The written phrase has nice transformative energy. And so, for the longest time, I’ve maintained that studying and writing needs to be inspired and nurtured as a major a part of our social tradition. I might go on and on about why that’s necessary, nonetheless, what is evident would solely be higher for it, not worse off. In my final article, I made a case for why our billionaires ought to write books.
It turns into clear to the reader that it was not likely about billionaires, per se, or strictly a view that solely billionaires ought to write, however that we’re failing to copy “homegrown” successes at an considerable price as a result of those that have gone forward aren’t sharing with those who’re coming behind.
In fact, I recognize a number of the prevailing points, viz the studying tradition and the premium positioned on information amongst different society-specific considerations, however I believe the narrative will be radically modified with constant effort and collective dedication to recognise and prioritise schooling because the soul of our society. It’s plenty of work, sure, nevertheless it’s potential.
I made reference to my final article as a result of the nudge to put in writing it got here from a ebook. One of many factors I made was that we want “a extra indigenous mental fairness on the African expertise.”
This, in my opinion, must also apply to the expectation for Nigeria. I nonetheless keep that place. Maybe the query to ask is: if our folks don’t do it, who will? I bear in mind the dialog I had with Professor Akinjide Osuntokun on the topic. It was fairly spirited. And whereas he had an fascinating perspective on the entire concept, we’re aligned on the truth that it’s Nigerians that may get the job carried out for Nigeria; Africans for Africa. We have to encourage our folks to put in writing extra. It’s actually that easy.
I’ve given this background as a result of it units the tone for my focus immediately. The final article – “Our billionaires ought to write books” – was largely impressed by a ebook. This week, I made a decision to evaluate one. A couple of edits have been made to an earlier draft which I put collectively some weeks in the past.
I need to admit that by scripting this, I’ve fulfilled a promise I made to the co-authors of the ebook. However there’s an fascinating backstory I’m completely happy to recall right here. It was in September and a colleague, on the time, throughout a quick chat advised me about this ebook he was not too long ago gifted. Although he was not carried out studying, he thought it was a fantastic ebook and needed me to learn it. I obtained to it that very same day. Two days later, I met Rufai Oseni by likelihood. Effectively, that is the brief model of the way it went. There have been different nice in-betweens which had been purely windfall at work.Let’s get to it.
Nigerians: A Self-Organising Individuals is a undertaking dropped at life by a wealthy mixture of extremely achieved professionals in their very own proper, united by their curiosity in and information of a rustic that “refuses to fail.” The roll name: Andrew Nevin, Uma Kymal, Seyi Agbedana, Peter Nigel Cameron, Rufai Oseni and Joke Ajao.
The 240-page ebook is organised in three sections and 14 chapters; an association that permits for a scientific presentation of their concepts. Because the chapters aren’t attributed to any particular creator or co-authors, there’s room for the handy assumption that the authors labored collectively on the whole lot. Nonetheless, anybody conversant in the backgrounds of the authors might do effectively guessing who wrote what.
To begin with, the information. Chapter 1 (Nigeria: the State that Refuses to Fail) reintroduces Nigeria to the on a regular basis Nigerian; calling out transient however necessary descriptive options (historical past and socio-economic markings) that many Nigerians, curiously, might not be at dwelling with. The authors additionally introduce the ‘Self-organising’ idea which is explored to various levels all through the ebook.
Of their estimation, “a self-organising system is one which features effectively outdoors of presidency or incentive. In self-organisation, individuals take initiative, make plans and work initiatives and interventions in spheres of dwelling with out recourse to central authorities assist.” There’s a body through which this conceptualisation tells the story of Nigeria that Nigerians have to return to phrases with.
Whereas Chapter one explores what self-organising is, Chapter two explains what it isn’t. In Chapter three (Tough Information: Difficult the Statistics,) the authors run us by way of the numbers, which of their estimation, are sometimes blown out by third-party pursuits to color a extra extreme image of the fact ‘on the bottom.’
In Part two (A Self-organising Individuals: Our Tales), which is basically the core of the ebook, the authors carry to life the credentials of Nigerians as ‘self-organising’ folks with the tales of efforts made in important sectors resembling schooling (chapter 4), contributions of The Nigerians Diaspora (Chapter 5) Governance (Chapter six), Power (Chapter seven), Healthcare (Chapter eight), Fashionable expertise (Chapter 9), Leisure (Chapter 10), Conventional Manufacturing (Chapter 11,) and Safety (Chapter 12).
The tales, that are basically proof, level towards a way of group, shared imaginative and prescient and resilience of the Nigerian spirit to pursue a ardour towards all odds. ‘Towards all odds’ might have simply been one other title for the ebook. In making the purpose that the ‘self-organising’ characterisation will not be a uniquely Nigerian phenomenon, the authors devoted Chapter 13 to giving an inventory of success tales elsewhere all over the world.
The final part (Part three: Conclusion) of the ebook closes the curtain however opens one other window into a serious hole. For instance, whereas the authors make the case for Nigeria’s self-organising as a energy, in addition they underscore that “Nigeria will surely be higher off if the governance had been stronger; if the social contract between the ruled and the federal government was unequivocally honoured, in order that what all sides offers and will get had been extra balanced; and Nigerians might depend on the general public sector of their occasions of biggest want.”
This concept boils all the way down to the query of management and governance within the public area. There’s solely a lot that may be carried out throughout the confines of a dysfunctional system. The ebook acknowledges that a lot.
There’s a level that must be made. The energy of the core of this ebook lies within the case research, or higher nonetheless, the arduous proof of actual Nigerians driving actual change throughout completely different sectors regardless of the much-documented in addition to the unstated constraints.
It makes for a relatable tracing of what has been and what will be irrespective of what’s, within the context of brave Nigerians making a bubble of change indigenously; and including color to the Nigerian expertise. To my thoughts, Nigerians: A Self-Organising Individuals is a ebook for Nigerians, written by those that comprehend it effectively sufficient to profile its folks and undertaking its potential. The authors aren’t all Nigerians. Nonetheless, there isn’t a doubt that they’re one among us.
In driving their factors dwelling, the authors adopted the central concept of Nassim Taleb’s idea of “Antifragility” which posits that “some issues profit from shocks; they thrive and develop when uncovered to volatility, randomness, dysfunction and stressors, and love journey, danger, and uncertainty.” This means, in our personal case, that some type of chaos or disruption is required for us to repeatedly keep afloat. That’s extremely debatable.
I anticipate that the authors will think about a sequel to the ebook. Some work has begun with the numerous exertions that culminated on this ebook. I don’t suppose that work can be completed in print, however carried on by the change that it evokes. I hope that will rely for one thing.
Akinnuga is Govt Director, The Adeyinka Adesope Basis (TAAF.)
