The place of arts in the increasing burden of governance in Nigeria

Abstract

One of the dynamics of human society is power tussle alongside intricacies associated with the game of power. It is often said that the overall essence of politics and governance is to allow healthy and robust competition democratically within the civil society in all spheres of life and human endeavour. But key players in the political game over the years have neither the patience nor the will power to establish such. In contemporary period, insecurity of lives and properties have become a global concern in Africa, and in Nigeria so much so that it has become a recurring decimal. Terrorism, rape, abject poverty, starvation, diseases and extreme harsh conditions are threatening to exterminate the human population. In the light of these excruciating circumstances, coupled with the surging number of literature, music, films that decry the existing high level of insecurity and the paradox of power tussle; the place of Arts in the increasing burden of governance becomes a necessity. This paper takes a critical look at the leadership saga in Nigeria as captured in some selected Nigerian literary works, films and music and argues that a purposeful repositioning of the arts industry is a sure way of improving human and investment capacity  which in turn reduces the burden of governance. It suggests a way forward using Arts products and productions.

Keywords: Arts, Empowerment, Governance, Industries, and Repositioning