Review of Nigeria: The Giant Leading The Race to Extinction
Posted: 11 Jan 2025, 03:54
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Nigeria: The Giant Leading The Race to Extinction" by 'Dele Owolowo.]
"Nigeria: The Giant Leading The Race to Extinction" by 'Dele Owolowo is a book that examines Nigeria's role as the giant of Africa in the face of socio-economic challenges facing the nation. In this book, the author looks at what Nigeria has done with all the resources it has been blessed with. Ideally, Nigeria is blessed and deserves to be called the giant of Africa. In reality, the nation is in a state of comatose. What is the reason for this deplorable state? What can be done to salvage the situation? These questions (and more) are answered in this book.
This is the second book written by this author that I have read. I have seen the consistency with which the author talks about his beloved nation, Nigeria. I can confirm that the author is one of the people we can call "well-meaning Nigerians." Even though he has sojourned in many countries and continents, his love for Nigeria (and Africa) has not waned. I have not read his first book. However, I am sure it still talks about how Nigeria can rise to its potential as the giant of Africa. Because of the author's love and consistency, this book will be a valuable read for all well-meaning Nigerians.
The author has a unique and consistent writing style that I have seen in the books I've read so far. First, he infuses pidgin English into his writing to create a relaxed atmosphere, especially for Nigerian readers. It also creates camaraderie between Nigerian readers and the author; the book can easily be accepted as written by "their own person." However, he makes sure that non-Nigerian readers are not left out. Every part of the book written in pidgin English has an interpretation in standard English. Another interesting way the author writes is by creating conversations between fictional characters to theatrically drive home his point. An example is the series of conversations between a fictional father called Earthos and his sons, Afris and Ameris. The author uses these conversations to show how African nations and the Americas have fared, having once been under European colonial rule.
I like that this book is not a sentimental analysis of what the author assumes is the problem. There are more than enough pieces of research to support the author's narrative. The practical examples the author cited are verifiable. There are two of them that I can personally confirm. One is the sabotage of the education sector through incessant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). I have had to spend unnecessary periods out of school because of these strikes. The second one is the oil spill situation in Bodo. I have been to that place and it is a sorry sight to behold. The fact that what the author shares in this book is verifiable adds to the book's authenticity. The book might ruffle some feathers, but the truth has to be told.
There is absolutely nothing to dislike about this book. Therefore, I rate it a five out of five.
******
Nigeria: The Giant Leading The Race to Extinction
View: on Bookshelves
"Nigeria: The Giant Leading The Race to Extinction" by 'Dele Owolowo is a book that examines Nigeria's role as the giant of Africa in the face of socio-economic challenges facing the nation. In this book, the author looks at what Nigeria has done with all the resources it has been blessed with. Ideally, Nigeria is blessed and deserves to be called the giant of Africa. In reality, the nation is in a state of comatose. What is the reason for this deplorable state? What can be done to salvage the situation? These questions (and more) are answered in this book.
This is the second book written by this author that I have read. I have seen the consistency with which the author talks about his beloved nation, Nigeria. I can confirm that the author is one of the people we can call "well-meaning Nigerians." Even though he has sojourned in many countries and continents, his love for Nigeria (and Africa) has not waned. I have not read his first book. However, I am sure it still talks about how Nigeria can rise to its potential as the giant of Africa. Because of the author's love and consistency, this book will be a valuable read for all well-meaning Nigerians.
The author has a unique and consistent writing style that I have seen in the books I've read so far. First, he infuses pidgin English into his writing to create a relaxed atmosphere, especially for Nigerian readers. It also creates camaraderie between Nigerian readers and the author; the book can easily be accepted as written by "their own person." However, he makes sure that non-Nigerian readers are not left out. Every part of the book written in pidgin English has an interpretation in standard English. Another interesting way the author writes is by creating conversations between fictional characters to theatrically drive home his point. An example is the series of conversations between a fictional father called Earthos and his sons, Afris and Ameris. The author uses these conversations to show how African nations and the Americas have fared, having once been under European colonial rule.
I like that this book is not a sentimental analysis of what the author assumes is the problem. There are more than enough pieces of research to support the author's narrative. The practical examples the author cited are verifiable. There are two of them that I can personally confirm. One is the sabotage of the education sector through incessant strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). I have had to spend unnecessary periods out of school because of these strikes. The second one is the oil spill situation in Bodo. I have been to that place and it is a sorry sight to behold. The fact that what the author shares in this book is verifiable adds to the book's authenticity. The book might ruffle some feathers, but the truth has to be told.
There is absolutely nothing to dislike about this book. Therefore, I rate it a five out of five.
******
Nigeria: The Giant Leading The Race to Extinction
View: on Bookshelves