Reclaiming Nigeria, Bridging the Perception Gap
BY ANGELA GBEMISOLA ATTAH
Nigeria, a land of striking contrasts, where nature’s gifts intertwine with a vibrant cultural tapestry. From your Wikki warm springs to the breathtaking majestic Obudu Mountain Resort, from the ancient caves of Idanre Hill to the cozy interconnected chambers of the Ogbunike caves, this nation’s beauty knows no bounds. Home to over 200 million people, stretching from the Gulf of Guinea to the arid Sahel. With more than 500 different languages spoken and a shared rich cultural heritage.
Nigeria, of all the beauty and splendor that you exude, when I say I am yours, people cringe. When I declare, “I am Nigerian,” misconceptions abound. I grapple with stereotypes – seen as late, loud, aggressive, subpar, an illegal migrant, a fraudster, poor, uneducated and I appear to practice loud empty religion, which bears no fruit. But beneath these superficial labels lies a resilient spirit, a legacy of acclaimed authors, Nobel laureates, Afrobeat stars, sports protégés, leading specialists, hardworking, diligent, intelligent, and dedicated economic contributors. How did our identity become so tarnished? What can we do to recast the narrative?
The African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” underscores the collective responsibility and communal care necessary for proper upbringing. Within this proverbial “village,” which includes family, neighbors, and friends, everyone plays a role in shaping children’s behaviors, attitudes, and choices. Shared values bind the community together, fostering a sense of mutual responsibility. At the heart of this model lies the assumption that everyone genuinely cares about the child’s well-being and is aligned on what is right, acceptable, and decent. It also presupposes a shared understanding of what is wrong. Elders, as custodians of wisdom, deserve respect. The youth are encouraged to greet them, absorb their insight, and learn from their experiences.
However, our streets today reveal a stark contrast. Instances of fraud, glorification of indecency and the pursuit of ill-gotten wealth are rife. It seems our values, history, self-worth, and national pride have not transcended generations. The village that once raised children now finds itself fragmented. However, it is imperative that the village reunites to ensure that moral standards are realigned and maintained. What is inherently wrong remains so; thus, we must collectively advocate for truth, fairness, integrity, decency, accountability, diligence, respect, and adherence to the law. Our foremost priority should be the preservation and promotion of these values. Let us reclaim our role as a village that nurtures resilient, compassionate, and morally grounded children.
What more led to the erosion of values? Perhaps it’s the false narrative that foreign ideals are superior. Or maybe it’s our failure to document and share our own history. As examples, what do we know about the Great Wall of Benin, a monumental feat of engineering, which is recorded as the second-largest man-made structure by length and was built between 800AD and 1460AD in what is now Edo State? Or what is recorded and taught of the superiority of the indigenous technology of production within the leather industry in Kano in the 19th century and its significance to trans-Saharan trade? To preserve our values, we must learn about our history, tell our unique stories, sing our soulful songs, and embrace our exceptional heritage.
Our heritage will thrive when we support local initiatives, celebrate our achievements, and patronize homegrown products. It expands when we develop a taste for locally produced items and actively promote local manufacturing, no matter what their scale is. Producing, wearing, and promoting traditional textiles like adire and aso-oke, exploring our native landscapes and investing in the preservation of local historical sites are additional ways of fortifying our cultural identity. For instance, Kenya’s growth is significantly attributed to its domestic coffee and tea industries, and the populace’s recognition and patronage of these homegrown commodities. Let us adopt a culture of “Buy Local.”
During my childhood, linguistic diversity was a given; my friends and I effortlessly switched between languages. I spoke Yoruba – my mother tongue, Hausa – the language of my birthplace and first nanny, and English – the language of my education. I even dabbled in a few other languages, acquiring a functional grasp. My father, too, is multilingual: he speaks Hausa – the language of his birthplace, Yoruba – his mother tongue, Igbo – the language of the Owerri neighbors with whom he grew up, English – the language of his education and French. However, times have changed.
Today, my children primarily speak English, and our common excuse is that their father and I do not share the same language. Yet, when I reflect on my own childhood, I realize that children from mixed backgrounds had the privilege of speaking even more languages. Speaking various languages improves cross-cultural understanding, broadens our perspectives, and increases our adaptability. It is through indigenous languages that we transmit cultural values and fully exercise our rights and human dignity. Therefore, teaching our children local languages is not just about linguistic proficiency but also about restoring the dignity and the integrity of our heritage.
In our interconnected world, where globalization blurs borders, distinct patterns of our local cultures remain pivotal. These unique strands not only shape our perceptions but also impact on our shared future. Considering our present circumstances, prioritizing national re-orientation becomes imperative, and it must extend across the entire nation. We cannot rely solely on institutions like the National Orientation Agency, which has made limited progress in reshaping our mindset. Instead, we must take ownership of our identity. Loving ourselves and embracing with pride, our heritage are essential steps. The biblical injunction to “love your neighbor as yourself” presupposes self-love as a foundation. Our perceptions of fellow citizens need improvement. Rather than favoring foreigners, we must extend the hand of opportunity to our brethren.
As a collective, we should uphold excellence as our benchmark, seizing opportunities when they arise and giving our best effort. The seeds of re-orientation are sown at home, nurtured by the conversations we engage in, the standards we esteem, the rules we set, and the examples we provide for our young ones. Our places of worship, too, play a vital role. Let us preach holiness, purity, kindness, gentleness, and love, rather than fixating on material wealth and personal breakthroughs. In our schools, values should prevail over pressure. We must stand firm against unruly behavior and undue influence, whether from students or parents. And finally, the Government must provide an enabling, secure, and safe environment for local industries to grow. It must promote and patronize indigenous products with the “Buy Local” mantra. Together, through deliberate re-orientation, we can reclaim our national values and forge a brighter future.
While Nigeria, like any other nation, has its share of unscrupulous individuals, we must not allow them to define our collective identity. After all, which country is completely free from imperfections? Our narrative should not be confined to our challenges but should highlight our strengths, creativity, and potential. By focusing on virtues, we can reshape perceptions both within and outside our borders. The journey toward positive change may be steep, but it is a path we can tread together. Let our actions, innovations, and shared commitment to excellence positively recast the global narrative of Nigerians.
ANGELA GBEMISOLA ATTAH An economist and strategy consultant with over two decades of practice, Attah is CEO of the Sandust Tincan Water Project, a pivotal public-private partnership aimed at overhauling the water treatment infrastructure at the Lagos ports. She is also chairman of the boards of Simplified Credit Ltd and Royal Family Academy and a Partner at AGPartnerships where she drives strategic growth and innovation.
