There is no gainsaying the fact that we are in a season of anomie in Nigeria. The country is being buffeted by insecurity of diverse ilk – kidnapping, armed robbery, ritual murder, arson, etcetera. The cost of living crisis has made my compatriots to turn beggar. What has kept many alive is hope of a better tomorrow. Life has thrown lemons to many Nigerians and rather than sulk in self-pity, they decided to make lemonade out of it.
Today, on this page, I want to celebrate the Nigerians indomitable spirit. Their never-say-die attitude to problem solving. Yes, the situation is bad and in fact terrible, but agonising over it is never going to make the situation better. It’s this understanding that have made many Nigerians to embark on voyage of discovery. Look at Nigerian multi-billion-dollar entertainment industry. Thespians like Chief Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Ola Omonitan, Akin Ogungbe, Tunbosun Odunsi, Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love) and Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala) played a pioneering role before it metamorphosed into Nollywood in the 90s with Igbo actors and actresses dominating the scene. Actos like Zack Orji, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Liz Benson, Onyeka Onwenu, Sandra Achums, Ini Edo, Ramsey Nouah, Segun Arinze, Larry Coldsweat, and many others dominated the early stage of the Nollywood film industry. After Nollywood comes Kannywood strictly for the Hausa / Fulani actors and actresses.
The pioneering role of comedians like Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome better name by his moniker ‘Ali Baba’, Bright Okpocha a.k.a Basketmouth, Ayo Makun better known as AY, Lepacious Bose, Teju ‘Babayface’ Oyelakin, Bovi and I go dye to mention a few have paved way for skit economy which is now a money spinner. Whereas stand-up comedy is like a close circuit where only few have opportunity to thrive, the skit industry has afforded many talented comics to exhibit their craft and make money by just shooting a short video, some as little as 30 seconds which they post on their Instagram or YouTube page or platform and if the video is deemed very funny or creative it gets shared by their followers. Once the video is able to trend and garner thousands and millions of viewership the content creator gets to make money through clicks, adverts, endorsements and branding opportunities. Through skit-making alone many young millionaires have emerged.
A cursory look at Nigeria’s music industry showed that the century old sector has transformed to money spinner to young talented musicians. Nigerians contributed immensely to the growth of ‘highlife’ music with musicians like Oliver De Coque, Chief Osita Osadebey, Dr. Victor Olaiya, Tunde Nightingale and Adeolu Akinsanya better known as ‘Baba Eto’ contributing immensely to the growth of that genre of music. Fela Anikulapo Kuti innovated his own musical brand as Afrobeat and made a huge success of his craft. He was a global icon and his children, Femi and Seun are keeping the Afrobeat torch aloft. King Sunny Ade and Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey played a pioneering role in birthing Juju Music same way as Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Gen. Kollington Ayinla midwifed the birth of Fuji music.
In contemporary times, singers like Davido, Whizkid, Burna Boy, Olamide, Asake, Rema, Simi, Teni, Ayra Star, P Square, Tu Face, and a host of others have put Nigeria on a world map through their music. Burna Boy and WhizKid have even won Grammy Awards for themselves. These youngsters have become role models for Nigerian youths. These ambassadors have shown that something good can still come out of Nigeria’s ‘nazareth’.
In saluting the Nigerians indomitable spirit, I appreciate the resilience and excellence of Nigeria’s sportsmen and women who have done themselves and the nation proud. People like Anthony Joshua who is a two-time world champion in boxing, Israel Adesanya better known as ‘Stylebender’ who is a world champion in Mix-Martial Art, Victor Osimhen who is the current African Footballer of the Year, and Asisat Oshoala who is the current African Women’s Footballer of the Year (a titled she has won a record six time). Deserving mention are Nigerians like Tobi Amusan who is a world title holder in 100-meter Hurdle. Another inspiring Nigerian youth is Coach Rena Wakama who was awarded the Best Coach of the tournament by FIBA for guiding the Nigerian D’Tigress Basketball team to a historic outing at the just concluded Paris 2024 Olympics.
Kudos to Nigerian students who in spite of hunger and deprivation are determined to soldier on to complete their studies. Salute to Nigerian gallant soldiers and policemen who dare the assault of the bandits and criminal elements in our society to keep the rest of us safe. Hundreds of them have been maimed while many others have paid the supreme price with their lives, yet they remain undaunted and undeterred by taking the battle to the enemies’ territory.
Mothers who engage in genuine hustle to feed the family. Those who do not mind engaging in tedious tasks and menial jobs in as much as it is honest labour deserve accolades for not giving up despite the prevalent hardship in the land. Many of these women sell off their personal belongings to see their children and wards through school. They go hungry so that their children could have food to eat. They are the ones Prince Nico Mbarga referred to in his classic song as ‘Sweet Mother’.
I doff my cap for men who hustle to feed, clothe and provide shelter for their households. Against all odds, these fathers cater to the needs of their immediate and extended families. They sometimes do multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. They sacrifice their own comfort and convenience just so that their family will not suffer.
While most Nigerians are good and resilient, there is still a significant number who engage in crime and criminality. They are in the minority but their evil actions gives the country a bad image of being a den of scammers and criminals. Criminals exist in every clime and it is wrong to use the negative activities of this minority to characterise a country of over 200 million people.
A note of warning to government officials, especially our elected leaders. While it is true that Nigerians have an indomitable spirit and generally hardworking. Our leaders will be mistaken to think we are weak and docile. Nigerians tolerance level for hardship is waning fast and there is need to provide the enabling environment for the populace to live a decent life. The extant rising cost of living is a bad omen and the nation needs to be pulled back from the precipice of despondency. If that is not done early enough, popular anger can make the citizens to become rebellious.
X: @jideojong
