Thesis: The Igbo culture was one which kindled a spirit of democracy and competitiveness, allowing it to rise above all other ethnic groups and thrive in early Nigeria. Such achievement was frowned upon by other ethnic groups and invoked hostility between them. The Biafran War, (a result of this hostility) ultimately led to Nigeria’s decline, forever changing its legacy.
How does Achebe’s perspective influence his view of Nigeria?
Chinua Achebe grew up as an Igbo who supported the Biafrans in the Biafran civil war. While the Nigerian Government and the OAU (Organization of African Unity) believe that a unified Nigeria is a stronger Nigeria, Achebe cites the Biafran War as the reason for Nigeria’s decline and believes that the Igbo people …show more content…
The three biggest problems facing Nigeria right now are corruption, the rise of terrorism, and ethnic tensions. The system of prebendalism in Nigeria encourages corruption. Elected leaders feel obligated to give back to their ethnic support in the form of federal funds. Such illicit transactions have put Nigeria $400 billion dollars behind, roughly the equivalent of the economies of Sweden and Norway combined. Corruption is the root of Nigeria’s other problems and only upon the dismantling of corruption in a peaceful, democratic way, according to Achebe, can Nigeria stabilize.
Over the past decade, Boko Haram has slowly risen in Nigeria with their goal being to, “overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state.” Due in part to corruption, Boko Haram has thrived in Nigeria. In fact, a prior official under Goodluck Jonathan extorted $2 billion received for fighting Boko Haram. Moreover, many military officials choose to pocket money instead of providing for the welfare of their men. This wastefulness facilitates corruption and allows Boko Haram to thrive in the failed state of Nigeria. Indeed, many terrorists go uncaptured as a result of the government’s failure to enforce laws protecting Nigerians from …show more content…
The Nigerian system of prebendalism encourages such behavior. It is considered noble, in fact, for politicians of one ethnic group to steal government funds and give them to their people. This corruption is enabled, in part, because of the foreign friends of the Nigerian leaders who help hide the money in overseas accounts. Consequently, voters continue to support candidates from their ethnic group as they don’t want to lose priceless government funding. While some believe that corruption is caused by Nigeria’s access to crude oil, Achebe argues it is not that straightforward. In Nigeria, there is no accountability even though many Nigerians agree there should be. Accountability, in Nigeria is determined by one’s connections to the President. It is the President’s system of prebendalism which prolongs the corruption. In four decades, Nigeria’s noble system of prebendalism has extorted $400 billion of Nigerian funding roughly equivalent to the combined economies of Norway and Sweden. Only upon the termination of prebendalism will corruption in Nigeria begin to
How does Achebe’s perspective influence his view of Nigeria?
Chinua Achebe grew up as an Igbo who supported the Biafrans in the Biafran civil war. While the Nigerian Government and the OAU (Organization of African Unity) believe that a unified Nigeria is a stronger Nigeria, Achebe cites the Biafran War as the reason for Nigeria’s decline and believes that the Igbo people …show more content…
The three biggest problems facing Nigeria right now are corruption, the rise of terrorism, and ethnic tensions. The system of prebendalism in Nigeria encourages corruption. Elected leaders feel obligated to give back to their ethnic support in the form of federal funds. Such illicit transactions have put Nigeria $400 billion dollars behind, roughly the equivalent of the economies of Sweden and Norway combined. Corruption is the root of Nigeria’s other problems and only upon the dismantling of corruption in a peaceful, democratic way, according to Achebe, can Nigeria stabilize.
Over the past decade, Boko Haram has slowly risen in Nigeria with their goal being to, “overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state.” Due in part to corruption, Boko Haram has thrived in Nigeria. In fact, a prior official under Goodluck Jonathan extorted $2 billion received for fighting Boko Haram. Moreover, many military officials choose to pocket money instead of providing for the welfare of their men. This wastefulness facilitates corruption and allows Boko Haram to thrive in the failed state of Nigeria. Indeed, many terrorists go uncaptured as a result of the government’s failure to enforce laws protecting Nigerians from …show more content…
The Nigerian system of prebendalism encourages such behavior. It is considered noble, in fact, for politicians of one ethnic group to steal government funds and give them to their people. This corruption is enabled, in part, because of the foreign friends of the Nigerian leaders who help hide the money in overseas accounts. Consequently, voters continue to support candidates from their ethnic group as they don’t want to lose priceless government funding. While some believe that corruption is caused by Nigeria’s access to crude oil, Achebe argues it is not that straightforward. In Nigeria, there is no accountability even though many Nigerians agree there should be. Accountability, in Nigeria is determined by one’s connections to the President. It is the President’s system of prebendalism which prolongs the corruption. In four decades, Nigeria’s noble system of prebendalism has extorted $400 billion of Nigerian funding roughly equivalent to the combined economies of Norway and Sweden. Only upon the termination of prebendalism will corruption in Nigeria begin to