Death of a Myth: Critical Essays on Nigeria

"The twenty-five chapters of Femi Ojo-Ade's Death of a Myth: Critical Essays on Nigeria address various issues concerning the geo-political construct called the Nigerian nation. These include the much ballyhooed notion of democracy, the roles of the military and the politicians, the supporting cast of academic pundits, and administrative lackeys, all allies in the bastardization of a bountiful land, and the convoluted configurations of ethnicity, in a country where the rulers insist upon reconciling irreconcilables. Other topics covered are religion, a major factor in a constitutionally secular state, and the lives and times of leaders, such as Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe, decisive markers along the torturous road of ethnicity. The author also focuses his attention on sports, an emerging symbol of oneness and progress, and index of a people's irresponsibility and their misplaced priorities. Finally he looks at the country's devastated education system, symptom of a nation mired in corruption and decay; and significantly, the characters of Abacha and Abiola, two symbols of the madness and myth called Nigeria." In order to place the country in the context of Africa and the Diaspora, Ojo-Ade, in a style filled with dark humor, pungency and perspicacity, contemplates attitudes and actions in other countries, such as the United States and Brazil, where a Nigeria committed to playing the role of a real giant, and an authentic repository of African cultures, could contribute to the cause of the yet-to-be-fulfilled Diaspora Africans. This book is a must read for a full understanding and appreciation of the Nigerian dilemma.


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