What is the definition of a failed state? Is Nigeria a failed state?
This is a question put forward by Imnakoya...grandioseparlor as it relates to another post by African Shirt...
I'm going to rephrase this question thus: Has Nigeria as a nation, failed? I am positive that, if you put this question before millions of Nigerians(aside from the ruling class and an isolated few) the answer would be...YES!
What would any 'reasonable' citizen regard as failure in respect of governance?
Failure as it relates to the governance of a state would mean any of the following:
1.The condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends...
2.The condition or fact of being insufficient or falling short...
3.A cessation of proper functioning or performance...
4.Nonperformance of what is requested or expected...
Now, if you look at the above definitions of failure properly, most people would agree that no.3...(i.e, a cessation of proper functioning or performance) and no.4.(.i.e, nonperformance of what is requested or expected) best describe the present and past state of Nigeria as a Nation.
Is Nigeria a failed state? YES!
What are the basic things that the citizens expect from the ruling class?
a)...Security: Security of lives and property. Would anyone assert that Nigerians are secured?
b)...Employment: As resourceful as the citizens are, the unemployment rate is very very high. Apart from the privileged few who are lucky to be employed, majority of the masses are barely existing... Check this out ....and this too...
c)...Free and Fair Elections: Does anyone want me to say anything here?
That is the succinct report sheet of Nigeria. Brief as it is, the sheet encapsulate the utter failure of this state...
Scratch your head, twist and turn as you wish...these facts on ground can not be wished away by high sounding words or logic.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Has Nigeria As a Nation Failed...?
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4 comments:
I'm partly nigerian and i feel the pain like all nigerians. yes, the country has disappointed the people.
in spite of the fact that u didn't list the eractic electricity supply, nonexistent roads, healthcare and schools,the report card still look extremely bleak.
Unfortunately, this topic would not receive objective analysis.
For many, as long as they can make ends meet, survive and muddle through, Nigeria is not a failed state because of the hope of getting an exploitable opportunity.
Worse still as I have written many times before, we are satisfied with low expectations and everything else is OK as long as the people are trying rather than doing things properly.
Finally, we are in denial, even if it came down to the last Nigerian standing, it is likely that person would say Nigeria is not a failed state and be on their knees praying rather than getting up and doing something God can bless.
Too much religion, too much optimism and too much a quest for personal enrichment regardless of others and too little realism helps make Nigeria a seriously failed state.
I live in Paris-France & I have just witness the French vote.
Why can't Nigerians be like other nationals of the world?
the answer is yes. Nigeria as a nation has failed & has also failed its people. The elections just showed how bad our country is. I would like to bet that Yar'adua will win the elections. Y? because of vote rigging! Thank you Obasanjo
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