If you came here from @thenetworkstory let’s get right to it. If you didn’t thanks for stopping by.
Q- Your book; Who Can or Will Save Nigeria, is gaining traction with the reading populace. What was your inspiration for writing this book?
A-Desire for a better Nigeria. A Nigeria that we all can be proud of. Which is doable, if we can redirect our attention–away from bitching about the problems and in lieu focus our energies on the solutions. In other words, ‘we’ the people take the bull by the horns that is, take pre-emptive steps alongside the proffered solutions.
Q- Would you consider this book a ‘lamentation’ or a ‘solution’ literature?
A- I like that you asked. Not only are solutions proffered in my book but how and exactly what needs to happen to change Nigeria’s trajectory is also extensively discussed. Until the most talented individuals who understand statecraft take reign of Nigeria nothing will change and this is the specific message of chapter seven of my book.
Q- Nigeria elected a new President just over six months ago, and the economy appears to be strangulated since then – with many Nigerians crying of hunger and lack. Do you think this new President is on the right track with his policies?
What policies? You mean the disjointed, convoluted declarations that are mashed together by the BAT administration? See, we live in extremely difficult times ergo speaking the truth must not terrify us. While It may be too early to make a judgement call on this administration, I have zero confidence that the socio-economic conditions of the average Nigerian will improve in any meaningful significant ways. Back to the question of policies. As far as I know governmental policies only work when they are well thought through and are anchored to a National Development Plan(NDP). So, I ask where is this administration’s NDP, does it have one or like it its predecessors it will just make one up as it goes along? Which incidentally is the hallmark of unpreparedness! And I bet you are familiar with that Management 101 mantra that ‘’those who fail to plan, plan to fail’’.
Besides an NDP, what is APC’s ideology? Political parties usually are to be formed upon a rallying ideal you know a shared value which then dictates or becomes the foci of all members. Furthermore, PBAT’s lack of fiscal discipline is reminiscent of a ruler who is out of touch with the reality of his constituents.
To make the BATist camp feel better. I know for a certainty (something have often opined and even posted on twitter) that Nigeria’s tenuous trajectory couldn’t change had any of the other candidates won, why? All of them including PBAT were primarily geared toward winning the election (ego trip) turning Nigeria around for better was secondary. Suffice to say none had a plan and it’s equally important to state that buzz bites should not be conflated with a plan. Talk is cheap anybody can talk. The social structures of the modern world are erected upon the competitive ideology of individualism–a metaphoric child borne out of capitalism. What greed is to unbridled capitalism is what selfishness is to individualism but let’s face it can anyone really live strictly for self and be happy? Not likely. Have you ever thought about why the world is spherical? I will tell you. It is so we can connect(not be isolated) and cooperate one with another that’s the natural order–cooperation not competition!
TALK IS CHEAP ACTION IS WORTHY
Q- In one of your posts on Twitter, you said, “The fierce, aggressive, hyper competition of the modern world has created an imbalance in our minds & bodies.” What does this really mean? And what is your solution to this?
A- Interestingly, this disturbing trend of fierce, hyper competition is discussed and weaves through chapters of my book.
Unbridled capitalism has unfortunately become the white elephant in the room. As it contributes significantly to much of the brokenness we see in the world today. The damning effect of capitalism which is, today, the dominant economic system can no longer be glossed over. Like it or not the hyper-competitive nature of capitalism has eroded family value structures and if the family is broken sadly society becomes sick.
My solution is pretty simple the promotion of cooperative ideals. And don’t think that is a weird utopian concept because it isn’t–Frankly, it was the way our ancestors were before the corruptible energies of patriarchy and competition impacted our thinking and cultural sensibilities. I bet you also have observed either in your professional and/or personal life that you reach your goals quicker and progress when you cooperate with others as opposed to when you compete with them.
Q- In another of your messages you said you’re on a mission to spread the message of Ubuntu. How far have you been able to achieve that?
A- Ubuntu means cooperation. It is a southern African concept. You can see I am highly vested in cooperative ideals. I won’t say I am there yet but as long as I don’t relent and continue to do my bit in my corner through the creation of video contents, writing essays, and books that evoke self-evaluation and critical thinking I hope to succeed in sowing seeds that will engender a harvest of cooperation among people of diverse cultures
Q- What are the most interesting hurdles an author has to face to become successful?
A- Nigeria is a pretty chaotic environment which makes the propagation of holistic philosophies a bit difficult. So, yes, that’s the hurdle, nudging folks away from status quo thinking toward a holistic philosophy is a darn massive hurdle.
Q- Are these hurdles part of the general challenges of book writing in Nigeria?
A- I imagine it is unless you are writing religions books or other pop culture literature (laughs)
Q- How profitable is book writing for you?
A- Hasn’t been profitable yet but I am not giving up writing!
Q- Apart from writing books, in what other areas do you have interests?
A- I create video contents where I share my opinions and thoughts on diverse subjects ranging from politics, economics, philosophy; particularly IFA teachings, general history and its linkage with the origin of Abrahamic religions and other topical issues.
Q- What do you have to say about Nigerians’ reading culture?
A- It is poor. Harsh but you know we mustn’t shy away from speaking the truth even if our voice will shake. Nigerians read mostly fiction. I think there is a need to expand our reading habits to include nonfiction books covering a wide range particularly those that cover: history, philosophy, politics, geopolitics, economics, astronomy and introductory level STEM books.
Q- How true is the notion that you are what you read? Do people really become what they read?
A- I would say yes because books influence us. You know books nourish the mind same way food nourishes the physical body. Books ergo have the capacity to shape our mind influencing our worldview. Personally, books have taught me far more than formal education did. Besides intuitive knowledge, that is, ‘’lakaaye’’ books and adversity have been my greatest teachers.
Q- What can a reader of your book; Who Can or Will Save Nigeria, become, or ‘unbecome’ then?
A- Become consciously charged enough to the point they see the solutions to solve Nigeria’s tumultuous difficulties and are willing to work with others to make Nigeria work. Let me add that, whichever side of the debate one belongs whether you are for dissolving the Nigerian enterprise or you are pro the continuity of the experiment we call Nigeria. Fixing the extant challenges is paramount.
Connect with author: Yetunde Makinde
Hardcopy available here
E-copy @Amazon & here
yeye
yeye is an agnostic pantheist who borrows a leaf from all known perennial wisdom traditions, a chela that drinks from the cups of wisdom presented by custodians of ancient traditions. She lives life on her terms.
