The Nigerian Scam The Nigerian Scam

Hello there. We've been on a health break. But we are still here. We still pod. We've got a new episode for you.



In our latest episode and the first of a new and exciting mini-series (henceforth WLNL) on the actually-existing Nigerian Left, we have a chat with Comrade Chido Onumah, a journalist and archivist, about the Socialist Library and Archive (SOLAR) Calabar, and its ongoing digitization project. We were curious to know, amongst other things, about the origins of SOLAR, their ongoing work, what lay behind the impulse of Comrades Eddie and Bene Madunagu handing over their Combined and Extended Library over to the Nigerian Left -- and, of course, what the gesture means in practical terms. Enjoy.





Links:

The SOLAR Website: http://socialistlibraryandarchives.org

Generations of the Nigerian and African Left – History and historicity, By Biodun Jeyifo https://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/606335-generations-of-the-nigerian-and-african-left-history-and-historicity-by-biodun-jeyifo.html?tztc=1

In light of the recent #EndHunger Protests around the country, we talked to one of the organisers and director of the #TakeItBack Movement ( @AyowoleSanyaolu ) to assess the politico-economic conditions leading up to the mass action, historic (in)actions of the Unions and its effects on the citizenry.

We also discussed possible actions that could reinvigorate mass consciousness and deepen on-the-ground political work towards a fundamental change.





Image Credit https://apnews.com/article/nigeria-protests-government-economy-inflation-2dcb6ec98716772b6630476e13880c82

In our latest episode, we examine the Vietnamese socialist project in a lighthearted conversation with Taofeek ( @afolxbi ), a young Nigerian communist who visited recently. Amongst the many things we looked to learn, we were curious to know if and/or how, decades after their protracted civil war, a 'unified' Vietnam is moving on. We also covered issues around attitudes towards (economic) development outside of the cities. The Vietnamese lesson (hammers & sickles), as you might find, is that an engaged citizenry is a vital component of nation building

Back from the January Hiatus, we discuss recent developments in the ongoing Ecowas crisis. Why is Ecowas in crisis? Were the junta run countries of the Sahel right to (ecow)exit the regional body? What is Ecowas actually good for? Should the body even exist?



Also, if you stay till the end of the show, you'll hear about our exciting new partnership (not with Wagner group, but...)



Photo credit: Africa Report

As a year end bonus, we decided to release this slightly controversial, somewhat theoretical debate we had about the pitfalls of 'independence' and the possibility that the very notion of a post-colonial nation-state -- i.e. national liberation -- was the foundational scam.

Is there anything to be said about the argument that independence was, in some cases, premature? Was there every a chance that even a revolutionary (petty bourgeois) anti-colonial leadership would commit 'class suicide' and give way to a popular democracy? Or was the seizure of the nation-state from imperialists by anti-colonial radicals always a doomed for mission?

Maybe we are asking the wrong questions here. Feedback welcomed.

In our final recording of the year, we consider a little-remembered institution that laid the foundation for many state-led scams to come: the colonial and post-independence era agricultural produce marketing boards.



We discussed why they were founded by the colonial state, why they became indispensable to the post-independence regional governments, how they (sort of) ended, and whether they are inherently fraudulent or can be repurposed. Enjoy... And happy holidays!





**The cover poster is one of a series of more than 200, commissioned and published by the British government's Empire Marketing Board between 1926 and 1933. The EMB's main functions were to research the production, trade and use of goods throughout the British Empire and to promote the idea of 'Buying Empire'. It organised poster campaigns, exhibitions and shop window displays, 'Empire shopping weeks', lectures, radio talks, school tours, and advertisements in the national and local press.

This image, by designer Gerald Pryse, shows an exotic and romanticised view of palm oil production in Nigeria. International trade in palm oil began in the early 1800s and became the principal cargo for slave ships after the abolition of the slave trade. The development of industry in Britain had increased demand for palm oil as a machine lubricant, and trade increased rapidly. As people in Europe began to take sanitation and hygiene more seriously, demand for soap also increased, resulting in the production of oil for soap manufacture by companies such as Lever Brothers. In the early 1870s, exports of palm oil from the Niger Delta totalled about 30,000 tonnes per year. In 1897, competition for control of Nigeria's oil production resulted in the British raid on the Nigerian kingdom of Benin, and the notorious looting of the Benin bronzes. By 1911, British west African territories exported 87,000 tonnes, and Nigeria remained the world's largest exporter of palm oil until 1934.

The Empire Marketing Board was closed down in September 1933, partly as a result of government cuts, although colonial governments had also proved reluctant to join it. Manchester Art Gallery was given an almost full set of the posters in 1935. Produced by some of the best artists and designers of the day, they were collected by the gallery as an example of outstanding British design and many are visually stunning. However, seen from today's perspective, their promotion of an imperial world view and use of stereotypical images of people and places makes for often uncomfortable viewing.

This information was provided by curators from Manchester Art Gallery.***