Seeing me pose with my flowing ‘agbada’, my friend teased me if I have joined Nollywood but I quickly reminded him that in my native language, civilian government is called ‘Ijoba Alagbada’. This is me, standing with my country in this election week.
Nollywood has done so well. Headquartered in Nigeria, Nollywood is the fastest growing movie industry in the world and the second largest after Hollywood, headquartered in the United States of America.
Nollywood has a lot in common with Hollywood, not necessarily in storylines and local content but in the system of government of their host countries. If you see the political class in Nigeria modeling America, now you know why.
Imitation is an acceptable tool in politics and governance. Only that the full benefit of imitation may elude you if you only wish for the gain but not the pain. Example is when you borrow from America but choose to do it the Nigerian way. Call it Hollywood in Nollywood.
Bicameral legislature is an American model. Only that the quality of engagement in the upper and lower chambers in America, after inauguration, is more of governance than politics.
If it is true that politics rates higher than governance at both chambers in Nigeria, even after inauguration, then the actors are acting Hollywood in Nollywood.
The federal system of government provides for three arms with equal powers, where the legislative arm makes laws, the judicial arm interprets the laws and the executive arm executes the laws.
Those who equate the powers of the legislature and judiciary with that of the executive arm in my home country are good at acting Hollywood in Nollywood. We are not there yet. We are just on our way.
Someone said America has changed currency a few times without hassles. Another even reminded me that the United Kingdom is undergoing currency redesign currently, with the passage of the Queen and the ascendancy of the King.
They probably forgot that our reason for redesigning our currency is not the same as those they mentioned. Is it the first time we would be changing currency in Nigeria? What changed?
Cashless we must go, even when the basic infrastructures are lacking. With power problem largely unresolved, internet connectivity in epileptic form, how seamless can cashless be if not by acting Hollywood in Nollywood?
In a federal system, the states are federating units with fiscal responsibility, where the states generate their funds, legislate on their affairs and develop at their pace.
Our governors have been talking tough, bent on taking what belongs to them by force. Power, they say, is not served a la carte. They offer to be the voice of hapless Nigerians whose interest they were elected to protect.
Once they’ve spoken and twice we have heard. Only that they don’t raise these voices whenever their interest is well protected. They are good at acting Hollywood in Nollywood.
Nigeria is on the march again, looking for Mr President. May the best candidate win and may Nigeria know progress.
To my esteemed followers, please take this as notice that #akinjnrdiary and I will be off air for a little while. The next time we meet here, congratulations to the newly elected president will be in order.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
©️Akin Oluwadare Jnr.
20 February 2023
