For some years now, a lot of us have always had a pessimistic attitude to things in Nigeria, and maybe Africa too (some still do to a degree, even myself sometimes) but sometimes we just kinda know deep down that things can still change.
(See some comments from some very important people. One said and I paraphrase, “The average Asian (Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Indian) is respected anywhere he goes in the world because Japan and China are getting things right (India has improved slightly too). The average fair-skinned person of European descent, for instance, is respected world-over because the western countries are blazing the trail. The average Latino still has some respect because countries like Argentina, Dominican Republic and maybe Brazil are not doing so badly. However, the average African is virtually disrespected almost everywhere because big countries like Nigeria, Congo DR, Sudan and Ethiopia are doing mostly terribly. Western people, for instance, who are tired of the US can emigrate to Ireland, Scotland, the UK or Australia and live well. People of Japanese and Chinese origin in the US can go back to China, Japan and South Korea and still have a good quality of life. Latinos can go back to Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and not do badly. I honestly do not think an African American or British person of African origin would have the same quality of life if they move back to Africa.
Another one said but expressed loosely with my comments in italics, “…this African poverty stuff is bigger than we think. There’s a lot of factors involved. ‘Most people with melanin-coating or extremely exposed to the UV light close to the equator’ (these are my words though for what people term black as I do not agree with the colour classification of humans, story for another day), generally whether “akata”, aborigines, black Indians, Africans, even Latinos by default we have a similar pattern of thinking which is to be simple and relationship-based. All these have their pros and cons, but I feel those of us that have been able to break away from that simple lifestyle is only by the grace of God.
(Of course, I have no interest in reducing our cultural values to the bare and as much as I think we can harness the strengths of our simple and relationship-based attitude to life, we must incorporate carefully the culture of excellence and embrace true values and principles that can keep us socially responsible)
So, for me, I don’t expect a change really but on the average, a difference!
A difference in the average poverty level
A difference in the average level of underemployment and “unemployability”
A difference in the average level of thinking
A difference in the average level of proficiency
A difference in the average level of productivity
A difference in the average level of quality
A difference in the average level of responsibility
That’s what PQR (a.k.a. #90Bill) is all about.
Expect a difference. It is your right to be Productive in Quality, take Responsibility
*PQR*
#90Bill
Your friend and leadservant-in-training, Wonuola.
wonu-ideas.com 
6 replies on “Don’t expect a change”
Well written Ope. It’s a mind-stimulating conversation which we can only address when we come together to reason.
LikeLike
Thank you Anu. I do usually arrange a casual meeting, more like a get-together of like-minds called “Sphere of Influence”. You can host one in your community and I’d be glad to post your comments and pictures here on my blog. And of course, I know this extends beyond here as it is one step in the right direction especially when accompanied by actions and not just talk.
LikeLike
That’s motivating. Nice one! The third world countries need it. Indeed we need to change our thinking and attitude but not our culture. We need to see ourselves as great people. And live like well respected people. Everyone is running out or wants to run out of the continent and go live in some imaginary safe haven. Who is going to fix “the scar “. None but us.
An albino will believe he is an albino if he behaves that way. But no matter how others see him or tell him of his albinism, if he lives outside the sphere of those stuff, he functions perfectly like the normal humans. Honestly, he can’t do anything on his hair, eyes and skin. They are for real. But how he feels is what break him or keep him going.
How we both see ourselves and behave matters a lot to the outside world to a degree but to us it matters most.
Once again, nice inspiration, Wonuola
LikeLike
True talk. Very insightful viewpoint
LikeLike
Nice piece Ope and I have my reservations too. If we want to experience a difference as you have rightly pointed out, we need a CHANGE. The countries you mentioned above have all earned their respect in one way or the other and as such, their reputation preceeds them. I can’t say the same for my country. There are so many things wrong with our country that punctuates our progress as a nation as well as mar our international reputation. To name a few, our federal quota system must be abolished to create a thriving environment for competition – this spans the gamut of every sector in the country. Thus, when people realise they can make a change by virtue of hardwork, then we can realise the much needed difference – good heads living abroad can then return home and make a difference. Nepotism, greed, moral decadence, youthful docility are some of the bane of our current geographic space. When we start doing the right things, we would earn our respect as a people. We need a change to make a difference and it begins with you and I. Once again, nice piece from you.
LikeLike
Definitely. Thanks man!
LikeLike