Nigerians and the addiction to fear: I urge Nigerians to find that midpoint between boldness and fear, for, change will not come from a comfort zone, neither will it come without sacrifice. This is what Nepalese young people did in order to build the nation they want. We, too, must leverage the numbers equation and overcome fear with the ‘salvific’ courage to transform the Nigeria we want. I will say it again, no amount of conferences, constitutional redraft, social media outcry, academic papers, internet write ups, and even restructuring will birth real change while we remain addicted to fear – for mere thinking will not overcome fear, but deliberate and strategic action will, and it may come with a risk.
By Elsie-Bernadette Onubogu
I am struggling – riding still on the trajectory of sermons, that it could be said, I am under an addiction. But, this is not about me.
This is about a nation that is suffering under an addiction that most citizens are unaware of, and even when aware, many prefer to live in denial.
When people in Nigeria, and perhaps others elsewhere think of the word addiction, our minds do a 100 metres dash to substance — cocaine, heroin, tramadol, alcohol, bringing it home, kolos, mkpurumiri, crystal meth, methamphetamine, etc. Yet, I believe there is another addiction, far more insidious, debilitating and definitely pervasive especially in relation to Nigeria and its present situation – that is the addiction to fear.
Believe it or not, fear is, and can be an addiction. Both spiritually and psychologically, fear grips the mind like any of the above substances, controls and directs it – for as long as that fear persists. A mind in such a grip grapples with distortions and dependence which could paralyze it.
Fear elicits the ‘fight or flight’ risk – often due to the fright of consequence and or sacrifice. For some, it is about one’s conscience struggling with being good (i.e., being in the good books), indifferent or afraid of reprisal. However, as Albert Einstein cautioned, “If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.”
Presently, Nigeria’s greatest obstacle to transformation is not corruption, poverty, or bad governance —it is fear. Fear of those we purportedly placed in authority, fear of consequence – from sycophants and citizens alike, and fear of sacrifice from those who truly desire change.
Fear freezes a nation and its people. It traps citizens in a state of inaction such that we become complicit even in our oppression. Such that Nigeria/ns are now stuck in what is known as the ‘Stockholm Syndrome.’
Yes, fear is an addiction that silences the conscience, corrodes courage, and enslaves a person or persons much more than the chain of slavery did. Similar to slavery though, the enslavement comes with dire consequences and at a cost. Unfortunately, so many Nigerians live in the “NOW.” And, in this moment of “NOW,” we only see the present cost. Tragically, the future cost may be more devastating especially for the generations to come.
Yes, Nigeria is a nation addicted to and enslaved by fear. The consequences of this enslavement can only be overcome by the collective courage of well-meaning citizens, who must remember the words of Mark Twain, “Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain.” So, as a collective, we must rise against the present fear to challenge the impunity and tyranny that has taken over our homeland.
To avoid the consequences or stop it in its track, we must open a new bank – the Nigerian Bank of Courage (NBC). And, the truth is NBC has millions of ready customers – i.e., all those suffering the present hardship and impunity against a handful perpetrating the hardship.
To do so, I urge Nigerians to invest in NBC – as Aristotle noted, ‘courage is the midpoint between boldness and fear.’ Thus, we must proceed with a boldness mindset that is ready to jump out of the present ‘hardship comfort zone’ that we find ourselves. This is crucial because, history has shown that change is not born from comfort but challenge and sacrifice, and “no ideal becomes a reality without sacrifice.”
READ ALSO: A tale of pipers and flutes: Why Nigerians miss the ‘mark’
Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern: Who is afraid and why?
The time to conquer that fear is far long gone, for fear left unchecked, is the perfect tool of control. It is time to dismantle what a despicable few have wielded as their vehicle of control – our fears. That fear has not only emboldened the corrupt, kept them secure, but has us, broken, consistently exploited and unduly burdened.
Yes, mathematically, the equation is in favour of the millions, if only we can invest in the courage to act. If we do so, we will not only have overcome the addiction, but, also change the present narrative. For example, like the ‘Game of Thrones’ – a struggle against political intrigue, power and betrayals, we can latch onto the resolve and courage of the likes of Aba Women’s riot as the magical force to overcome this addiction.
We complain, debate, and write — yet remain inert. The tyranny and impunity that have ravaged our nation thrives not just because of the oppressor’s strength, but because of the people’s fear and lack of strategic and targeted action. Our complicity says, some mystical or mysterious heroes will come to save us.
But, real change demands a paradigm shift — a collective awakening that confronts fear head-on. In this instance, ’Numbers do matter,’ but, the ‘missing’ ingredient is the courage to confront. Real change demands a paradigm shift that will ensure a collective awakening to confront fear head-on. I have no doubt that if there was a confrontation, for those who wish Nigeria to transform can ‘ace’ the game with their number.
While this discourse will highlight the spiritual acknowledgment of the fear addiction, the real focus will be on the psychological. It will outline the hold fear has on the Nigerian society, i.e., how the unchecked fear crippling Nigerians to fight against the dark forces that are working against its transformation. In this sense, we must see beyond the emotion fear, and see it as an existential obstacle.
Yes, indeed, it seems its existentiality is recognized in the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God issued the command “Do not fear” or “Be not afraid” 365 times. Consequently, it will be correct to say, God knew how pervasive fear would be to humans, so He provided daily affirmations.
Indeed, others have realized the danger of being overcome by fear, that, as humans, we are urged to do everything in our power to overcome it. For instance, Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” His words resonate because fear, once internalized, becomes self-perpetuating, to the extent that it imprisons from within. To overcome this therefore, the change must flow from within each of us.
So, if we can unite as a people, rise with courage, we can overcome even the most tyrannical or authoritarian regime. History proves this with examples. From the Aba Women’s Riots in colonial Nigeria to the defiant students of Tiananmen Square, from the Arab Spring uprisings to the more recent protests in Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Nepal — the story is the same. People who had long lived under repression finally confronted their addiction to fear.
Just a few months ago in Nepal, when the government clamped down on social media, over one million protesters were met with gunfire, many were millennials — young people who knew that change required courage. These millennials (imbued with the courage that comes with that age) understood and tested the simple truth (that we – Nigerians seem to have forgotten) – i.e., bullets are limited – indeed, finite, especially in comparison to their numbers. So, they stood their ground. Eventually, the shooters exhausted their ammunition, and the tide turned.
Nepal’s triumphant story should be a reminder to Nigeria (in particular – the youth) that the people overcame fear and acted with courage. Yes, there are questions about who will face the bullet. Yet another truth is, no “ideal becomes a reality without sacrifice.”
Yes, there will be sacrifice, but, Nigeria’s young people should remember, the present destruction will impact negatively on their future.
Thus, inaction may be a greater cost to pay, and there is need to, not allow this be a ‘missed opportunity’.
To deliver Nigeria from the present predicament, will require same resolve witnessed from those listed above. The kind of resolve that women in Aba employed against the tyrannical British rule in the year 1929. Unless we confront the addiction to fear, no amount of social media ranting, scholarly write ups, restructuring, constitutional redrafting, conferences or viral posting will bring desired change. As Dale Carnegie warned, “Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will.”
Indeed, to complain, debate, rant, write, and yet remain inert is futile. The tyranny and impunity that is ravaging our nation thrives not because of the oppressor’s strength, but because of our fear as a people.
Because fear freezes the mind, it halts action, and stagnates the society, and that’s where we are at the moment. Many of us are frozen in fear – which has drowned out voices. We are in a state of collective paralysis. As noted earlier, many of us are either afraid of reprisals or of standing alone – avoiding the moral duty and responsibility as citizens.
We must begin to see reform not only as a moral duty but as a game changer, a game of numbers, a game of courage. Yes, a few of them in the corridors of power may wield the cash and weapons, but as a collective, we stand in majority as shareholders of power – if only we can conquer our fears.
Erroneously, our silence seems to translate that everything is okay, when in truth, there is hardship. Our silence must not be taken to mean surrender. We must tell these despicable few that we have reached our tipping point, a point at which citizens rise beyond hardship, pain, and fears to say, enough is enough! For me, that moment is long overdue, and we must not be said to have missed the opportunity!
Breaking the addiction to fear!
It is time to break this addiction. To get started, let us remind ourselves that “Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.” As Nigerians, we must dig deep into our subconscious minds – journey through the path of boldness in order to find the courage to speak, to organize, to demand good governance, confront intimidation, greed, corruption and betrayal.
Let me reiterate, the time to conquer that fear is far long gone, for fear left unchecked, is the perfect tool of control. It is time to dismantle what a select few have wielded as their vehicle of control. Our fears have kept these corrupt people secure, and us, oppressed!
To see the change we desire, we must confront this addiction head-on. Real transformation will require a national reprogramming of the mind that replaces fear with boldness and courage. As Nelson Mandela wisely said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
To do so, I urge Nigerians to find that midpoint between boldness and fear, for, change will not come from a comfort zone, neither will it come without sacrifice. This is what Nepalese young people did in order to build the nation they want. We, too, must leverage the numbers equation and overcome fear with the ‘salvific’ courage to transform the Nigeria we want.
I will say it again, no amount of conferences, constitutional redraft, social media outcry, academic papers, internet write ups, and even restructuring will birth real change while we remain addicted to fear – for mere thinking will not overcome fear, but deliberate and strategic action will, and it may come with a risk.
What I know for sure is, at the core of Nigeria’s transformation is a game of courage, numbers and sacrifice. For as Mark Twain, Mandela, Roosevelt, and the Bible all remind us, fear dies the moment we face it. So, to well-meaning Nigerians I say, let’s confront our fears and overcome this national addiction!
