EVERY NIGERIAN TRIBE IS A SELF-HELP BOOK, WAITING TO BE READ

If you're a Nigerian or you know a Nigerian and you still hanker after self help books, you need to read this.

There are resources right at your fingertips that you have not taken advantage of. It may be that you are not aware of it or that you are so busy staying in your tribal cocoon that you only notice the negatives in the positives around you.

O, what a success you would be if you would appreciate the uniqueness in each of the Nigerian tribes.

Nigerian tribes are as different as night and day in their dressing, food and most especially their culture and traditions. In this diversity some have hinged their dislike and even hatred.

The culture and tradition of Nigerian tribes is reflected in their behaviour, attitudes and perceptions and ultimately, this spills over into their way of life.

With over 250 tribes to learn from, let’s just take a look at the 3 major Nigerian tribes. Let’s view their way of life through the lens of 5 of the most popular self development books in the world.

YORUBA = ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’

The life skills imparted into a Nigerian Yoruba child brought up in the true Yoruba way leaves them with expertise in the art of appreciating people, empathising with people and helping people. A  Yoruba child is taught, from an early age how to appreciate every little thing people do for them, they are taught how to be respectful at all times and they are taught how to be tactful in expressing their opinion regardless of the situation. They grow into experts in human relations and they succeed at it everywhere you find them. Their way of life is a practical study of Dale Carnegie’s bestselling book.

IGBO = ‘Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do’ + ’Who moved my Cheese?’

Looking back in Nigeria’s history, there has not been a tribe that experienced the kind of suffering that the Nigerian Igbo has. However, no tribe has shown the practical reality of Robert Schuller’s book like the Igbo. They went through the Biafran war and were almost annihilated but they bounced back and can be found doing business in every nook and cranny of Nigeria and in various parts of the world. The Igbo child is trained to use stumbling blocks as stepping stones; they are trained to be tough through tough times. 

The quintessential Igbo man is a combination of Sniff, Scurry and Haw in Spencer Johnson’s book. They are the 1^st to sniff out the cheese, go after it, notice when it’s getting old and adapt to change quickly. The Igbo culture celebrates foresight and their children are trained to hone that skill.

HAUSA = ‘The Art of Happiness’ + ‘Attitude is Everything’

Bona fide Nigerian Hausas, untainted by politics and religious bigotry, are gentle, calm and cooperative people. Regardless of a Hausa man’s life situation, he remains unflustered and nice. Their way of life is a summary of the Dalai Lama and Keith Harrell’s books. You find them smiling through the worst situations. From generation to generation, they’ve got the positive attitude down pat. Hausas are happy, no matter their lot in life.

Many of the skills we purchase books to learn are right beside us. 

By observing that neighbour, that friend, that classmate or colleague, instead of despising their differences, our learning could be made less complicated. By appreciating their unique character strength built from their training and upbringing, you could receive an impartation that will make your life a little easier and even more successful. 

In the life of every Nigerian resides several self-help books, just look and you'll learn so much.

Nigerians, appreciate your diversity, celebrate it and harness the inherent resources.