Comments on: Debate: Is Africa a Case of Bad Leadership Aided by Complacent Followership?

By: Bunmi A.

Bunmi A. — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:21:23 +0000

The problems with Nigerians living with Nigeria is complacency…Fela correctly said it years ago “Suffering and Smiling”. In order for there to be change in Nigeria, it has to be initiated by those of us, living outside Nigeria. And we have to ready to pay the price for change, and quite frankly the price could very well be our lives. And until we get to that level of patriotism, I doubt the change can come. We’ve seen several examples, or individuals starting movement to implement change, and we’ve seen them pay the utmost price for that change, their lives… Martin Luther King Jr. is a prime example of that, and our very own Ken Saro-Wiwa is another.
The percentage of Nigerians living in poverty is overwhelming, and when you are poor, your only concerns is providing your family with the basic needs of life – Food, shelter, clothing, education not about fighting for your rights, demanding justice, or due compensation. I hear people say that workers in Nigeria go months without pay, and I sometimes wonder why go back to work if you’re not getting paid, why not go on some kind of demonstration. It’s because of our perception of the situation; it’s the “Spirit or mentality of poverty”. I suppose it looks better when you’re going to work each day, and not bringing money home that been jobless – and looking for a job. We think things will be better tomorrow.
We can’t expect change, during the same things … just like we can’t expect Nigerians living in Nigeria to initiate the change; it has to be us living outside… because when you’re outside the situation you see things from a different view.
Things have got to change, if not for us for our children. And in order to do that, we all have to fall in love with the lady, Nigeria, and be ready to give our all for her.

By: Charles

Charles — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:12:55 +0000

Well im just writing on the new AIT channel on sky 333 Movistar. To be honest i think the movies shown on that channel is a disgrace to not just Nigeria but to Africa as a whole. The movies are so old with very bad production and with no meaning.Im a Nigerian but i have irish friends that want to know about the nigerian culture,but i have had them wtch at least 5 movies on that channel with me and it was a disgrace,i could not help but flip the channel. Please who ever is incharge of the cannel should do something about it.Thanks

By: daud

daud — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:47:11 +0000

what i feel about this isssue is to maintain a good leadership which will normally bring good result to our country. moreover,corruption is the basic things that disorganased our nomerous resouces in nigerial, and corruption started from the president, senatoria governor, chairman, house of rep,and the councerlor, with the public and private people living around country

By: CareTaker

CareTaker — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:44:26 +0000

Kunle, the answers to your questions can be found the the comments preceding yours.

If I can summarize, I would say the current leadership/followership arrangement can’t stand the rigors of democracy in the 21st century. The change needed will be spearheaded by the younger generation, several of this bloc are currently entrenched in the Diaspora.

They are the “we”; they are thirsty for change – changes which will come by seeing what is wrong in a new light and being able to craft workable solutions from both ends of the society – bottom-up and top-down. This crop of people will bring a newer meaning to the concept of “leadership” by bringing the people being served.

By: Kunle

Kunle — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:44:04 +0000

Is Africa a Case of Bad Leadership Aided by Complacent Followership?

I guess this is really meant to be a rhetoric. The answer is all too obvious. I will look a bit deeper and try to configure a couple of similar but more down-to-earth versions:

1. Can the current leardership/followership arrangement deliver Africa out of her current woes?

2. If yes how long do “we” have to wait without having to do anything to change the arrangement? (I’m assuming we should not expect to wait beyond our generation).

3. If no, what do “we” need to do to change the arrangement?

4. What price do “we” have to pay for change?

5. Are “we” ready to pay this price?

6. Who are “we”? More simply put, are there any individuals or groups out there who want rapid change and have the ability and means to effect such a change regardless of the price they have to pay?.

I’m afraid until we can bluntly answer these questions as individuals, peoples and nations we will continue to revolve around this issue for generations to come!

By: Jo

Jo — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:08:05 +0000

I had forgotten I had commented here. This is such an important topic.

Two things : google Ben Zander and watch an edited version of his Davos talk on You Tube.

Leadership begins with us. If there is anything wrong with Africa, is that we act like teenagers. We do nothing for days then want it all now. Do little things. Trust in your fellow citizens to respond in little ways. It will add up. Our impatience leads to our failures.

If you want to do something small today, please contact SADC to offer thanks & support for the meeting tomorrow. The numbers are on Sokwanele’s blog. Sorry I can’t put the url because it might be seen as spam. It will come up in google. Add Action alert.

Here is a small inexpensive way of showing solidarity with leaders who are in a very difficult situation. Our support may help them find those small points of leverage that may bring the situation in Zimbabwe to a positive outcome.

Thanks – and if you want to laugh. Hit Madam & Eve. The South African cartoonists are having fun at our expense. A laugh is always good.

Thanks for the space!

By: Veronica

Veronica — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:57:41 +0000

Good discussion so far, but like Jo, I’m at the stage when I wonder what we all can do to “encourage” our leadership to act more responsibly, to put the needs of the people ahead of the greedy few and to take a real interest in the advancement of the country.

The question is how. Even in America, we have issues with politicians talking one way during the electoral process and then turning a blinds eye to all their promises as soon as they are elected. Rarely is anyone taken to task. You only need to look to the current war and the fact that (according to polls) most Americans wish we’d never entered into this and would exit as soon as possible – yet, does our government hear us? No, 5 years later, this thing still drags on.

There are the tried and true methods of protest, marching, sit-ins, boycotts, etc, but ultimately, we must groom our young people to have the character needed to move the country forward – these will be the future politicians and leaders of our societies.

Just my two cents.

By: Jo

Jo — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:35:46 +0000

I know I only have to hit an African party to find a spirited articulate conversation that is warm and funny. I wonder though whether we just talk our lives away and though we are very funny, use our humor as a an excuse for inaction.

So what action do I recommend? Concentrate on what can be done. Forget what cannot be done. Talk about what can be done. Talk and talk about what can be done. Let’s fill our heads with that.

By: controversial

controversial — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 04:46:45 +0000

Okay,okay, okay. This is a nice conversation to have but so what? It could be bad leadership thathas caused Africa
problems but it could also be follow follow. Let us not forget that the system (whether it be in Nigeria or in America or in Germany) needs follow follow to function. Democracy and dictatorships depend on people who will act unthinkingly and unquestionigly. That is what makes the world go round. Sorry to say it but if any of you think about it,you will realize it is true.

The only difference between countries like Nigeria and America is the issue of perception. Nigerian rulers are not worried about perception and so do not fret over the need to create equitable systems. They care not for the importance of legacy because our culture allows the wealthy to buy everything inluding a good name and a place in the history books. So, whether it is follow follow bad rulership is secondary to the need to demand working institutions and systems. Education is key.

Congratulations your’s is the 3000th comment on AfricanLoft! – admin.

By: Xcroc

Xcroc — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:47:23 +0000

Democratization in Africa: What Progress Towards Institutionalization?, a report from a conference held in Accra in October 2007 is available in PDF online:
http://www.fas.org/irp/nic/african_democ_2008.pdf
National Intelligence Council
Conference Report CR 2008-1
February 2008
There were 50 participants and 15 African countries represented.

I’ve been reading the report and it is quite fascinating, with much to be optimistic about as well as more discouraging information. It is also interesting because the person who alerted me got the information from Secrecy News, which provides public access to documentary resources on secrecy, intelligence and national security policy, or possibly from the Secrecy News Blog. That makes me wonder if the US does not really want to publicize the report. Every page of it has This paper does not represent US Government views. across the top and the bottom of the page. But that may be some standard format.

For those engaging in any political activity in Africa, and that includes participating in any kind of community groups, even online groups, I think this is valuable reading, certainly worth a look.