One of the common refrains in Nigeria today is the popular yet erroneous belief that Nigerian multifaceted problems stemmed from bad leadership. It is one of the many prejudiced popular accounts of the goings-on in Nigeria. History and evidence have shown that Nigerians, as the author of this book argued, are ‘bad students of history’. This is the gap which the author of this masterpiece sought to bridge with this treatise, a gap between ignorance and knowledge.
This book is another holistic diagnosis of the Nigerian predicament from ancient times until the present. The book portrays the complicity of Nigerians in causing and normalising the current political, social and moral decay in the country. It exposes the reader to the under-discussed and ignored parts of the long and inglorious history of Nigeria. The stories the reader will come across in this book are not the regular ‘prejudiced accounts’ which have become widely accepted as the authentic accounts of the events that transpired in Nigeria but the silenced narratives. John Walker Adetunji-Adeoye argued (with a rich narrative style and relevant examples obtained from extensive readings, private investigations and insightful observation of events) that Nigerians are, contrary to popular perception, responsible for the Nigerian predicament.
The book, being in series: The Prequel, Precedence of Doom, illuminates the historical backgrounds of the socio-political malaise of the country. The roots and metamorphosis of socio-cultural and political factors such as bad leadership, irresponsible followership, widespread poverty, inadequate security systems, barbaric cultural practices and beliefs, ethnic and religious divisions, amongst others that have hindered the growth and progress of the country, are extensively discussed. The sequel, Haven for Financial Crimes and Corruption, is an acerbic commentary on the total collapse of the country’s economy. Fraud, corruption, embezzlement, tax evasion and other financial crimes being perpetrated by the leaders and citizens of the country are thoroughly examined in this interesting sequel.
The book is a page-turner and the type that bridges the gap between ignorance and knowledge. I recommend it to every Nigerian. Yes, every literate Nigerian must read this masterpiece that vividly portrays the average Nigerian’s contributions to the social anomie in the country. And maybe by reading (and re-reading) it, he or she might realise that the much-needed changes begin with him/her.
It is already a candidate for my Book(s) of the Year!
You can get your copy via the link below.