Thursday, November 1, 2007

This got to me.....I'll tell you why

I read this article in the guardian today, and it made me sad. The way people always see things with their "monetary" eyes, baffles me. Every single thing in that country has to be reduced to "money". It is no wonder that people do not bother with the arts anymore. When creativity is reduced to that,then you understand that we suck, big time. I have no idea how the national flag was created, I never knew who created it, and would never have known, were it not for this article. Just the fact, that I do not know and never bothered is a shame. So I went through 6 years of primary school and nobody thought to include it in any of our social studies books? Now, I think who ever came up with that flag, no matter its simplistic or drab nature should at least be written about. Money? I do not know, but as the writer remarked, if we can spend so much money honoring footballers with names of streets in our capital city, then, please!. Well, I did not really care much about the flag maker but the article is a good one. Read it if you have the time.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Should the person who designed the flag be recognized? Of course. Is the flag a work of art? No, but the writer of the editorial would have you think it is a masterpiece. Look at the flags of the world and you will find many others that also use the three vertical panel template. Italy's is actually quite similar . . . Making the two outer panels green and the middle white, no matter how meaningful those colours and their order may be to the country, does not a work of art make.

Waffarian said...

@Patrice, heheheheh "masterpiece" hehehehehe, you are funny.

Anonymous said...

"Give honor 2 whom honor is due" Read both articles and not quite sure what kind of honor the latter wants us to give. Seems d man has already received monetary compensation. Abi he wants us 2 give him pension? Even Michealangelo no chop pension bcos of David or Sistine Chapel. He got a commission & the rest of the honor came from d "artwork" speaking 2 generations.

We have reduced art 2 merchandising , where d only valid compensation is monetary. No wonder most of the music et. al r just absolute crap!

Anu boy said...

word Ibilola, correct talk there

Waffarian said...

@ibilola: You are right, but at the same time, Nigerians attitude when it comes to our cultural heritage is quite irritating. I am not saying the flag is the perfect example for the cause, but the writer did bring up some valid points. As Patrice said, the flag is no masterpiece, but it is the general attitude of the Nigerian government and public that makes me sad.

For the love of me said...

I think that Nigerians have and are embracing the arts, the average nigerian is quite proud and ready to promote anything that is positive about nigeria and the Arts is one huge aspect, Perhaps the govt's attitude is the problem, but then govt attitude is the problem in almost every sphere. That said, some Nigerians also expect too much from the govt. The late coach(shame on me I cant remember his name)who won us the cup recently, was paid 1million and given a house in Abuja (apart from his salary)after he brought home the victory,but his wife still said the govt should have flown him abroad when he was ill.The govt can only do so much. This flag man has been settled, we appreciate the fact that he desingned our flag but can he kindly close this case. I first heard him years ago on news line when it was still presented by Frank Oliseh.That's quite a long time.

Pixgremlin said...

Note: I meant to write, "Brother's girlfriend!" (My brother would kill me for that!!

Waffarian said...

akin said...

It's interesting that you brought up this topic. I was showing my brother's girlfriend an interesting news piece about James Ibori on the BBC website:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7074573.stm

No doubt, it got me into a rant: I mean, how do you, a former governor, make all that money?

And don't get me started about the roads in Niaja!!

Waffarian said...

@akin: no worry, I don correct am for you!