The inauguration of Nigeria’s new Federal Executive Council on Wednesday, the 11th of November, led to a variety of reactions from Nigerians, the good, bad, and funny. First came the congratulatory messages on social media, then came some criticisms questioning the competence of some ministers in relation to their portfolios, then the floodgates opened and the memes poured out.
It is a known fact that Nigerians have high expectations for the new Ministers and so they would be criticised daily, but the people took things up a notch when they started recommending books for the Ministers to read with the #ReadingListNG tag on social media. It was almost as if they said, “Yes we’ll criticise you. But first, here’s some assistance.”
Started by popular Nigerian journalist, Tolu Ogunlesi, #ReadingListNG was a Twitter Nigeria trend throughout Thursday, November 12th.
An idea: how about a reading list for the new Cabinet. Recommend books or articles using #ReadingListNG. Incl name of Minister, & title/link
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) November 12, 2015
Here are some of the best recommended books for Nigeria’s new cabinet.
1. Book – Reforming The Unreformable
Author – Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
I think every Minister should get a copy of @NOIweala 's Reforming the Unreformable https://t.co/ucx7g8IZXC #ReadingListNG
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) November 12, 2015
2. Book – The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World
Author – Daniel Yergin
@toluogunlesi For Fashola and Kachikwu in their pursuit of our domestic energy security #ReadingListNGpic.twitter.com/ZfMbnLcP5U
— Seun Smith (@seunsmith) November 12, 2015
3. Book – From Third World to First: The Singapore Story – 1965-2000
Author – Lee Kuan Yew
From a 3rd world to 1st The Singapore Story-1965-2000 For all the Ministers #ReadingListNGhttps://t.co/9mxHz3OPmkhttps://t.co/6EU1W00or5 — Dolapo Aina (@DolapoAina) November 12, 2015
@toluogunlesi 3rd World to 1st World~ Lee Kuan Yew. #ReadingListNG
— Femi Azubuike (@fazubuike) November 12, 2015
4. Book – The Age of Intelligent Cities: Smart Environments and Innovation-for-all Strategies
Author – Nicos Komninos
@toluogunlesi The Age of Intelligent Cities: Smart Environments & Innovation-for-all Strategies by Nicos Komninos. For BRF. #ReadingListNG
— Mark Onuchi (@Markpoet) November 12, 2015
5. Book – Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
Author(s) – Daron Acemoğlu and James A. Robinson
Why Nations Fail. For Udo Udoma #ReadingListNG https://t.co/4hGI1GJvuP
— E. Egbejule (@EromoEgbejule) November 12, 2015
"Why nations fail". To be read by all Ministers. Especially @tundefashola #ReadingListNG https://t.co/iAFZIgHeqA
— Naija Facts (@9jaGbam) November 12, 2015
6. Book – The Myth Of The Strong Leader: Political Leadership in the Modern Age
Author – Archie Brown
@toluogunlesi The Myth of a Strong Leader, Archie Brown, for @Mbuhari #ReadingListNG https://t.co/xbNkf8lWxf
— Oluseun l #OpenNASS (@seunonigbinde) November 12, 2015
Other recommended books included, “The Accidental Public Servant” by Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, “Eat That Frog!: Get More of the Important Things Done – Today!” by Brian Tracy, “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck, “Who Moved My Cheese: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life” by Spencer Johnson, and “How Asia Works: Success and Failure in the World’s Most Dynamic Region” by Joe Studwell amongst others.
