I don’t know what your own experience has been, but whenever I discuss with Nigerians about Nigeria, I usually find a great deal of resistance to my position, which tends to be regarded as naively optimistic. Most of us lament the situation in our country, which is a good thing; but then, we seem to equally put an incredible amount of effort into convincing ourselves that things will forever remain as they are, no matter what. We talk as if there is something peculiar, either about Nigerians or their country, militating against all the forces which normally would yield positive developments in other places, rendering them completely ineffective in our own land – you know, this is Nigeria!
Let’s examine the logic of this position. What does it take to actually believe that we’re stuck in this mess for good? A great deal, in my view, for the position has all that is known of science and history pitted against it. The lesson of the history of all humanity, to my own mind, may be summed up in the conclusion reached by King Solomon, that great philosopher of old: “What is has already been, and what will be has been before.” There is nothing new under the sun. Human beings are the same everywhere, as they have always been (abstraction made of the external, merely cosmetic differences) – a fact confirmed by thousands of years of scientific enquiry.
To believe that Nigerians are a special breed, I am afraid, will lead to the conclusion, if the position were pursued to its logical end, that Nigerians are not human! Yet, do we not flee from danger as do others? Do we too not desire to live in peace and safety? Are we not as incensed about injustice done to us? Is it not our joy to see our children, and know that we have provided adequately for their future? All these things are dear to our heart, just as they are to the Bantu, the Russian, the Eskimo, and the Navaho Indian.
If you asked me, I would say that the “this-is-Nigeria-and-things-can-never-be-better” position is, in reality, a cop-out, a way of letting oneself off the hook. It absolves you of even trying, because you’re already convinced, ever before having to lift a finger, that it’s not going to be worth it. So you devote your energy to sorting out your own problems: digging your own borehole, generating your own electricity, providing your own security, putting your children in the best private schools, ensuring that you can be treated in the best hospitals when you fall ill, etc., rather than strive for a better society for all.
Now, let me argue in favour of my “naively optimistic” position. What does it cost to espouse such a viewpoint? Absolutely nothing! Well, actually, it does cost you a few things: time wasted being angry, since you’re busy working to make things better; worry and hypertension, since you are happy and have a positive outlook on life; and wrinkles, since you are probably smiling more than eating your heart out, complaining about how terrible this country is! But seriously, what does one lose by believing that things can truly be better in Nigeria? Okay, you are passed off by people as naive, but has that ever killed anybody? Here’s my idea: why don’t we just start talking as if things could be better, just for the fun of it? (The current anti-corruption war needs our positive energy!) And before you know it, our actions might just begin to fall in line. And then, Nigeria might just start to change! Are you dreaming what I’m dreaming? Just imagine how far a simple game could take us…!
Well, I do recognise that there are people already committed to working hard for the good of this land. For them, I have a different proposal – invite them to seek “the tipping point” in whatever sphere they operate. And what’s the tipping point? Instead of trying to summarise the entire book with the same title, let me simply quote from the back page of the edition I have (2001, Abacus): “In this brilliant book, Malcolm Gladwell explains and analyses the ‘tipping point’, that magic moment when ideas, trends and social behaviours cross a threshold, tip and spread like wildfire. Taking a look behind the surface of many familiar occurrences in our everyday world, Gladwell explains the fascinating social dynamics that cause rapid change.
The notion of the tipping point has also been characterised as “a fascinating idea that should affect the way every thinking person thinks about the world around him”. Powerful words.
So, what are we saying here? Quite simply, that change is possible. It occurs when there is a thinking person who takes the time to carefully observe some given trend, recognises it as undesirable, and commits to doing whatever is needed to make that trend “tip” in the other direction. Simple, but revolutionary! If there ever was a society needing tipping points, it has to be ours. The song of “change!” is already being sung; people are needed to “tip” it into reality. And rapidly too, because we don’t have forever.
Is there anyone out there listening? Someone in whom this strikes a chord? Then, let’s get up and be on the move! Right where we are, let’s find that tipping point which will make a world of difference.