Lately, I was caught in the middle of an argument during lunch. Amazed at the different passionate responses being flung across the cafeteria especially from usually ‘soft spoken’ colleagues, I joined in the heat. Note that we never really came to an agreement at the end but it got me thinking days after.
Why is the average Nigerian overly proud?
Several instances were stated – Nigerians boning each other at the airport, Nigerians in very expensive cars (rides that cannot even ply our pothole-ridden roads, looking like toy cars), Nigerians discussing their va-kay-shun plans with the hairdresser that won’t be seeing one in years to come...
We’ve either experienced this or been a part of it unconsciously. Looking at the questionable degree of success we have achieved since our independence, one would wonder what it is that makes us so proud of ourselves individually and funny enough, outside the country.
So, let me hear your thought.
What justification does the average Naija person have for the shakara (contemptuous pride) that he/she displays so eagerly?
