FEMI TAIWO ON MONDAY: Setting the tone….

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Femi Taiwo

Michael Oluwafemi Taiwo, Ph.D

I will start my first column on this blog with the words of Thomas Paine: These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

Paine’s words were published in an article he titled “The Crisis” in December 23, 1776. At that point, a fledgling nation – the United States – had declared her independence and Britain – then the world’s mightiest country – was going to strip her of it and keep her subservient to the Crown with military force. Britain is the “tyranny” in Paine’s quote. Why would I start a column about career, education and politics geared towards a primarily Nigerian audience with a quote from an era in America’s history?

“Only in Nigeria” is a phrase we have come to identify with the vexing problems that have plagued us as a sovereign State. We feel our national challenges are unique and that the solutions to them cannot be copied from elsewhere. And this is true. No other nation is called “Nigeria,” no other nation has our past and no other nation can have our destiny. Distinct like the DNA, there will not be another Nigeria.

But while our challenges may be unique, they are not new. Nations have been on the brink of destruction or bankruptcy before, and we can look at their response to find inspiration for our struggles. What will help and heal Nigeria is not in a book somewhere, but we study nonetheless because we understand that by knowing about the past – ours and others – we can find guidance for the days ahead.

I will be freely sharing from what I know in the hopes of having a more educated and empowered citizenry. Like the US in 1776, we also have a tyranny that besets us and is hell-bent on enslaving us forever if we let it. It is the tyranny of bad leadership at almost every level of the society. The youths have been disillusioned as to what a proper leader looks like. Our economic, political and religious institutions have a surfeit of leaders who are wanton and greedy and base and vile. They are all tyrants in their little fiefdoms. And while they loot the country, terrorists attack in the North, oil thieves run riot in the South and inter-communal clashes are more widespread and destructive than before.

This is the Nigeria of today. This is the background against which I will be writing. What is right with us though is much more than what is wrong with us. And even deeper, I believe that what is right with us can consume what is wrong with us. I will be the last person to give up on my country. I have seen the resilience of her youth and intelligence of her children. I have no doubt that these are the ones who will rise to light up this present darkness we are in; I firmly believe that our youth are the solution. If, through my writings, I can inspire a single soul as what he or she can do to better the lot of other Nigerians and indeed the world at large, then this column would have achieved its goal.

26 comments

  1. Jarus 31 March, 2013 at 20:58 Reply

    Just a personal note: Michael was my academic mentor in secondary school and university. He ‘terrorised’ me with impossible academic targets. I almost ran away from him. lol. But I thank God today that I am better for that. One day, I shall tell the story here. So, getting him to write for me was a fait accompli. Very busy now, but I’ve told him I also want to ‘terrorise’ him back…lol

    • drfemitaiwo 25 June, 2013 at 00:06 Reply

      You are indeed “terrorising” me here! I have to come up with something new every fortnight but I wouldn’t have it another way. So much is at stake, and the earlier we start giving back, the better.

  2. haboosa 1 April, 2013 at 00:44 Reply

    A God created genius that i always look forward to right from AMS to OGS……i think femi is perfect Oga at top…..lols

  3. Aderinto 1 April, 2013 at 07:35 Reply

    He is a phenomenal. He intimidate with his targets and track record. Always set the standard for others to follow; @ AMS, OGS, IFE… Honestly, Femi and Suraj are like ‘JAKE’ in ‘TOUCH’. The more you go after him, the higher you find him.

  4. Olatunji Lateef 2 April, 2013 at 15:34 Reply

    I have only talked to him once and that day I was able to see his result, yet, from then, I have been a secrete admirer. Today, he has risen high to where he should belong, among the high flyers. This is a good one he has penned down, so, I look forward to even more engaging articles from him. Thanks Jarus.

  5. Ayo 3 April, 2013 at 04:03 Reply

    i can not but drop my comment as i had desired for a long time hearing from Femi Taiwo or knowing more about him i should rather say. Jarus made this possible. These are the caliber of people we derive inspiration from looking up to the benchmark set for us then @ OGS’ distinction board especially then when business students are seen as third class citizen that can only be first on the expulsion list. Kudos

  6. ABUBAKAR IBRAHIM NGULDE 28 May, 2013 at 21:17 Reply

    A YOUNG CHAP AND AN ASPIRING CHEMICAL ENGINEER TOO, IN YOU I;M SURE OF A MENTOR I CAN ALWAYS TRUST. FROM NOW ON, YOU ARE

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