My Thoughts On Boycotting Kaduna Book & Arts Festival (KABAFEST)

I am not a writer. I am not even sure I am a reader –and this is not just by being modest. What I am sure of, however, is that I am a conscious observer of my society, and the literary community –as a conscientious microsome of this society – is one of my endearing spaces. This is why I flirt with writers, creative works, and literary events. Kindly permit my "sonbolation" (the non-initiates should read nose-poking) into this family affairs.

All reasons outlined by the advocates of KabaFest boycott border on our shared humanity, and partly on the politics of exclusion which is the trademark of the CEO of Kaduna state –Mallam Nasir el-Rufai – and the government that is bankrolling the event. All humans –and this is the broader demography that encapsulates the writers – should frown at extrajudicial killings, politics of hatred and division, tacit support to criminal herdsmen, nepotism and prebendal politics. There is no debate here, at all.

 

KabaFest 2017

Where we disagree is: where, when and how do we engage a government that is accused of the afore-listed? A due attention to the pragmatism of 3Cs –consultation, consolidation and (before) confrontation, or a rabble-rousing and cyber-brigandage spearheaded by a narcissistic character that has axe to grind with El-Rufai, not necessarily because of the popular misdeeds of his government, but because of personal vendetta with literary figures that are his friends? At my age and education, I wouldn't be fighting your personal fights, as pawns –fuelled by cliques, camps and rivalries –under the disguise of a fight for a just social order. And we should get this clear. Very clear.

Before now, aside individual Facebook posts and random essays, did the concerned-writers-calling-for-boycott ever charge the publicly-known writers' organisation on the need of taking public stance against the Kaduna state government, or have they –under any of the popular adhoc pseudonyms – organized a united front to call Kaduna state to order? There are plethora of reasons that can be thrown for not doing this, and this suggests "god for all writers, all writers for themselves". 

Each and every writer for his or her soul, and the discharge of his act in accordance with his or her social principle. Those who strongly believe boycott it is for them should do, and those who differ should be allowed to live and be without hanging a pendant of treachery on them. This siege mentality contravenes the very tenet of sane society.

Because promotion of literature and literacy is highly supportive of a developed society, and more needed in the north of the Niger, I strongly support the literary event. But, the organisers should not lose sight of being the conscience of the society. The friends of our emperor governor among the literary community should call him to order, and the literary event should make a public stand on the state of the nation –specifically Kaduna state.

Secret Letter to Sheikh (Dr.) Isa Pantami

As-salaam alaykum WaRahmatuLlah WaBarakatuhu.

Dear blessed brother-in-Islam, Sheikh Pantami, 

Dr. Isa Pantami (Source: Dailypost.ng)

May the blessing of Allah, His protection and fortifying guidance be with you, always. 

It is with utmost excitement, and gratitude to almighty Allah, that I received the news of the remarkable Da’wah that you are spearheading at National Institute for Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and, just recently, pushed to the national frontier by inviting the Minister of Sport, Solomon Dalung, to Islam. 

I am happy, one, because it is rare in this present era to see a man who combines an intimidating resume of an astute academic –a university Professor for that matter –with that of a standing Islamic cleric. Many of our brothers have been lost to western civilization in the name of acquiring chain of degrees. Two, with our mutual blessed brother-in-Islam, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, as the Minister of Communication, and you as a Director General (DG) of an agency under his watch, our ultimate goal to islamize Nigeria is taking its form, with the Communication Ministry as a starting point and experimental laboratory. Three, you need to note that, by that single action of yours –a DG inviting a Minister to Islam, you have demonstrated an unrivalled courage and fearlessness known with our Caliph Umar (May Allah be pleased with him). You have sent a clear message that Muslims are audacious, and younger Muslims aspiring to become professionals and public officers have found an imitable gene in you. You have practically exhibited the practicability of the verses of Qur’an that instruct us to call to the path of Islam –the only way to salvation and eternal bliss. 

Allah says “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:104]. Also, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Convey from me even if it is (only) one aayah” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3461). 

Sheikh Pantami, do not mind the traducers –in the name of liberal Muslims or/and secularists –alleging you of crass insensitivity to the interfaith harmony that Minister Dalung’s historical visits to mosques symbolizes; either do not heed to those saying that, as a national figure and public official, common sense suggests that you should respect the plural nature of Nigeria religious community. Rather, tell them, it is your responsibility to shape Nigeria to conform with Islam, not conforming Islam to Nigeria dictates. This is the ultimate goal that will be achieved, whether President Buhari agrees to play his role, or not. 

My brother-in-Islam, kindly be assured of our unshakeable support and solidarity, and know, quite importantly, that the work is just starting. It has not even started. Your brothers in Islam, especially those of us keen on islamization of anything and everything, want you to start a weekly Muslim devotion in NITDA, and this is after you have personally called every non-Muslim working in your agency to Islam. They may not want to come to mosque, fearing possible ambush. But, in compliance with Quranic injunctions, which you have exemplified, they should be called to Islam in their respective offices. You do not need to make the weekly devotion compulsory, explicitly, but, knowing Nigerians with their legendary habit of courting favouritism, they will all come –to be in the good book of their boss. Any recalcitrant employee can be summarily queried for insubordination. After this we can move to the Buhari-led federal executive council. Isn’t is despicable that, Nigeria –a member of Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) –has her FEC populated by non-Muslims? With the boldness and righteousness you have demonstrated, calling all the Ministers that are non-Muslims to Islam, and even preaching pristine Islam, as taught by our Medina scholars, to the Muslims among them, will not be insurmountable. 

Last on the radar will be the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo. You must personally call him to Islam, and implicitly teach the Sultan of Sokoto what is required of him as the leader of Nigerian Muslims. This is what we must do, and Allah’s help we sought!

Yours in faith,
Sheikh Abdu-Semiwiyu Hassan al-Ibadanwiy,
Dawah Backyard, Ibadan.

Ramadan 14, 1438AH.

Sunset At DAWN: A Tribute to Dipo Famakinwa

An Elephant –with capital ‘E’ –has slumped, fallen. A big-headed, long-tusked mammal has slept off like a mountainous hill. Dipo Famakinwa is the new initiate into the body of spirits. One of the cerebral fighters for the economic advancement of the Oduduwa descendants has joined the league of loitering sheep; the army of wandering reptiles. 

 

Late Dipo Famakinwa

 A complete gentleman, a diplomat par excellence, a developmental expert, a spirited mentor, an unassuming intellectual, a Great Ife alumnus, who, in a characteristic manner, was described –by one of my equally cerebral Egbon; Misbau AbdulLateef –as “one of the few VIP around that has no air of arrogance”. He taught us, among others, how to love your nation without hating others.

It was during one of the usual tense cyber intellectual engagements that our paths crossed. If my memory is in its rightful form, the public topical issue was what made the participatory organs in a federating system: the need or not for the existence of local governments. Again, if I do not have memory lapse, Uncle Dipo made a case, compelling as expected, against the usefulness and expediency of the much-touted local government. In all, this Oodua son represented a trademark of penetrating and statistics-laden expositions. We developed mutual love and respect since then. And, as a cultured man of Yoruba nation, with our well-known disarming disposition of respectfulness, I always call him “Egbon”, and he always call me “Aburo” –that I am.

Not unusual in back-and-forth exchanges and brick-bats in human (cyber) habitation, we found ourselves in opposing camps during the Hijab crisis in Osun state. While my Egbon believed the Muslims’ agitation was needless, and capable of straining the historical peace among the Oodua descendants, I believed the constitutional guarantee of people’s freedom to manifest their religion and belief must not be thwarted, not under the guise of maintaining peaceful co-existence. Despite our strong diverging opinion, he remained understanding, tolerant and persuasive –rare attributes among our public intellectuals, many who always exhibit bigger-than-head ego.

After the intellectual sparring, our relationship, though still virtual, grew larger and closer. Occasionally, especially after random public announcements of my academic and scholarly exploits, during my doctoral study, Egbon Dipo would “check me inbox”; ask of my well-being, and admonish me on the indispensability of pursuing excellence. He –on a self-imposed task of overseeing all Oodua descendants –would tell me the Yoruba nation is proud of me. These are practically, and literally, spirit-lifting words.

I would later meet him personally during an event in the corporate office of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN). It was one of the laudable projects of the development agency: Historical Conversations. We had the historical dinner, laced with archaeological condiments, served by Prof. Siyan Oyeweso. At first sight, Boda Dipo jumped at me, and we embraced tightly and warmly. 

“Semiu, mi o ri e” (Semiu, I didn’t see you)

“Mo ni ki program pa ri ni, kin t’owa kin yi” (I was waiting for the end of the program –before I come to you)

“How are you?”

“I am fine, sir. And I am very proud to see the works you and your team is doing here. We are very proud of you, sir”

These were our exchanges, in the usual Yoruba cultural nuances and its associated gesticulations and body mannerism. We took photographs, had brief chit-chat, as I eye-marveled around, smelling the ambience of minimalist decorative but corporate interior of the DAWN’s office situated at the historic Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan.

While saying “good bye”, he gave me his card, drew me closer, and whispered: “Semiu, e ma de bi yi oo. Eyin l’eni DAWN” (Semiu, don’t be far from here. You (apparently referring to all sons and daughters of the Yoruba nation) own DAWN).

Regrettably, I will not be seeing him again –not in the physical anymore! The sun has set at dawn. The sun has set in Development Agenda for Western Nigeria –DAWN. A sun must rise, again, and that must stay till dusk.

Till we reunite under the mystic canopy of Orunmila, continue to dine and wine with all the available in heaven. 

Sleep well, brother!!

 

Reviewing Acemoglu and Robinson’s “Why Nations Fail”

“Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power,Prosperity, and Poverty”, authored by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson, is a compendium of historical facts and figures, synthesized with developmental economic analysis that crossed centuries, to boldly answer the question: Why Nations fail? The seminal book, published in 2012 by Crown Business, United States of America, is a product of 15 years rigorous research that examined geography, culture, ignorance, and institution as hypothetical causes of poverty, or prosperity, as the case may be. Daron and James, unapologetically, dismissed geography, culture, and ignorance as absolute explainers of poverty and prosperity. In the 529-page book, economic and political institutions –inclusive and extractive– are posited as the absolute causes. The inclusive institutions ensure equitable economic and political rights for citizens, engender creative destruction, and subsequently, engineer prosperity. On the opposite, extractive institutions concentrate commonwealth and public treasury in the hands of few political elites and their business allies. 

European Colonization Factor for African Extractive Institutions

Sweeping through history, “Why Nations Fail” chronicles events and its associated critical junctures that shaped most Africa nations’ extractive economic and political institutions. These poverty-generating institutions are subsequently maintained by successive African leaders because they serve their corrupt and greedy whims, also. Daron and Robinson referenced the 1885 Berlin Conference, themed “Scramble for Africa”, as the strategic front that hatched the European desire to politically disintegrate Africa, install absolutist order to extract economic gains, at the detriment of the citizenry. To achieve this, war –facilitating sales of guns and arms, dictatorship, and dual economy (as propounded by Lewis Arthur, is a theory that supports disparate and opposite economic and political configuration for the privileged and less-privileged within the same geographical space. This is the experience in South Africa of different economic experience by the White and the Black) are adopted instrumentalities, according to Daron and Robinson. This unfortunate epoch –colonialism– was responsible for Africa’s miss of the industrial revolution phase –the phase that firstly and fundamentally pushed world on the path of prosperity. Though unintentionally, Daron and Robinson reawaken the Pan-African revolutionary spirit of Walter Rodney, immortalized on the pages of “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”, through their graphic account of European invasion of Africa.

The Critical Junctures

Unlike most Africa nations, countries that were hitherto absolutist and with extractive economic and political institutions later experienced critical junctures that redirected their economic paths, “Why Nations Fail” recalls. It cited the French Army and Napoleon in France, the fall of the Ottoman Empire during the Frist World War, the Black Death Revolution of England, the 1830 Okubo Toshinmichi of Japanese Samurai, amongst others, as typical radical junctures that birthed a new and modern respective societies of economic prosperity. Daron and Robinson acknowledged that, even though majority was bloody revolutions, there were records of not-too-violent political system changes like the overthrown of Maoism in China, and the economic rise of Singapore and South Korea through subtle political leadership change.

Labels Do Not Matter

Historical accounts of sociopolitical and economic epochs of nations narrated by Daron and Robinson in “Why Nations Fail” revealed that ideological labels of economic persuasion –capitalist and socialists –do not matter. As the book showed, there is equal tendency for both capitalist and socialist economies to become extractive, and thus result in economic retrogression. “Why Nations Fail” buttresses this with experiences from “the rise of Robber Barons and their monopoly trusts in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries”, and submitted that “Markets, left to their own devices, can be ceased to be inclusive, becoming increasingly dominated by economically and politically powerful”.

In the same light, the much-taunted Lenin’s Bolshevik revolution, the Laurent Kabila and Mobutu of Congo, the Derg Marxists of Ethiopia, the Khmer Rouge of Cambodia, Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and Karimov of Uzbekistan, according to “Why Nations Fail”, are examples of supposed equality-assured economic architectures –based on the popular Marxian rhetoric that were used for their power grabs –that became brutally reprehensive, and supported elites’ control of the public treasury. This, has it finally showed, caused the unsustainability of the few recorded economic growth, and eventual degeneration into economic abyss.

Nevertheless, Daron and Robinson’s preference of market economy is unmistakable, as instructive with: “Inclusive economic institutions require not just markets, but inclusive markets that create a level playing field and economic opportunities for the majority of the people. Widespread monopoly, backed by political power of the elite contradicts this.”  Daron and Robinson believe a market economy with no cartel, cabal, and crony gang that subvert state apparatus and institution for the advantage of few business elites and political collaborators is the only path to sustainable economic growth and human development.

In the end

Without mincing words, “Why Nations Fail” brilliantly cut a space for itself through the sheer hard work of the duo of Daron and Robinson. The book can be safely placed side-by-side, though with different theme and research objective, with Paul Collier’s “The Bottom Billion”, and Dambisa Moyo’s “Dead Aid”, in the collection of seminal books on developmental economics.