Comments on: Trust no body – will the real Nigeria stand up.

By: Sokari

Sokari — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:24:41 +0000

@Tony – thanks. You are absolutely right – the BBC standard of reporting is atrocious and most definitely never independent. They get by through their name but personally I feel Al Jazeera is far more objective and brings more truth to their reports that the BBC – just think of the comparison between their reports on Israel’s invasion of Gaza and the uprisings in Iran. Yes the Niger Delta Solidarity group which is a pan-delta group and we need all the support we can get. I will send you details by email by tomorrow.

By: Tony Garner

Tony Garner — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:14:49 +0000

hallo there, I enjoyed reading your blog (found it via your posting of photos on the niger delta protests against shell in London). I’m actually Scottish and recently I’ve become very interested in Nigeria partly as it was in the news here due to the kidnapped oil workers. I’ve since read about Biafra, including Chimamnada Adichie’s excellent novel ‘half of a yellow sun’. What shocked me was the extremely biased reporting by the BBC, who basically don’t criticise the Nigerian government, and certainly have never questioned the morality of Britain’s continuing support for such a brutal regime. They like to see themselves as the free-est media in the world, but when you look at situations like this, it is completely hympocritical, and a dereliction of journalistic duty. But then the same thing happened in Biafra forty years ago, so we should not be surprised it continues now. What’s needed is more awareness of Nigeria’s legacy of injustice, in the same way there is for Palestine at the hands of Israel. Do you know of any groups in Britain aimed at pressuring the government to change its stance on Nigeria? I would like to join if there are any. As an English as a foreign language teacher I tried to do my bit last week, by showing my class an interview with Wole Soyinka and Ed Kashi on the Riz Khan programme. At least that’s twelve more people across Europe who know about the shameful situation. Keep up the blogging, I’ll come back to read more. I gave you a link to my own, which is actually a novel I’ve been working on set in Naples, Italy, where I lived a while. There is a Nigerian character, who probably I have not captured very well, but there you are – it’s not easy to write about someone from a cultural background you don’t really know. All best Tony
.-= Tony Garner´s last blog ..Chapter 10 =-.

By: Beauty

Beauty — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:29:22 +0000

The horrors of oil production in Nigeria will eventually catch up with those enjoying cheap oil. .-= Beauty´s last blog ..Obama in Ghana =-.

By: Sokari

Sokari — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:03:58 +0000

I heard somewhere very recently a comment that Nigerians had a high level of tolerance. Maybe we should begin to lower it and stop accepting second rate and lauding the “patch patch” mentality. But you are right – people are slowly changing just wish they would move a bit quicker – and then one has to factor in the “Lagos” factor which is far away from Minna or Calabar.

By: solomonsydelle

solomonsydelle — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:07:51 +0000

“This is so typical of Nigeria. I am in a grand compound, with a sense of decrepit grandeur on the surface. Yet inside so much is broken, unfinished or just done poorly.”

Wow. Much has been said about Nigeria by Nigerians and non Nigerians. But, the quote above will likely haunt me the most, especially if that remains the legacy left to my children.

Many countries have problems, and/or ‘weak bones’. When it comes to Nigeria, it almost seems like there is no head/leader to turn to on most things. We are all so busy doing our things with little focus on how we can collectively do big things together. At least this new #lightupnigeria campaign is doing something to help Nigerians demand electricity. But, even imagine that? Demanding electricity in the 21st century? In a country that powers the electricity of Ghana. When the lights go off in the homes of my family members in Cameroun, they shout ‘NEPA’ because Nigeria provides their electricity as well. But, please believe me when I say my family in Cameroun have better electricity supply that my family members in either of the following states – Calabar, Rivers, Abuja, Lagos.

Regardless of these realities, there is only one main concern – to get as many Nigerians aware of their rights as possible. That awareness could help diminish the complacency and helplessness far too many of us feel far too often. And that awareness, in conjunction with other things, can shift the trajectory of Nigeria and other countries on the continent. We all have to work together.

Thanks for sharing this, Sokari. As always, an enlightening and inspiring read.
.-= solomonsydelle´s last blog ..MEND ATTACK IN LAGOS =-.