Of the several conceptual errors plaguing my generation, the complete disregard for quality journalism is irksome. Shall we take a test? If you are reading this and you are aged 25 – 45, please ask your friends and associates if they know of and read/listen to the following seasoned political pundits: Idowu Akinlotan, Sonala Olumhense, Tatalo Alamu, Dr Tony Marinho and Babjide Kolade Otitoju. Indeed, we have many influential thinkers, but I consider these men economic, intellectual and social assets and I think many reform-oriented people will agree with me. They offer brilliant and balanced insights into some of our most biting challenges and illuminate ways to draw up blueprints for our much-desired “new society”. To be clear, I do not always agree with Mr Otitoju, but he is undoubtedly perspicacious, offers contextual explanation, and oftentimes is delightful to watch.

You may write to tell me what you found, but I doubt the results are positive. For the sake of argument, if I haven’t mentioned someone you consider worthy, I am sure he/she is sound, but the point here is that most young Nigerians are likely unfamiliar with their work. So this isn’t really about the names or my preferences, it’s about our prevalent culture of indifference. 

Not only do young Nigerians waste too much time on frivolities like that show everyone was recently raving about, most of us, even those who might qualify as socioeconomically or politically aware pay undue attention to pseudo-intellectuals, who waffle and bluster all the while offering nothing constructive except peddle ridiculous notions and fan misguided debates.  Most of them merely rant, though some take it a step further and inform but they do not advise or offer practical approaches to rehabilitating Nigeria. Some of them outright circulate inferior information.

I must admit that the more important problem is how the majority of young Nigerians find these charlatans, who possibly should be the textbook example of the Dunning Kruger effect appealing. This obtuse taste lends sudden clarity and profound meaning to the saying ‘A people deserve the leadership they get’ and is predictably why we will have a lot of trouble developing. I think the impact of alarming levels of corruption, political and executive incompetence, though critical, will be minimal in comparison with our poor political and social consciousness as a group. Remember that the power of politics is the people.

Except we intend to become the world republic for entertainment (I am not saying there is anything wrong with that), but a great nation requires innovation and if we want to compete successfully, we need capacity (institutional, physical and human). Already, we are behind on the most critical frontiers of innovation; software and pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, production of communications equipment, data acquisition and processing, semiconductors, aerospace and so forth, despondently grappling with myriad fundamental problems. For context and or emphasis, we still do not have constant electricity supply, in 2020. 

Our institutions are crumbling, authorities are perversely corrupt, essential services have been stripped bare, faith in the whole Nigerian experiment is evaporating, yet we are so indifferent; one could liken our attitude to golfing under a volcano.

I am sure we can all agree that for us to move forward we need to understand what is going wrong, which is where we need thought leaders who can catalyze valuable debates and model critical thinking. Most of us are ignorant of economic fundamentals but Economists, political scientists and indeed elected officials and other relevant public servants are going to articulate policies that will affect our lives and the lives of our children. While we do not necessarily need to understand the nitty gritty of political economics, we must not fly blind either.

We are bearing the painful brunt of past economically illiterate policies, which to me, means that we must all strive to understand the makings of good policy and agitate for what we consider beneficial. We want a functional democracy, vigorous, sustainable industries and institutions, as well as leaders who will pursue technocratically elegant policies that can create jobs and revitalize communities. Yet we seem to be psychologically kicking the can down the road, hoping for some extraordinary intervention. Many of us want Nigeria to be a great place to make a living and to make a life, but creating that Nigeria requires some brave thinking and bold decisions. Brave thinking requires some fuel, the kind you will not get from synaptically challenged, toady individuals.

There are many experts with differing views and I am not suggesting that only the ideas that command expert consensus are good ideas. Also, I acknowledge the need to respect free will, particularly in these unparalleled times, and so I wish to emphasize that it isn’t my intention to foist my preferences on other people. I therefore, hope you will purposefully screen and select a person/organization that can help you identify the most crucial policy issues and understand the steep political and socioeconomic challenges confronting our Nation.

Whomever you choose, I think you should try to avoid those who rousingly serve you a bunch of generic platitudes and dazzle you with woke sentiments. You don’t want a performer or someone who will impose their own skepticism or personal pathologies on you. By all means, avoid those who willingly mount heresy hunts or validate the authoritarian and exploitative legacies of some sociopolitical factions. You want people who can inspire approaches to knowledge, stimulate positive, constructive habits of mind, and teach political and socioeconomic procedures that will create sustainable, multigenerational improvements.

If you decide to choose one of the people I have suggested, that’s great. I realize that this endeavor takes time and requires some effort and if you must select one: I recommend Idowu Akinlotan. If you have space for two: Idowu Akinlotan and Sonala Olumhense.  

To those who consider themselves sophisticated thinkers and merely criticize those who aren’t actively engaging with quality journalism, let me remind you that when civic life becomes degraded, everyone is affected- everyone, including the so-called sophisticated.

I also think that the structured media have a role to play. In the age of all manner of newfangled media, it is easy for many people to become distracted. However, veteran journalists can expertly tell the difference between ersatz journalism and the real thing and I think they have a responsibility to formulate approaches to enlighten or guide the masses.