A TRIBUTE TO CHINUA ACHEBE
The Nigerian problems that you, oh Achebe, were so worried about, yet expressed with optimism, are now worst than ever before.

Nigerian leaders are still unwilling to rise to responsibility and to personal example. In fact they are now very proud of their poverty of leadership.

The tribalism that you lamented so much about is now decorated and sulted with a much more danger: religion with its concomitant descriminations and divides.

You belived that Nigeria was a country. But did you know? Its leaders don't believe that it is a country at all. They never govern it as a country is governed. They are now extremely parochial and selfish; patriotism is a taboo in Nigeria.

You lamented that "indiscipline pervades our life so completely....that one may be justified in calling it the condition par excellence of...Nigerian society". Of course, now it is the excellent lifestyle in Nigeria; discipline is nowadays seen as a sign of weakness.

Now the country you left behind is not just corrupt, but fantastically corrupt. However, if one dare say that Nigeria is corrupt he will be either called a fool or someone without faith; unlike in your days when you blatantly said that "anybody who can say that corruption in Nigeria has not yet become alarming is either a fool, a crook or else does not live in this country", no one tolerates such critical statement nowadays in Nigeria. Citizens have accepted corruption as a part of Nigerian heritage so much that anyone who speaks against corruption in Nigeria is seen as someone who is psychologically corrupt instead.

You knew how we portayed "false image of ourselves" in Nigeria. in fact, that has entered another worrisome stage. It is one of the most acceptable characteristics one must possess to be taken seriously in this country. No criticism is welcomed even by 'ordinay Nigerians'; they tell you to pretend that all is well, and accept everything in faith in the name of "remain positive, prayerful and put faith in your country, and never criticize your country."

We miss you, oh Achebe! Last Thurday marked the sixth year you left us, and now Nigeria is a "shithole country". The country has failed two fold than it ever did in your generation. And now everybody has joined in dancing to the new deplomatic song by the West titled "Political Correctness". Could you imagine that the Wole Soyinka whom you so much respected was seen dancing eulogically to the rhythm of an incompetent leadership because of "June 12" (a trivial thing that does not contribute anything to national development)?

Achebe, we want you to come back to tell Nigerians as you did before that "Nigeria is not a great country. It is one of the most disorderly nations in the world. It is one of the most corrupt , insensitive, inefficient places under the sun....one of those that give least value for money. It is dirty, callous, noisy, ostentatious, dishonest and vulgar. In short, it is among the most unpleasant places on earth."

Please, come back, prophet Achebe and tell Nigerians more about their shameless and callous ineptitude!

By
Olohy Ejembi
ej.olohiuj@gmail.com