Democracy Versus Tradition - Nigeria

April 1999
Nigeria is a nation divided. It's the great Nigerian paradox that the arid, resourceless north enjoys wealth, stability, and the patronage of government while the oil rich Delta in the South is a land of anarchy and poverty. The division is a recipe for discontent.

Northern Nigeria is a vision of Islamic civilisation. In ornate robes the Muslim faithful bow and scrape in the traditional Emir's court. Since independence this educated northern elite has kept a stranglehold on power as successive corrupt military governments have plundered the Christian south of it's oil riches. Now chronically under-developed the Delta region is set to explode. "Oil is conflict, oil is war!" says Oronto: one of a new breed of militant activists who have turned to violence to get a slice of the profits. Obasanjo can no longer keep a lid on the south's problems with brute force. His civilian government will need more than a change of uniform to bring Nigeria back from the brink.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

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[aljood1981]

see it

they are showing us,the darkest part of africa and nigeria,,,,,,,,,,,,,and at the same time supporting devisions

i will make it clearer

1:  they showed a brighter part of christainity

2: mispresented and showed darkest side of the north (muslim dominated area)

3: they alwys wanna keep us devided as to have a chance to steal our wealth

4: they sing d song that we are blacks corrupted and so...........

[Killayut]

Emirs, obas and what ever traditional rulers shouldnt be allowed any place in the modern governmental system of Nigeria... they use the NIGER DELTA MONEY TO ENRICH their emir and oba stools.. THIEVES.

[ukusapillage]

the way blacks blame everything on whites even though theres no whites there is laughable rssss

[ukusapillage]

another black failed state... surprise surprise

[Omilaje]

@aljood1981 As you claim that the "white" people are dividing and ruling you, then something must be wrong with you "black" people.

[Omilaje]

@aljood1981 I do not know how you come about your analysis. I have to say that it is the dumbest thing to say. And those people thumbing you up are equally as daft as yourself. Do you want to say the report is false? Your "wealth" that is "supposedly" being stolen, who are those stealing it? Are you telling me and the whole world that the "Oyinbos" are not paying for it? Common "black" man, use your sense.

[oIuwalogbon58]

democracy lol good 1 guys but 9ja has never been democratic and never will be we lack the brain power to build a prosperous society based on democratic ideals and values

[londoners100]

nigeria is a banana republic....

[amatyable]

The corrupt leader were allowed ibe the nations because of sabotage. If the oil is refined in this country, these thing will not happen. The western countries had non of some of these in nigeria yet their homes are developed. Are nigerians not fools? The hausa are inteligent that was why i think they are supported to claim the thing which is supposed to be yours and they are ready to overthrow any one who tries to go across their interest. Who has the hausas and the yourubas?

[michaeljureidini]

Hey guys, look up and buy the book forces of changing traditions by andrew beckford. It is good I think. You may see some similarities of what happen in the United Kingdom to what is happening in your country. It is a novel that looks on race, class and changes of society. Google it or youtube it. It is good.

[umudda]

this poor nations is based on coruption and the western world left a stain of disintegration among the people of nigeria since the land was unevenly divided from colonial time with the north being the largest part of the country. The many different ethnic groups leads ethnic loyalty and further leader to disintegration throughout the nation. The military also rules the country since they can overthrow any gov't that is in power at the time.... this is so sad :(