It is an indisputable fact that the myriad of problems in Nigeria today in the areas of politics, religion, security and economy are a reflection of dearth of good governance. There have been conceited efforts by pundits on means that could bring about a viable polity yet to no avail. The liberals have called for restructuring, while the radicals believe it is outright dissolution of the Union that can ameliorate the pauperisation, exploitation and crass dehumanisation of the citizenry. However, these suggestions have not addressed the trajectory of the problem, thereby, making them limited in addressing the issues.
This paper, therefore, examines the contributions of the famous Nigerian Afrobeat music maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, especially as it concerns the dehumanisation of the proletariat class by the elites in Nigeria. The song, "Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense" among others in Fela’s musical repertoire, was purposefully selected to interrogate the problematic. More so, the research adopted the hermeneutic, analytic, critical and reconstructive methods of philosophy in achieving its aim. While the method of hermeneutics helped in decoding and applying the deeply embedded messages in Fela’s music, the analytic method aided in clarifying concepts like humanism, governance, exploitation, dehumanisation, and oppression. The critical method was employed to examine hitherto attempts on same issue and finally the method of reconstruction helped to situate Fela’s relevance and efforts in addressing the issue of dearth of good governance in Nigeria. The work concluded that it is only when the political leadership responds to Fela’s call for class deconstruction would Nigeria witness the kind of governance that would transform the quality of lives of the citizenry.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Conceptual Clarification
3. Governance and Fela’s Humanism
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the contributions of the Nigerian Afrobeat musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti regarding the struggle against the dehumanization of the proletariat by the Nigerian political elite. By analyzing Fela’s song lyrics through philosophical methods, the research explores the intersection of humanist philosophy and the crisis of governance in Nigeria.
- Analysis of ethical humanism within the context of African communal values.
- Examination of the "crisis of governance" in Nigeria, characterized by corruption and institutional failure.
- Investigation of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s music as a medium of sociopolitical critique.
- Exploration of concepts like exploitation, oppression, and dehumanization in postcolonial governance.
- Evaluation of the necessity for authentic leadership and accountability to restore the quality of life for the citizenry.
Excerpt from the book
GOVERNANCE AND FELA'S HUMANISM
The term ‘governance’ was first widely used by the World Bank in 1989 due to the economic crisis experienced by sub-Saharan African countries in the face of the infamous structural adjustment programmes. It was observed that this crisis was as a result of the failure of public institutions. The term was used to describe the need for institutional reform and a better and more efficient private sector in sub-Saharan countries. To this end, governance can be defined as the exercise of political power to manage a nation’s affairs. Also, governance has been defined as the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels. For Ogunjobi, it embodies the mechanisms, processes and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligation and mediate their differences in all spheres of life. According to the perspective on African development, governance is at the heart of Africa’s developmental problem.
So, governance refers to the actual manner of exercising control or authority over the action of subjects. It can also be said to denote how people are ruled and regulated. In the strict sense of the term, governance is about power, relationships, and processes of representation and accountability – about who has influence, who decides, and how decision-makers are held responsible and accountable.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter highlights the crisis of governance in Nigeria and introduces Fela Anikulapo Kuti as a critical voice addressing political and social issues through his music.
2. Conceptual Clarification: This section defines the core concepts of 'humanism' and 'governance', emphasizing an ethical approach rooted in communalism and the specific context of African society.
3. Governance and Fela’s Humanism: This chapter provides a detailed analysis of how Fela's musical repertoire and activist philosophy serve as a critique of Nigerian political failures, including themes of corruption, lack of accountability, and the imitation of Western democratic models.
4. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the work, asserting that solving Nigeria's governance crisis requires moving toward authentic leadership and addressing the fundamental needs of the oppressed citizenry.
Keywords
Governance, Humanism, Oppression, Exploitation, Dehumanization, Nigeria, Afrobeat, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Accountability, Political Corruption, Democracy, African Communalism, Socio-political Reform, Leadership, Liberation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The research focuses on the intersection of humanism and the crisis of governance in Nigeria, specifically through the lens of Fela Anikulapo Kuti's music and activism.
What are the primary themes discussed in the paper?
The primary themes include structural political corruption, the dehumanization of the proletariat, the importance of accountability, and the call for authentic leadership in Nigeria.
What is the main research question or goal?
The work aims to examine how Fela's musical philosophy highlights the dehumanization caused by the Nigerian ruling elite and asserts that class deconstruction is necessary for meaningful governance reform.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The paper employs the hermeneutic, analytic, critical, and reconstructive methods of philosophy to decode the messages in Fela’s songs and analyze concepts of governance and human rights.
What topics are specifically covered in the main body?
The main body covers the definition of ethical humanism, the evolution of the concept of governance, indicators of good versus bad governance, and a critique of the Nigerian state using Fela’s lyrics as specific case studies.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include governance, humanism, oppression, exploitation, dehumanization, accountability, and the role of the African citizen in sociopolitical discourse.
How does the author define the "crisis of governance" in the Nigerian context?
The author identifies it as an existential problem characterized by corruption, electoral fraud, insecurity, poor infrastructure, and a lack of moral authority within public institutions.
What role does the song "Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense" play in the author's argument?
It serves as a primary source for Fela's critique of Western liberal democratic principles, which he views as "demonstrations of craze" that fail to address the unique needs of the Nigerian people.
How does Fela's philosophy relate to communalism?
Fela is presented as an advocate for traditional African communalism, where the individual is tied to the community and there is a shared responsibility for collective well-being.
What is the author's final conclusion regarding Nigeria’s future?
The author concludes that Nigeria will only experience positive, life-transforming governance if the political leadership adopts a genuine, authentic approach that prioritizes the welfare of the masses over self-interest.
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- Philip Edema (Autor:in), 2023, Humanism in the Music of Fela and the Dehumanization of the Nigerian Proletariat Class, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1396657
