Leaders are supposed to be the guiding light for their people, making decisions that are grounded in the values and traditions of their own culture. However, in today’s Nigeria, many leaders have become blind followers of the European political, economic and social systems; FOLLOWING WESTERN PRACTICES without taking into account the detrimental effects they have on their own society. They have succumbed to the allure of the European system at the expense of their own heritage and the well-being of their own people.
By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman
This blind conformity to Western practices not only undermines the unique culture and heritage of the Nigerian nation but also exposes numerous contradictions and absurdities within the leadership.
Instead of critically analyzing the validity of the European system, many of our leaders have blindly adopted its ideals and beliefs, betraying their cultural roots in the process. This lack of critical thinking skills has transformed them into blind men, being led by madmen who prioritize conformity over individuality. By neglecting their own traditions and values in favor of European practices, these leaders are essentially erasing the essence of Nigeria’s culture and heritage.
Their minds have turned white, mirroring the colonizer’s skin, as they embrace foreign rhetoric without understanding its implications or considering the consequences for our society. They have abandoned their traditions and become subservient to western imperial rulers, effectively becoming slaves to a system that does not serve the best interests of their people. By cutting ties with their roots and adopting foreign values, they have become like foreign plants in their own land, disconnected from their heritage and identity.
One of the most glaring contradictions is seen in how these leaders have forsaken their own systems in favor of adopting foreign ideals and beliefs. Their minds have become blank slates, devoid of their own rich history and background, as they blindly adhere to western practices and values. This rejection of their own values is a betrayal of their roots, as they cut ties with their own history to embrace a foreign system that does not align with their identity.
In their subservience to colonial rulers and oppressive policies, these leaders have become slaves to a system that does not have their best interests at heart. They have relinquished their agency in decision-making, becoming mere puppets dancing to the tune of their imperial masters. This lack of autonomy has left them detached from the needs and aspirations of their own people, as they prioritize the interests of their colonizers over those of their own society.
The adoption of European rhetoric and language without understanding its implications further highlights the disconnect between these leaders and their people. They speak like parrots, repeating foreign words and phrases without considering the impact these words may have on their society. Their hearts have turned cold and unfeeling, as they lose touch with their emotions and humanity in their blind pursuit of western ideals.
This betrayal of their heritage is seen in every facet of their lives, from the way they dress to the food they eat. By donning western fashion and rejecting traditional attire, these leaders signal their allegiance to a system that places foreign culture on a pedestal above their own. The disdain for traditional medicine, music, dance, and language further emphasizes their rejection of their own values in favor of European norms.
In their pursuit of Western education, knowledge, and healthcare, these leaders further distance themselves from their people and their roots. They mock traditional practices, customs, and beliefs as primitive and backward, viewing them as inferior to western ways. This condescending attitude towards their own culture only serves to perpetuate the cycle of self-negation and self-betrayal.
The contradictions and absurdities exhibited by our leaders in their blind adherence to the western system serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of abandoning one’s heritage and identity. It is time our leaders rediscover their roots, embrace their traditions, and prioritize the well-being of their own people over the interests of their colonizers. Only then can they truly lead with integrity, authenticity, and a genuine commitment to the betterment of society.
