The decay in our society has permeated through all the structures and values that were instilled in children by parents back in the day, no longer hold water now.

Bad guys win and good guys serve the bad guys. This tweep sheds light on the issues that surround integrity and its non-existence in politics and families in today’s Nigeria.

Very good read.

"Airline Intervention Fund" is a technical term for money that is stolen and distributed among the executives of Nigerian local airlines.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

Can we pause for a second and consider the truly staggering absurdity of a private industry demanding a bailout from government.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

We need a Boli Intervention Fund. It is totally warranted. Boli sellers are as critical to Nigeria as airlines, you can't tell me nuffing.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

There is a real argument to be made that the boli industry touches more lives than the airline industry. Yes. https://t.co/Skq5PeNIf1

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

This is what "doing business" is in Nigeria for far too many. Get your racket on. Get your line in the budget. You are made.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

The shit is not compulsory. If it isn't working, close shop and go. Bankruptcy is a very important part of a healthy capitalist system.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

This thing isn't just about missing money here and there. That is bad enough. It is a system that has corroded the v/ foundation of society.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

We raise kids by saying things like: "Work hard pays." Or "study hard and you'll be successful." Or "honesty is the best policy." And so on.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

Do these aphorisms mean anything in Nigeria? It is obviously more useful to tell a kid to "Shine your eye" or "No time for dulling" etc.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

Which are necessarily ambiguous enough to escape the condition that the "eye-shining" should be within a framework of acting with integrity.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

Growing up the concept of "The family name" was a real thing. I remember popsie and momsie beating me to shit because I was caught stealing.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

Stealing was bad, but soiling the family name was the real crime. That was the thing that really, really upset them. I can never forget.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

So I am a fiduciary of something honourable and extremely precious that was before me and that must be passed on to my children.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

Blasting at school was important thing. But it was nothing compared to things like not stealing, picking up litter, discipline etc.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

I think this had something to do with a traditional value system that was intertwined with the teachings of the missionary churches.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

I had been thoroughly marinated in values like: discipline, integrity, honour, responsibility, etc before I ever understood money.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

And here's where it gets twisted. My parents thought they were preparing us kids for a good life, but the ground they stood on shifted.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

The Nigeria they knew (or at least thought they did) changed. All these values receded and, in some cases, vanished completely.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

The value system we have is at odds with what is around us. Even as I say it, things like integrity, responsibility seem silly.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

Even I am rolling my eyes ("Na who integrity don epp"). For so many this must be the same thing, right, being "good" is stupid!

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

The very church that was foundational for a lot of these values I was brought up with doesn't, for the most part, preach this anymore.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

The social contract I was raised to believe in is broken. Fuck your hard work, fuck your integrity, fuck your "doing it the right way."

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

We will do it "the Nigerian way" The winners aren't the honest guys. They are the guys cutting corners, lying, cheating and stealing.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

This is what these kids know. This is the Nigerian dream. It is not all that "bullshit" my parents taught me–integrity, blah, blah, blah.

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016

Really, "Who integrity don epp?" Seriously, who? [END]

— gidimeister (@gidimeister) September 8, 2016