Friday, 18 October 2013
THE PROPOSED SOVEREIGN NATIONAL CONFERENCE (SNC): AN ANTIDOTE FOR SOLVING NIGERIAN TRIBAL CRISIS. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him.”
-Leo Tolstoy
The subject of Sovereign National Crisis (SNC) introduced by President Goodluck Jonathan's government has been controversial since the matter was raised few weeks ago. This action was first opposed by the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and supported by Dokubo-led MEND. The argument has been that we don’t need to have another conference since we have representatives at the National Assembly.
To me, it's simply an ignorant and selfish assumption. It's disheartening to see how the likes of Asiwaju Tinubu and others play politics with national issues. They should know when to play politics and when not to. The horrific killings going on in some parts of the country almost on daily basis, should stop being a political plaything.
I had written earlier that Nigeria is an association of many 'nations' with different interpretations of what Nigeria is to them. Lord Luggard put dogs and cats in same cage and expected nothing but peace! Cat wants rats; dog wants bones. North wants power; South wants resources control yet West hates violence but loves to rule..
With all the political scientists we have in our midst, people forget that what we are practising is what can be called indirect democracy. Indirect democracy in the sense that proprietary right over people’s sovereignty is delegated to people we elect to make laws for us. When it comes to making constitutional reforms or constitution making, you go to what is called direct democracy. Direct democracy means direct voting by the people in the form of a referendum and that is why the universal practice is that a constitution making process that does not go through a constituent assembly, whose decisions are approved by a referendum, is null and void. A practical example can be seen in South Sudan whose creation resulted from a referendum.
How is it that Nigerians do not understand that for a constitution to be legitimate, it has to be driven by the people, and the people are usually represented by a constituent assembly? This constituent assembly is usually made up of non-partisan politicians, because partisan politicians are only concerned with the next election. Posterity or long-term issues relating to the country are never priority of partisan politicians. In essence, constitution which outlives people and a generation should be driven by civil society, collection of every nationality in the country and clerics.
It is only in our land we oppose right actions because they are from opposition party. For constitution to be workable, it must depicts the yearning of the people in every class of the society.
I think, if the young met no history, he would have known folktales and snippets yet folktale is the father of history!
An African proverb says we cannot shave a man's head in his absence.
Sunday, 29 September 2013
LESSON FROM RUQAYAT RUFAI'S SACK. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
It's no longer new that what people preached ended up far from what they do when they get into public offices. We have heard about a serving Minister who was not only a former vibrant students' leader, but led a strong protest against the excesses of the then President and equally agitated against the removal of oil subsidy. About 23 years after, same man was made a Minister of the Federal Republic and he was quoted to have said, "the removal of oil subsidy is long overdue!"
Of course, his comments shocked many people especially his former comrades but fact is, man's real intent cannot be hid forever.
The most saddening one, is the story of Nigeria's Minister of Education who was sacked alongside about nine others. The sacked Education Minister, Ruqqayatu Rufai for over 97 days of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike had the opportunity of resolving the crisis but she played the Ostrich.
When asked of her next move after her dismissal, she was quoted as saying, "naturally, i am returning back to my constituency (Bayero University) to continue teaching.. "
What a life! What goes around comes around. How would she face her former colleagues when she resumes? Would she also remain at home till the ASUU crisis is resolved? Would she also benefit from the same largess she refused to sign if approved by the FG?
Still, there are people who would argue, 'she's only a Minister, what power does she have?' Fact is, she has a greater role to play! I have heard about people who rejected political appointments because they perceived they would not be allowed to performed well. My humble self know of a person who resigned his appointment to keep his integrity intact. Only a greedy person will work against his wish or tarry where he wouldn't be allowed to effect positive change.
Those in position of authority who refused to solve their community problems have forgotten they're still coming back to same community after leaving office.
That's why they keep dying in Indian hospitals because they refused to equip the hospitals at home. The roads they refused to fix ended up killing their associates and in-laws.
Myopic people!
Of course, his comments shocked many people especially his former comrades but fact is, man's real intent cannot be hid forever.
The most saddening one, is the story of Nigeria's Minister of Education who was sacked alongside about nine others. The sacked Education Minister, Ruqqayatu Rufai for over 97 days of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike had the opportunity of resolving the crisis but she played the Ostrich.
When asked of her next move after her dismissal, she was quoted as saying, "naturally, i am returning back to my constituency (Bayero University) to continue teaching.. "
What a life! What goes around comes around. How would she face her former colleagues when she resumes? Would she also remain at home till the ASUU crisis is resolved? Would she also benefit from the same largess she refused to sign if approved by the FG?
Still, there are people who would argue, 'she's only a Minister, what power does she have?' Fact is, she has a greater role to play! I have heard about people who rejected political appointments because they perceived they would not be allowed to performed well. My humble self know of a person who resigned his appointment to keep his integrity intact. Only a greedy person will work against his wish or tarry where he wouldn't be allowed to effect positive change.
Those in position of authority who refused to solve their community problems have forgotten they're still coming back to same community after leaving office.
That's why they keep dying in Indian hospitals because they refused to equip the hospitals at home. The roads they refused to fix ended up killing their associates and in-laws.
Myopic people!
THE QUAGMIRE OF RESOURCES CURSE?
"Men of a fat and fertile soil are most commonly effeminate and cowards; whereas inversely a barren country makes men temperate by necessity, and by consequence careful, vigilant, and industrious" —Jean Bodin (1576)
For centuries, it has been argued (and disputed) that abundance of natural resources could either benefit or pain the neck of the owner. Recently, the resource endowment of nation-states has been directly linked to the propensity of causing armed conflict, and this is very true of Nigeria especially in the Niger Delta region where successive government have ruthlessly suppressed the people over the benevolence of Mother Nature to own land.
That’s to say, the long-established struggle over the control of resources has been attributable to the power politics of various sovereign states in championing diverse contentious government policies to suppress oppositions. The United States, Britain, France and others have supported dictatorships to overthrow democracies because of their uncontained self-centred interest around the world.
Because of its multitude of diverse, sometimes rival ethno-linguistic groups, Nigeria has since prior to independence been beset with sectarian tensions and violence; which has remained the experience of the oil-producing Delta region, where both state and communal militia forces employ varying degree of coercion to gain control over the local petroleum resources; Britain, especially assisted Gowon to overrun Biafra for the sake of oil in the Niger Delta in 1967-1970.
To the common citizens of Nigeria the reason often adduced for the state belligerence is not far-fetched - “sovereignty”, “national security”, “curtailing the Niger Delta restiveness” and so on, as a consequence, the people have had their admired leaders conquered, dehumanized, imprisoned or exiled, killed and often replaced with dishonest puppets as instruments of neo-colonialist subjugation in authority.
“State failure,” “complex emergencies,” and “ethnic cleansing” have hence become the slogans in security, and peace & conflict resolution of this resource control quagmire.
With the discovery of large oil reserves in the region, the early 1960s witnessed a resurgence of internecine strife because of contention over ownerships to portions of land or territory that promises to yield specific advantages in terms of job creation and infrastructural improvements to be provided by the oil companies. These were disdained and ruthlessly suppressed by governments to degenerate from peaceful advocacy into violent strife of defiance over several years of neglect.
A subsequent phase of the struggle saw the declaration of an Independent Niger Delta Republic by Isaac Adaka Boro, just before the Biafran war in 1967. A succeeding chapter saw the request for justice to end marginalization of the people with Ken Saro-Wiwa at the vanguard. The indigenes cried against lack of development albeit the Nigerian state hauling out huge oil dough in addition to complaints of environmental pollution and destruction of their land and rivers by oil companies. Ken Saro-Wiwa and his compatriots at the helm of that crusade were killed by the Nigerian Government under Sani Abacha against worldwide outrage.
In recent times frontline resource control crusader James Onanefe Ibori came under the weight of the Nigerian Government like his erstwhile fellow citizens. He is currently wallowing in jail over concocted corruption charges to silence the effervescence of equitable recompense of the area for environmental issues.
With collapsed infrastructure, soaring inflation and tactlessness in all levels of governance pulling at the other end, Nigerians have been abandoned to the most profligate democracy ever known to the human species. This is not helped by an unscrupulous bunch of politicians that care less about the citizens. Therefore, the ingoing commotion within the ranks of politics – splinter groups, lawsuits, ASSU strike and what have you… are mere signs of the times.
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
BETWEEN ASARI DOKUBO'S COMMENTS AND BUHARI'S ACTIONS. Written by Saint-Olawale jimoh
Nigeria is an association of many 'nations' with different interpretations of what Nigeria is to them. Lord Luggard put dogs and cats in same cage and expected nothing but peace! Cat wants rat; dog wants bones. North wants power; South wants resources control and West hates violence but loves to rule. Sometimes, we want to put "question mark" where God put "full stop", we try to mend what God has already torn apart!
Much as I do not subscribe to the inflammatory comments being made by MEND warlord, Asari Dokubo, yet I don't disagree with him totally even though the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tambuwal and the House members have ordered the arrest of Asari and Kuku over their statements.
Buhari, Rufai and many others from the North made worse comments, backed up with actions (Boko Haram) nobody called for their heads. Have we forgotten Buhari's "BABOONS and DOGS" statement? Where were Tambuwal and his House members at the time?
The other time, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was in Maiduguri and bombs rained after he left but Buhari's APC crowd were there earlier and nothing happened. What does that suggest? It shows there's a link! Boko Haram picked same Buhari as a negotiator.
Well meaning Nigerians and the international community are watching.
Ken Saro Wiwa was condemned and hanged by Abacha while Mohammed Yusuf, Boko Haram leader was honoured and family compensated.
The Northerners controlled 83 per cent of the nation resources (oil) while they want death sentence for those they call South-South, South-East and South-West oil thieves. Kuku and Asari probably would be arrested and charged for treason as ordered by Tambuwal and the Arewas but Boko Haram and their Arewa accomplices, responsible for blood spilling are being BEGGED to accept AMNESTY on a platter of gold.
What a nation!
Much as I do not subscribe to the inflammatory comments being made by MEND warlord, Asari Dokubo, yet I don't disagree with him totally even though the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tambuwal and the House members have ordered the arrest of Asari and Kuku over their statements.
Buhari, Rufai and many others from the North made worse comments, backed up with actions (Boko Haram) nobody called for their heads. Have we forgotten Buhari's "BABOONS and DOGS" statement? Where were Tambuwal and his House members at the time?
The other time, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was in Maiduguri and bombs rained after he left but Buhari's APC crowd were there earlier and nothing happened. What does that suggest? It shows there's a link! Boko Haram picked same Buhari as a negotiator.
Well meaning Nigerians and the international community are watching.
Ken Saro Wiwa was condemned and hanged by Abacha while Mohammed Yusuf, Boko Haram leader was honoured and family compensated.
The Northerners controlled 83 per cent of the nation resources (oil) while they want death sentence for those they call South-South, South-East and South-West oil thieves. Kuku and Asari probably would be arrested and charged for treason as ordered by Tambuwal and the Arewas but Boko Haram and their Arewa accomplices, responsible for blood spilling are being BEGGED to accept AMNESTY on a platter of gold.
What a nation!
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
SINA KAWONISE: THE MUCH-AWAITED MESSIAH OF OGUN PEOPLE. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
'And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountain shall drop
new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk and all the rivers of Judah shall
flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and
shall water the valley of Shittim..'
-Joel 3:18
-Joel 3:18
'Sina' in Yorubaland means 'way opener' and we all acknowledge that name is significant in human life. This man might just be the solution to the current Ogun problem. It's obvious that people's expectations from government have not been met. The forestry authority locked forest reserve thereby making its workers, timber contractors and those in sawmilling business languishing in poverty. Ogun indigent students were much more disappointed. Few weeks ago, students of OOU Ago-Iwoye staged a peaceful protest against the neck-strangulating policies of state government and the introduction of POS as means of payment.
Just last Wednesday, workers of the OOU Teaching Hospital, Sagamu threatened to embark on strike if the State government fails to pay their over N2billion salary arrears. The workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions comprising the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Medical & Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Senior Staff Association and Non-Academic Union also accused the State government of being insensitive to their plight.
In fact, as I type this piece today 6th of May, 2013, Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese is still on strike!
One might want to ask how relevance can this Kawonise be? Those who know Kawonise and are up to date with his political activities would readily acknowledge he's a force to reckon with.
Last July when he celebrated his 50th birthday at Conference Hotel in Ijebu Ode, there was no single political leadership that was not represented there. An event that attracted the likes of Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Otunba Alex Onabanjo, Pa Lanihun, Reuben Abati (Special Adviser on media and publicity to the President), Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Prof. Muhammed Kuta Yahaya (Chief of Staff to Niger State Governor), Prince Buruji Kashamu, Senator Lekan Mustapha, serving and former lawmakers from Ogun and neighbouring States, traditional rulers and many media giants.
It's therefore a common fact that there are those who would feel threatened if he joins Ogun guber race to which he's readily preparing for. Perhaps the reason, he was attacked and shot on his way back from Awka where he had gone to deliver a paper at the Conference of the Nigeria Anthropological & Sociological Association. Those who shot at his car shot to kill according to reports made available had it not been for divine intervention that many him survived.
Fact is, Sina Kawonise is a moving train and on a rescue mission. A man of many parts who has got what it takes to govern Ogun and lead us to the promised land.
He had served in various capacities in public service and private business spanning more than 20 years. He is a journalist, public affairs commentator, columnist, author, media consultant, businessman, former Honorable Commissioner, publisher..
Sina Kawonise emerged as the Best Graduating Student, in the Department of Sociology, Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) in 1988 and he passed his M.Sc. degree with distinction at the University of Ibadan in 1990.
He was one of Africa’s Winners/ Representatives in the Second World Competition for Young Sociologists in Bielefeld, Germany, July, 1994.
At various times he was Staff Secretary, Department of Sociology, Ogun State University, Staff Adviser, Ogun State University Chapter of the National Sociological and Anthropological Students’ Association, Member, Ogun State University Press Council, Acting Treasurer, National Association of Sociologists and Anthropologists , Chairman, Faculty Open Lecture Committee (SMS), Member of NISER National Research Network on Liberalization Policies in Nigeria, Member, Governing Council, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Guest Contributor to the Opinion pages on The Guardian, Daily Times, Sunday Tribune and Saturday Tribune on Contemporary National Issues, since 1987, Consultant to the Editorial Board, Tribune Titles since December, 1991, Visiting Research Fellow, African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies (ACDESS) under the Directorship of Prof. Adebayo Adedeji since June, 1993.
Sina Kawonise served honourably in the immediate past administration as Commisioner for Information & Strategy and he got a State Award as the best State Commissioner in
Ogun State 2011. He's till date the Chairman, Editor-in-Chief of Western Publishing Limited, the publishers of Compass and The Westerner newspapers.
He has also been involved in Fish Farming, auto Engineering and Car Dealership, Media Consultancy, Mining and Export of Solid Minerals.
Unlike some of his likes, Kawonise remains humble and approachable in spite of his achievements. He is down to earth and simple perhaps to a fault. He does not judge people based on hear say or other people’s opinion of them.
His publications includes:
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, A Sociological Analysis of Nigeria’s Political Crisis: 1960 to Date, Long Essay for B.Sc. Degree (Sociology), Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye; 1988.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina (1989), “The Prospects of Democracy in a Neo-Colonial Economy: The Nigeria Experience”, in Prof. J Bayo Adekanye, (ed) Institutions and Processes of Democratization in Nigeria, Ibadan: Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), 1989.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina (1992), “Normative Impediments to Democratic Transition in Africa” in B. Caron, A. Gboyega and E. Osaghae (eds) Democratic Transition in Africa, Ibadan: Center de Recherches d’Echanges et de Documentation Universitaire, 1992.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina (Co-Author with Adebayo Adedeji & Onigu Otite) 1997, “Nigeria: Renewal from the Roots? The struggle for Democratic Development” African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies, ACDES, Ijebu Ode.
Journal Articles:
-Kawonise, ‘Sina (1992) “The Conflict of Consciousness in State-Society Relations in Nigeria: An Explanation of Form and Essence”, Nigerian Forum, Vol. 1, No.2; May – August.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, Civil Society and Democracy in Africa, International Sociology; 1994.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina (with Prof. Onigu Otite) (eds), Popular participation in Nigeria, African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies (ACDESS), 1995.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, Civil Society and Democracy in Africa, being a paper presented at the 2nd International Sociological Association (ISA) World Wide Competition for young sociologists, Bielefeld, Germany, 1994.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, Labour and Democratization : the Experience of the Labour Party in the Transition Programme in Nigeria. Being a proposal for the CODESRIA Network on Labour Movements and Policy Making in Africa, September, 1992.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, Political Forces, State Power and the Question of Democracy in Nigeria. Being a paper presented at the National Conference on Development Directions for the 21st Century Nigeria, held at Ibadan 7th – 10th July, 1991.
-Kawonise, ‘Sina, The Prospects of Democracy in a Neo-Colonial Economy: The Nigerian Experience. Being paper presented at the 10th Annual Conference of the Nigeria Political Science Association, University of Ibadan, May 28 – June 1, 1989.
He has attended conferences home and abroad among which are:
-National Conference on “Institutions and Processes of Democratization in Nigeria”, Calabar, July 1989.
- The XIIIth World Congress of Sociology, Bielefeld, Germany July 1994.
-National Workshop on “The World Bank Loan, the Universities and the Future of Nigeria, Ile-Ife, April 1990.
- National Conference on “Development Directions for the 21st Century Nigeria”, Ibadan, July 1991.
- National Conference on “Grassroots Democracy”, Abeokuta, July 1990.
- National Conference on “ Constitutionali sm and National Development in Nigeria”, Jos, November 1990.
- National Conference of the National Political Science Association, (NPSA) February 1994.
- African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies’ Workshop on Popular Participation in Development, June 1993.
- Centre for Democratic Study (CDS) National Conference on the Preview of the 1995 Draft Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abuja, August, 1995.
In conclusion, this Kawonise is indeed an asset and if voted into office would not only do the needful but build impossible bridges and restore the lost glory of Ogun State.
-National Conference on “Institutions and Processes of Democratization in Nigeria”, Calabar, July 1989.
- The XIIIth World Congress of Sociology, Bielefeld, Germany July 1994.
-National Workshop on “The World Bank Loan, the Universities and the Future of Nigeria, Ile-Ife, April 1990.
- National Conference on “Development Directions for the 21st Century Nigeria”, Ibadan, July 1991.
- National Conference on “Grassroots Democracy”, Abeokuta, July 1990.
- National Conference on “ Constitutionali sm and National Development in Nigeria”, Jos, November 1990.
- National Conference of the National Political Science Association, (NPSA) February 1994.
- African Centre for Development and Strategic Studies’ Workshop on Popular Participation in Development, June 1993.
- Centre for Democratic Study (CDS) National Conference on the Preview of the 1995 Draft Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abuja, August, 1995.
In conclusion, this Kawonise is indeed an asset and if voted into office would not only do the needful but build impossible bridges and restore the lost glory of Ogun State.
Saturday, 30 March 2013
NIGERIA: A NATION OF TRIBAL STIGMA. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Nigeria came into existence through the fiat of the British colonial masters in 1914, in which multi ethnic nationalities were forcefully merged together by force of arms. It is a nation built on tribal foundation. You cant love a tree and hate its root. And there is no skyscraper without a formidable foundation. Her multiple ethnicity which should have added to her strength is gradually becoming a curse. But when did tribalism become a stigma?
Nigeria is a theater where we are all actors. But the British that created this artificial nation were not totally oblivious that so many people do not see us as a factor. The earlier we acknowledge this fact, the better.
We would have to recognize that Nigeria is an association of many 'nations' with different interpretation of what Nigeria is to them. Lord Lugard put cat and dog in same cage and expected nothing but peaceful co-existence. Cat wants rat while dog would go for bones any day. The North loves power but the Southerners want resources control. Sometimes we try to mend what God has already torn apart and put question mark where God has said 'period'.
If you think representing your ethnic group is no more fashionable. What is the difference between a nationalist and a tribalist? As far as I am concern the difference is the territorial size and politics. There would always be rivalry among nations. Two warring nation. Like two competing tribes.
In Africa we have Anglophone, Francophone and Islamic nations. They all have their different agenda as a nation but a common African goal. Same applies to every Nigerian tribe or ethnic group. Even between brothers and sisters their is rivalry .
However, if we ever survive as a nation to our promise land. It would be based on the collective inputs of everybody. It would be how well our politics were able to respond and applied to our needs regionally and nationally. A British in 2013 would not mind chanting "long live the Queen" but this can only be achieved in Nigeria if we respect our fellow Nigerians and regard their tradition and religion, be it an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba man. If this cannot be achieved as we see today there shall be problem.
If it's only through splitting that Nigerians would experience genuine peace, so be it.
Nigeria is a theater where we are all actors. But the British that created this artificial nation were not totally oblivious that so many people do not see us as a factor. The earlier we acknowledge this fact, the better.
We would have to recognize that Nigeria is an association of many 'nations' with different interpretation of what Nigeria is to them. Lord Lugard put cat and dog in same cage and expected nothing but peaceful co-existence. Cat wants rat while dog would go for bones any day. The North loves power but the Southerners want resources control. Sometimes we try to mend what God has already torn apart and put question mark where God has said 'period'.
If you think representing your ethnic group is no more fashionable. What is the difference between a nationalist and a tribalist? As far as I am concern the difference is the territorial size and politics. There would always be rivalry among nations. Two warring nation. Like two competing tribes.
In Africa we have Anglophone, Francophone and Islamic nations. They all have their different agenda as a nation but a common African goal. Same applies to every Nigerian tribe or ethnic group. Even between brothers and sisters their is rivalry .
However, if we ever survive as a nation to our promise land. It would be based on the collective inputs of everybody. It would be how well our politics were able to respond and applied to our needs regionally and nationally. A British in 2013 would not mind chanting "long live the Queen" but this can only be achieved in Nigeria if we respect our fellow Nigerians and regard their tradition and religion, be it an Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba man. If this cannot be achieved as we see today there shall be problem.
If it's only through splitting that Nigerians would experience genuine peace, so be it.
Friday, 1 March 2013
BIG BROTHER REALITY SHOW: A CONTRADITION TO AFRICANS' TRADITION. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh
The idea of Big Brother is said to have come during a brainstorm session at the Dutch based international television production firm, Endemol on 4th of September, 1997. It took its name from the character in George Orwell's 1949 classic novel, "Nineteen Eighty-four". The first ever version of Big Brother was broadcast in 1999 on Veronica (TV channel) in Netherlands. Since then, the format has become a worldwide TV franchise, airing in many countries in varying adaptations.
Big Brother Africa(BBA) for instance, was first aired in 2003, the second edition was aired in 2007 and the third edition, August, 2008 and it ran for 91 days. It usually involves 12 strangers- six males and females (each from a different African nation), sharing a house for 91 days, in which their actions are monitored by close circuit cameras and relayed 24hours daily to millions of viewers via a dedicated channel and is made available to local stations all over Africa.
Big Brother symbolizes a monolithic state apparatus snooping on every aspect of its unwilling citizens' lives in order to control them. During the show, the voice of a commentator known as Big Brother by the contestants, gives out instructions and sometimes, tells the contestants to take part in activities like exercise, dance and gardening.
The cash prize for the winners puts a lot of pressure on the contestants to get involved in unwholesome activities in order to remain popular with the viewers. For example, in the first edition of BBA, viewers tuned in early in the morning to watch the shower hour where each participant was ordered to bathe at that time. Some participants had sex with each other, but they had the decency to tuck themselves under a blanket and switched-off the lights.
In 2004, Big Brother Middle East was cancelled after a few days because women in Bahrain protested against its unacceptable trend. In Big Brother Australia 2006, two male contestants were expelled for allegedly raping a female contestant. Again, during Big Brother Africa II in 2007, things got worse, more sexual scenes were revealed. One of the participants, Richard Bezuidenhout, a Tanzanian, who got married two weeks before the show, had sex openly with two females and committed statutory rape on another (a Nigerian, Miss Ofunneka Molokwu). At the of the show, Richard won!
Question is, what ideas are we selling and promoting?
During the duration of the show, all the national daily newspapers run columns dedicated to Big Brother Africa to generate interest in the show. This programme does not meet the basic criteria of a good television programme. It is not informative; it does not educate and the entertainment it provides is perverse. Whereas, Big Brother is a money spinner for its owners. There are a lot of profit for Big Brother owners. The revenue for BBA for instance comes from advertisers all over Africa, from subscriptions from local TV stations and from telecom companies that run the SMS voting for participants.
Reality show cost little to produce. The prize money for the winners is mere peanuts and it makes the participants behave like animals in a zoo or rats in a cage who make do with bananas and crumbs while the owners count the gate-takings. This programme make voyeurism, which ought to be a crime or mental illness, a national pastime.
The open display of sex and nudity is pornography. Pornography is illegal in Africa! Africa is under the threat of HIV/AIDS; promoting widespread pornography under whatever guise is counter-productive. In Swaziland, a country here in Africa, HIV is fast claiming lives. The infection rate is unprecedented and highest in the world. As a matter of fact, United Nations Development Program has written that if it continues unabated, the 'longer term existence of Swaziland as a country will be seriously threatened'. Again, according to the CIA World Factbook, Swaziland has the lowest life expectancy in the world, with an average life expectancy of only 31yrs!
Big Brother reinforces the notion that one does not need to work hard to become rich or famous. All the participants need to do is humiliate one another, seek for attention (with sex or indecent exposure) and use other participants. In summary, Big Brother does not promote any useful virtue for Africans. By letting a public rapist win BBA II, its owners had reinforced immorality in a continent where such acts are abhorred!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers Reflection Int'l
©2013
Big Brother Africa(BBA) for instance, was first aired in 2003, the second edition was aired in 2007 and the third edition, August, 2008 and it ran for 91 days. It usually involves 12 strangers- six males and females (each from a different African nation), sharing a house for 91 days, in which their actions are monitored by close circuit cameras and relayed 24hours daily to millions of viewers via a dedicated channel and is made available to local stations all over Africa.
Big Brother symbolizes a monolithic state apparatus snooping on every aspect of its unwilling citizens' lives in order to control them. During the show, the voice of a commentator known as Big Brother by the contestants, gives out instructions and sometimes, tells the contestants to take part in activities like exercise, dance and gardening.
The cash prize for the winners puts a lot of pressure on the contestants to get involved in unwholesome activities in order to remain popular with the viewers. For example, in the first edition of BBA, viewers tuned in early in the morning to watch the shower hour where each participant was ordered to bathe at that time. Some participants had sex with each other, but they had the decency to tuck themselves under a blanket and switched-off the lights.
In 2004, Big Brother Middle East was cancelled after a few days because women in Bahrain protested against its unacceptable trend. In Big Brother Australia 2006, two male contestants were expelled for allegedly raping a female contestant. Again, during Big Brother Africa II in 2007, things got worse, more sexual scenes were revealed. One of the participants, Richard Bezuidenhout, a Tanzanian, who got married two weeks before the show, had sex openly with two females and committed statutory rape on another (a Nigerian, Miss Ofunneka Molokwu). At the of the show, Richard won!
Question is, what ideas are we selling and promoting?
During the duration of the show, all the national daily newspapers run columns dedicated to Big Brother Africa to generate interest in the show. This programme does not meet the basic criteria of a good television programme. It is not informative; it does not educate and the entertainment it provides is perverse. Whereas, Big Brother is a money spinner for its owners. There are a lot of profit for Big Brother owners. The revenue for BBA for instance comes from advertisers all over Africa, from subscriptions from local TV stations and from telecom companies that run the SMS voting for participants.
Reality show cost little to produce. The prize money for the winners is mere peanuts and it makes the participants behave like animals in a zoo or rats in a cage who make do with bananas and crumbs while the owners count the gate-takings. This programme make voyeurism, which ought to be a crime or mental illness, a national pastime.
The open display of sex and nudity is pornography. Pornography is illegal in Africa! Africa is under the threat of HIV/AIDS; promoting widespread pornography under whatever guise is counter-productive. In Swaziland, a country here in Africa, HIV is fast claiming lives. The infection rate is unprecedented and highest in the world. As a matter of fact, United Nations Development Program has written that if it continues unabated, the 'longer term existence of Swaziland as a country will be seriously threatened'. Again, according to the CIA World Factbook, Swaziland has the lowest life expectancy in the world, with an average life expectancy of only 31yrs!
Big Brother reinforces the notion that one does not need to work hard to become rich or famous. All the participants need to do is humiliate one another, seek for attention (with sex or indecent exposure) and use other participants. In summary, Big Brother does not promote any useful virtue for Africans. By letting a public rapist win BBA II, its owners had reinforced immorality in a continent where such acts are abhorred!
Saint-Olawale Jimoh
Observers Reflection Int'l
©2013
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