Description
LOST DREAM Peter Nandi Bette’s Nigeria’s Lost Dream is an easy-to-read and accessible narrative of the author’s reflections on what can be described as the Nigerian predicament.
Mr. Bette has used the lenses of a competent social observer, commentator and journalist in interrogating the various aspects of Nigeria’s history from independence to the contemporary time. As he explains in the Introduction to the work, the chapters in Nigeria’s Lost Dream had been published in the EAGLE NEWSPAPER, based in Calabar, Cross River State, between 2014 and 2016.
Mr. Bette maintained a column, Straight Talk, under which banner he published the articles contained in this book. By assembling his contributions over time into a single collection, Bette is able to harmonise the streams of his thoughts over the period. He is thus able to link the logic of his reflections and social commentary in a single volume. Through this present volume he will be able to reach a wider audience, including those of us who had no opportunity of reading his column in the EAGLE NEWSPAPER due to the logistics associated with newspaper circulation.
One interesting thing with Nigeria’s Lost Dream is that the author weaves together a cluster of subjects, history, poetry, literature and politics. Bette is able to draw out subliminal messages from ordinary language statements as to make them weightier than they appear. In Chapter 6 of the book, Bette writes:Besides corruption, so much murky water passed under a shaky bridge during the years of the military occupation. The freest and most peaceful election ever organized in the annals of the nation’s history, which held on June 12, 1993, was mischievously annulled by a junta that wanted to perpetuate itself in power.
The situation was so tense that a retired General Obasanjo had to be brought from prison to navigate Nigeria out of the stormy seas. Here, Mr. Bette’s perception resonates with the anti-corruption efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) since he came into office on May 29, 2015. In a majority of the chapters in Nigeria’s Lost Dream the author projects like the conscience of the society.
As a columnist, Bette communicates his messages with the candour of someone who holds a permanent chair in a town hall meeting, addressing Nigerians, particularly the leadership of the country. “Nigeria’s Lost Dream is an easy-to-read and accessible narrative of the Author’s reflections on what can be described as the Nigerian predicament.” – Prof Oshita Oshita“This is a first class piece of Journalism. The work is very topical if controversial, certainly compelling, and professionally assembled. ” – Dillibe Onyeama, Author of “Nigger at Eton” and CEO of Delta Publications (Nigeria) Ltd.“Nigeria’s lost Dream is a collection of well-articulated, incisively written, and extensively researched features articles on topical socio-political issues that have impeded the steady development of the Nigerian nation since independence.
It is a compelling read for all.” – Col Tony Nyiam (rtd)“An intellectual voyage through the turbulent waters of nationhood of the country called Nigeria. Nigeria’s Lost Dream should be every patriot’s companion.” – Dianabasi Effiong, South/South Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Port Harcourt.“Nigeria’s Lost Dream is a thorough presentation of the crux of the Nigerian ‘National Question’. The subject matter in each chapter is clinically presented in free-flowing language. The book is highly commended to all Nigerians.” – Barr Sam Adda, Attorney General, and Commissioner for Justice, Taraba State.
