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Mr. Okey Jones Asuzu

Mr. Okey Asuzu hails from Ezinifite, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. A university of Jos Nigeria trained English graduate, he is a writer, journalist, teacher, commentator on African affairs as well as media consultant. Mr. Asuzu at the time of writing "The Politics of Being Nigerian" was based in Blantyre, Malawi, but now currently tours the world on promotions from Lagos, Nigeria. He aspires for a prejudice-free world, where all races are equal partners in the whole quest for human validation. For Africa that would cease being the 'sore' in the conscience of the world; and for Nigeria that would exploit to the fullest, its symptoms of development, in order to draw from and master its questions and demands of nation-building. ..You're therefore most welcome to explore the inner recess and logic of a black African concerned and piquied with the bizzare global politics where might is right; where justice and equity have undertaken and reflected identity character; where political correctness has become a function of color or tied to the apron strings and whims and caprices of the powerful and the influential. Global politics that seeks to mark down some and promotes others - warts and all; a community where majority eat from the crumbs off the table of the tiny, but powerful and influential minority; of the many hewers-of-wood-bread-bakers, but sidelined, and marginalized on-looking lot, in midst of plenty and affulence, but discouraged and tactfully, denied level-playing field. A world where some as a basic survival instincts, brand and view others from their position of weaknesses; while down-playing theirs and without scruples and qualms, apply divide-and-rule tactics in this exercise. My home country, Nigeria, for strategic and obvious reasons, are at the receiving end of this jaundiced, warped-up global politics of the survival-of-the-fittest on account of size, potential and resources. With generally undeniable role to play if the global powers that be acquiesce, she has systematically been programed to fail by forces both within and largely, without, uncomfortable in her potential ability to de-mistify the ultimate Western-foisted black myth - incapable and ungovernable. The local and international intrigues, subterfuge and power play by political actors in shaping or de-shaping the emerging political configuration in colonial and post-colonial Nigeria, has informed the thoughts and logic behind "The Politics of Being Nigerian". Mr. Asuzu in this book, clinically takes a hard look at his homeland, Nigeria Taking-in issues of Nigeria's stunted developmental progress in what has been referred to as "arrested development" of his dear country holding major stakeholders responsible and accountable and in the process, profers a viable, workable way-forward. The media coverage of Nigeria is also analyzed in this book with a view to situating the role of the international or Western Media in Nigeria's developmental problems. The motive behind every single of Western media coverage with few exceptions, of Nigeria (and Africa in general) are brought to the fore for the unwary reader/observer. The multifaceted book has space to take-on the perceived image problem of Nigeria where all the Nigerian stereotyping, perceptions, stigmatizations and sundry shenanigans by largely the international community are scrupulously exrayed with a view to establishing the credibility behind these points of views. The detracting contributions of the Nigerian black sheep is never left un mentioned in the process. Nevertheless, is Nigeria as a country guilty of all the allegations from the outsiders? Are all the hardworking, honest, responsible and largely eminent men and women of the largest black population in the world therefore guilty by identity just so as a result of the minority misbehavior? If it rivetingly provokes your thoughts and sense of decency, please pro-actively do something - positive and legal - about it. Enjoy! POSTSCRIPT: "Nigeria is so vast, so multi-layered and varied, so utterly complex and so totally eventful that there is never enough time to tackle more than a fraction of stories..." Anna Borzello, now former BBC Nigeria correspondent. Surely would this post Nigeria BBC reporting experience candor by Anna Borzello (Nigerian "Sunday Independent", December 18, 2005) not then have elicited objectivity, balance and restraint of reporting Nigeria from the dis-engaged British journalist? And if as she says..."there is never enough time to tackle more than a fraction of stories..." because Nigeria is so "eventful", is this self-confession not an indictment of the countless stories filed by Anna Borzello on Nigeria for BBC? This belated Anna Borzello self-indicting, Nigerian reporting confession must evidently form a path-way for the reader to unlocking the truth behind the labrinthine and journalistic maze of BBC World! It is important that dear reader understands the role she played for BBC reporting Nigeria, not least is more fractured Nigeria. Does it surprise to observe that this self-indicting confession was made not in Nigeria, but back in the comfort, drizzling, wintry London British home of Anna? Watch out for reviews, newspaper reports and general info on how "The Politics of Being Nigerian" is doing around the world. Coming your way soon!