punch 19 January 2013), I drew attention to the bankruptcy in reading culture of most Nigerian leaders, outside of the well known intellectual giants of the first two decades of independence. I have no reason to believe that the situation has improved, since the article was written, especially if we go by the embarrassing, off the cuff remarks of our top politicians.

     In the same vein, legislators routinely collect allowances for researchers, but there is no evidence that they do any research. Why is this important? Because our politicians will rather fritter money on white elephant projects, than to properly furnish a national library that will be of use to generations to come. It was nice that former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, had the presence of mind to build a Presidential Library in his home; it would have been nicer if he had poured the same energy into the legacy building enterprise of extensively rekitting the nation's apex Cultural and Educational Resource Centre.  

     To be sure, libraries have undergone changes in the information age, because of the availability of internet services in homes. Interestingly however, in their current hybridized form, in which they take advantage of electronic resources, they are enjoying a revival. For example, town planners in many parts of the globe are conceiving of magnificient libraries or the reconstruction of old ones, located in the busiest areas of cities, where they can reap economic dividends, by offering a cafeteria of cultural services which appeal to a wide strata of the population. These are not libraries, housing books yellowing with age, that nobody ever reads; but innovatively located cultural institutions, featuring library halls, internet galleries, video and audio services, cafes, musuems and a range of related economic and social services. 

     Part of the distress of libraries in the Nigerian setting is that they are almost totally separated in terms of their content, from the neighbourhoods in which they are located. This lacuna sells them short, because the very communities with which they should reciprocally interact and empower through knowledge sharing, do not see any stake in these institutions. Properly conceived, the new Nigerian library, which should take its cue, from a re-invented National Library, should be an alternative university, that ware houses, tons of information about the communities in which they are located- their histories, ecology, folklores and customs. In that way, the communities will see themselves as vital parts of such institutions; while the libraries on their own parts, will provide information and resources for civic engagement and participation. Libraries starved of funds, with conspicously under-utilized computers sitting as decorating items, cannot showcase Nigerian culture or the culture its people.

        There is of course, as previously noted, a connect between reading culture and the flourishing of libraries. The phenomenon of certificated illiterates, and university as degree awarding mills, have deepened the problem because of the presence among the so called educated elite of citizens who do not read newspapers, much less books. The time-worn saying, that the best way to hide anything from the black man is to put it in a book, applies seminally to Nigerians, leaders and followers alike. Our successive Presidents continue to read public speeches in the detached manner which suggests that they probably are seeing them for the first time.

      Consequently, a re-invention of the culture of library use must go hand in hand with the revival of a reading culture, and of course, a qualitative system of education that transcends the recieving of degrees and diplomas.

      At a minimum, the National Library must be saved from extinction by redeeming it from its current prostrate circumstances. All it requires is a reset of priorities in such a way that money spent on projects of doubtful value be redirected to saving the institution. Finally, as argued, there is the urgent need to re-institute a culture of library use, by revitalizing the reading culture, while the libraries themselves should be recrafted by inserting them in social and economic activites, that can replenish them.

      

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