End of the year and beginning of a new one are moments of despair and hope. Despair because of tragedies, failures and all other bad experiences of the ending year.
New year resolutions are becoming more idealistic. The chaos that pervades life these days makes a plan and seeing it through more difficult. But there is hope; bearing in mind the fact that one could possibly have another brand new year in which one can be more firm, organized and decisive so that the in-coming year may be better than the one currently in its last days.
As human beings we always have to forgive ourselves for things we could not achieve in 12 months because, in many cases, with many goals we set, we control only a few of the forces that make things possible. But there are some goals we can set for ourselves with the comfort that we are, at least, in control of majority of the forces of possibility. One of such of goals is reading – reading books; as many as possible. Whenever one mentions reading, the big question is; where is the time to read? For some, this is an honest concern, justifiable because life in Nigeria and many other places on earth is so unpredictable, littered with so many distractions. But many use the ‘i don’t have time’ gimmick to dismiss the importance of devoting time to reading and engage in inward debate with your thoughts. Apart from learning, reading presents you with many possibilities; self-development and better understanding of your world.
What type of books to read is another topic worthy of another long essay. But choosing what to read should always be left to the reader to decide. Many factors, including the motivation for reading and access to books determine an individual’s choice. But brighter minds and greater ideas come naturally to those whose reading is as wide and ‘liberal’ as possible. Reading at least four books in a year can be possible. Some read one book every week, others one book every month. Even if one can only read one book in a year, it is still an achievement. There are books that speak to our time or speak to the past – and can help us in understanding our world. Here is my suggestion:
The Enigma of Reason by Hugo Mercier & Dan Sperber: This book explains, among other things why human beings deny facts. We are in the season of denial. Shame had taken a leave. Many people are no longer ashamed of denying facts. And they always have their reasons. The truth, according to some people is only what comes from them or things they agree or identify with. Reason exclusively given to human beings is not entirely always supported by honesty, fairness and justice. Reason can also be described as that instrument used by human beings to confirm their fears, suspicions and beliefs. We expect reason to help us make better decisions. But that is not always the case because we are daily confronted by the nonsense spewed by people who believe they are reasonable. We come across many bits of nonsense everyday disguised as wise move or visionary leadership. Even logic, as complex as it is, has limitations. Reading this book will help one understand that reason does not necessarily mean being right.
Shehu Shagari: Biography of Nigeria’s First Executive President by Okion Ojigbo; This is an old book published in 1982. As democracy continuous to evolve in Nigeria, reading this book can help one to understand dynamics of power in this country. Shehu Shagari is one of the best leaders Nigeria ever had. He conducted himself with humility and honesty. He treated his opponents with dignity. The book also brings out the wide gap between politics then and now. In those days political parties are very powerful and they are indeed institutions. Not like now that political parties are like some beggarly outlets, at the mercy of he who has the cash. Shehu Shagari was far ahead of his time. He nominated a woman from Southeast to be his Vice President, but the woman had to turn down the offer because; ‘her people will not accept a woman in such a position.’ It is from this book that one could learn that NNPC was and is always at the centre of scandal of missing funds. It happened immediately Shagari became president. The way the controversy was handled is a lesson in how Nigeria has not changed from 1980’s to date. Are there godfathers in Nigerian politics in those days? Yes, there were.
Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi Wa Thing’o: Have you ever have an idea of how a dictator thinks? Have you ever imagined what it feels like to have a ruler who believe he is everything? This novel by the famous African writer is outstanding in detailing with vivid imaginative language the reign of a ruler of a fictional republic. In the court of the ruler critics get eliminated. Newspapers and intellectuals are treated as enemies of the ruler. This ruler is so obsessed with his self-righteousness to the extent that he conducted himself with crude disdain for the truth. The main character only known as the ‘ruler’ sees even his own corrupt acts as some kind of patriotism. The novel is long and every character says a lot about how African leaders establish a parasitic system of patronage that enriches people from their clique, tribe or religion. And they see nothing wrong in every terrible thing they do on behalf of the people.
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive by Jared Diamond; There were times when one will wish Nigerian leaders are made to have this book as a compulsory reading. Jared Diamond used many narrative techniques in exploring the question; why some nations collapse and why some survive. Why and how nations fail should be a topic regularly discussed and reviewed by nations with the challenge of ethnic, religious and sectional sentiments. He used the example of Rwanda in pointing out that nations can face genocide or collapse not only because of ethnic hatred but because of competition for land, power and other resources. In many cases; both tribe and religion provided only the platform for the type of violence that can bring a whole country down. The author pointed out the impact of population size and environmental factors in the collapse or survival of a society. Size of population affects access to social services and land. How a nation handled the challenges of population rise and climate change determines its survival or possible collapse. It is not only leaders that should be interested in this book; citizens too should read it and understand that survival of a society is not automatic.Survival is determined by how both leaders and the people handle biggest challenges the society faces.
