Comments on naijablog: Coda on class

i agree with dotun that changes that some ex-pats ...

2008-03-05T17:25:00.000+01:00

i agree with dotun that changes that some ex-pats try to implement are incongruent with the society they are trying to work in. the changes are needed, but the means by which they implement those changes are sort of dumped on to the host (some random naija village, town, people group, etc). This is not new to Nigeria or even the developing world. This type of ivy-league-grad knows best starts right at their home institutions. Many of these ivy leagues institutions are within or besides ghettos and their students often "bleed" for these ghettos. Unfortunately, their ideas of community development, which on paper are quite impressive, ignore the realities of everyday living in these places. (I know from personal experience of not only being a member of one of these "ghettos" but also, much later, a student at such an institution). I think such graduates who are the most successful at their development endeavors first integrate themselves into these communities for several years, in fact. Then gradually make changes through existing structures. I have yet to see otherwise and I think it serves as a useful model for those abroad who seek to "make a difference" in Naija. Rather than go for development money for realistically unsustainable projects, it is probably best to first re-orient yourself into the Nigerian way of life, which may take years. For example, one can teach at a university, rather than imposing some new program or assist at an existing clinic rather than siphon thousands of development dollars for like a one-week AIDS awareness program. In the process of re-orienting yourself, get married to a Nigerian and establish some tangible roots in Naija...look, it worked for Jeremy...i mean that light-heartedly....these are just my thoughts from my very limited experience, but I've enjoyed the discussion so far.

tsk tsk darling, no need to be sooo touchy, constr...

2008-03-03T17:18:00.000+01:00

tsk tsk darling, no need to be sooo touchy, constructive criticism never hurt anyone...

Read your blog, loved it, bookmarked it, but your argument here just didn't come together so there was nothing to agree/disagree with. You must admit it did come off like a rant and nothing else.

Forgive me, but I do believe punctuation marks and paragraphs make for concise reading, especially if you're making a (long) point and I'm always quick to point that out to people (a habit my friends find immensely annoying so I guess you would too!)

Anyway, ma je ka ja. Ko le to yen. Lollipops?

LOL!That's right Omidanbellaf, cos you know the pr...

2008-03-03T00:31:00.000+01:00

LOL!
That's right Omidanbellaf, cos you know the price of rice in China be different and sheesh!
LMAO!
These blogs are too funny man!
Here come the spellchecker brigade again..........

Pardon me Ma'am, I was not informed that my respo...

2008-03-02T22:33:00.000+01:00

Pardon me Ma'am, I was not informed that my response would be reviewed by your H.R.H. I apologize for missing punctuation marks, syntax errors and other flaws you may have found in my writing. Hence forth, I shall write in MLA, APA, AMA, Turabian or Chicago formats. Please let me know which of these styles you prefer.

Although I would rather you admit that you had no problems understanding my response, you simply did not agree with it. And instead of coming up with intelligent counter arguments you descended to taking cheap shots at my writing. After all it is less tasking on your intelligence. Peace.

@anon 6.38 aka omidanbellafricaine, you made absol...

2008-03-02T01:35:00.000+01:00

@anon 6.38 aka omidanbellafricaine, you made absolutely no sense darling so please don't go on.

Next time try a spell checker, punctuation marks and a paragraph or two, and your words might come into focus. Otherwise, didn't quite understand what your rant had to do with the price of rice in china.... but that's just me...

'lakunle, the house negro, shine your eyes well-we...

2008-03-01T19:35:00.000+01:00

'lakunle, the house negro, shine your eyes well-well.

Does that include white women? I have met lots of...

2008-03-01T15:36:00.000+01:00

Does that include white women? I have met lots of white men and women who are doing very good and meaningful things in Nigeria and a very few who are making shit load of money. But so what some are making loads of money here? Arn't many of us in their country trying to make money as well? the difference is all they are making here is money and nothing more. Quality of life is shit in Nigeria. Those that are making money in their country are also enjoying the finner things in life.

In any case, this is Jeremy is blog if you don't like it, carry yourself go elswhere.

'lakunle

At the risk of sounding cynical, I have never met ...

2008-03-01T02:24:00.000+01:00

At the risk of sounding cynical, I have never met a white man in Nigeria who is not in 'it' for the money and solely this. But this is just my own experience. Not having met lots of white people who care 'deeply' about Nigeria does not mean that they do not exist.

Ha... but the development machine needs these peop...

2008-02-29T16:17:00.000+01:00

Ha... but the development machine needs these people to function, doesn't it? What do development organisations do with all the money they work so hard to raise if there are no ivy league graduates who are not just technocrats but also well-meaning citizens of a developing country? How does the development industry justify its existence without these well-meaning Nigerians? Actualy, I think your question should be directed at your development expat colleagues.

@Lanre.I wonder how YOU would feel if you or any o...

2008-02-29T15:18:00.000+01:00

@Lanre.

I wonder how YOU would feel if you or any of your Nigerian friends who may have lived or still live in the UK or in the States were told not to comment on issues in that country.

I'm afraid you are reflecting one of the main problems with Nigeria and Nigerians and that is a general refusal to take criticism be it constructive or otherwise. I know Jeremy and whilst I don't always agree with what he has to say, I do believe he has the right to comment on Nigeria - he lives in, works in and cares deeply about Nigeria.

I’ve read his blog since it’s inception and have found these knee jerk reaction warnings to him as if we're some friggin police state, quite quite irritating and the root of many of its problems......oh and I do wonder why so many people choose to remain anonymous as well as they go in for the kill...(I'm referring to many of the previous posts).

If you don't like his comments, don't read his blog.

and yes I am Nigerian, so go on tell me I can't voice my opinion...
grrrrrrrrrr.
THERE - got that of my chest, now I can get on with my work.

left me start by saying i am the cynical anonymous...

2008-02-29T10:22:00.000+01:00

left me start by saying i am the cynical anonymous poster and i believe i did say the ppl i have met in essence i am speaking 4 my self and from my experience i dont know why y'all think you have a solution when really you are part of the problem last week J posted an article where he pointed out that all you need to do is come back home with a janded accent and you are in ... leaving the unemployed and btw equally brilliant ppl left back nigeria still unemployed, and then you are back in naija and you realize there are some services and goods you need that you cant get in naija and then you begin to import goods and the other nigerians follow after all you are the janded nigerian that is more enlightened in the process you create a market for imported goods and local products are ignored....you go back, begin to boast and show off make it seem to easy and then the youths begin to flow out of naija just so they can become like you they steal, rob commit fraud, commit suicide after being turned away at the embassies, you come back with your high and lofty mostly impractical dreams and then get frustrated along with the nigerians you have wooed with eloquent speeches ...... need i go on

p.s. bleeding hearts are mostly selfish hearts, we never give without wanting something back

Yes, Jeremy as lanre hinted, you strike me as one ...

2008-02-29T00:45:00.000+01:00

Yes, Jeremy as lanre hinted, you strike me as one of those pverpaid oyinbo show-face-do-no-work-collect-cheque expats.

I hope not.

As an ex Princetonian who is going back home in a ...

2008-02-29T00:37:00.000+01:00

As an ex Princetonian who is going back home in a few days (10 days, actually), all I can say is anonymous 6:38 is hanging with the wrong crowd. There are many many Nigerians abroad who are returning (there is another Nigerian also an ex Princetonian returning soon!) - we plenty.

@Lanre ROFL at the 'electronic hiss'

2008-02-29T00:27:00.000+01:00

@Lanre
ROFL at the 'electronic hiss'

Don't you know that Dishonesty is a booming indust...

2008-02-28T23:04:00.000+01:00

Don't you know that Dishonesty is a booming industry?

I think Dotun has hit the nail on the head. Unfort...

2008-02-28T22:59:00.000+01:00

I think Dotun has hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately, this problem exists in just about every third world country..........

2008-02-28T20:40:00.000+01:00

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

If you live in Abuja and work in the donor/develop...

2008-02-28T20:22:00.000+01:00

If you live in Abuja and work in the donor/development industry, one will encounter your observations Jeremy. I must admit, I was surprised how gulliable many of these donor agencies are. There is an assumption that if you are western educated that you are incapable of corrpution, incompetency etc. I think they are learning. They are not learning fast enough however. I see so many of the people you describe here in Abuja who complain about how much they have given up to return home, and i feel like reminding some of them that you have gained more than you have lost, especially materially. I know I certainly have. Although the security issue is a problem and it is what makes me question the extent to which I can continue to live in this country. So many oxbridge/harvards types like myself here can become quite lazy and complacent. No different from the civil servants and communities they are suppose to be elevating.

the reasson why such projects fail may be connecte...

2008-02-28T19:17:00.000+01:00

the reasson why such projects fail may be connected to the adverse relationship between 'respect-the-elder' culture and 21st-century development. Oxbridge and Ivy league graduate interprete problem under a different framework from the agbada 'chop-i-chop' public servants in Abuja. Eventhough they might have good intention, but good results elude them because the underpinning framework is faulty.

I think one of the reason for the failure of such ...

2008-02-28T19:15:00.000+01:00

I think one of the reason for the failure of such project is the adverse relationship between the 'respect-the-elder' culture and 21st-century development. Oxbridge and Ivy league graduate interprete problem under a different framework from the agbada 'chop-i-chop' public servants in Abuja. Eventhough they might have good intention, but good results elude them because the underpinning framework is faulty.

@aspiring nigerian woman: Preach sista preach! mea...

2008-02-28T19:04:00.000+01:00

@aspiring nigerian woman: Preach sista preach! meanwhile Jeremy, hook us up with all those ya donors them, i get plenty plans and projects...dem full ground remain!

but this sentence from Lanre killed me today, i don laugh tire for here "I think you've been allowed to run amock for too long in naija".

Heheheheheheh, Jeremy, dem go soon catch you oh!

Nna na wah oh.All these grags wey some people dey ...

2008-02-28T18:49:00.000+01:00

Nna na wah oh.
All these grags wey some people dey dump for ya site. E paranoid me oh.
On to the coda on wetin you call am again?
You must have had quite a number of experiences with these Expat naija people. I live between Lagos and Port Harcourt, but I never jam all these people oh.
I guess they are contributing in their own tiny way. But maybe, they can conduct their study in local Naija villages and organise trainings in the same locations. I offer my services foc

J,Have some faith. I still know well meaning NIger...

2008-02-28T15:40:00.000+01:00

J,

Have some faith. I still know well meaning NIgerians, who attended this so called elite schools and are and will still make lasting impact on Nigeria.

I have a cambridge degree which cost me a fortune, but I am on my way to serve my country and contribute my bit. Watch out J,I am on my way and this is not for short term projects and self benefits, I will change the story.

Deep stuvs my man, and well written too. Dont worr...

2008-02-28T06:19:00.000+01:00

Deep stuvs my man, and well written too. Dont worry about that first anon, we're still coming oo

To the first poster, you are so far from the truth...

2008-02-28T01:46:00.000+01:00

To the first poster, you are so far from the truth it is embarrassing.

I am currently in California and I know of a few that intend to *move* back to naija when they graduate college. Maybe the people you surround yourself with are those that have given up hope but I speak with friends that have nothing but pride in Nigeria and want to go back and make a change. I keep up with old secondary school classmates that are making positive things happen and are encouraging me to come join them.

We are not deluded and understand it will be a frustrating and uphill battle, but the desire still burns.