“A World Gone Soft” was the title of a feature article in one of the editions of The Economist that I came across while studying law at the University of Benin during the tech boom of the 1990s led by Microsoft.
The article wasn’t solely about Microsoft, if I remember correctly. Instead, it discussed how software would shape the future or how nearly every aspect of our lives would become so digitally “soft,” much like software. This was in 1997.
I was born in Ughelli in the early 1970s, a few years after the Nigerian Civil War ended in what was then the Midwest region of Nigeria. I consciously lived through the frenzy of the 1980s as a boy in the sleepy town of Agbarho, near Warri. This proximity to civilization allowed me to enjoy the thrills that black-and-white television provided daily, and I was deeply influenced by the otherworldly disco and rock music of the era that American pop culture exported to us in Bendel (Benin-Delta) State. At the same time, there was a significant movement among various Christian believers, who were paranoid about the end of the world—whether it be through a nuclear war or the second coming of Jesus Christ. These Christians, akin to Pastor W.F. Kumuyi’s followers, lived with a sense of urgency and often terrified people with graphic depictions of the hellfire that awaited anyone who died without adhering to their faith.
Reflecting on my life, I have traversed the innocence of childhood through a time of unprecedented prosperity, marked by Prof. Ambrose Alli’s implementation of free education at all levels. During that time, even primary school teachers were sponsored by the State Government to train in London on effective teaching methods, and all necessary textbooks and writing materials were provided free of charge to every student in Bendel State. May the Almighty God continually bless the memory of Prof. Alli.
I also experienced military coups, including three failed attempts. What a time it was as a primary school boy when the names of the heads of state changed from Shehu Shagari as Executive President to Muhammadu Buhari, clad in military uniform, as head of state. Later, the stern Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon showcased the soldiers’ discipline and brutality, instilling fear in the populace until the smile of the gapped-toothed soldier, Ibrahim Babangida, returned.
I have witnessed the transitions and transformations of numerous aspects of Nigeria. From the return to democracy to the introduction of GSM phones as status symbols, the rise of Nollywood, and the transformation of Nigerian music into a global trend, I have been present for it all. Yet, after experiencing all of this, which I consider a relatively short period because I can recall so much, my conclusion remains that the world has truly gone soft.
Who among my generation in 1985 would have thought it crazy that money has become “soft,” now stored as numbers in computers, with transactions conducted by typing words and figures into handheld devices? Social interactions, which are essential to life, have also gone soft. So too has entertainment and even making a living. It is a new economy where everything has gone soft—and so have we.
I still carry much of my childhood with me because fulfilling some of its dreams allows me to enjoy life. I like living a dreamlike life, which I sometimes find quite quaint. I sympathize with the African child who may find it challenging to pursue their dreams.
On every 17th of March, my birthday, I often indulge in my fancies. In 2019, I visited the Abba Museum in Stockholm to relive delightful memories by singing anthems in the surreal ambiance of disco lights and memorabilia. In 2022, I hosted a glamorous launch of Law Times on my birthday at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. God has a way of bringing people together to help me achieve my dreams. I have even held exclusive tea parties purely for the pleasure of it, embracing the continuation of life.
This year’s theme revolves around the individuals—both historical and contemporary—who have significantly influenced my philosophy. I plan to unveil the Law Times Heroes Arcade later today in my own distinct way.
Now, having passed the halfway mark in my life and perhaps entering the final third of my time in this dimension, these fancies shouldn’t solely be about me, yet they remain. Recently, I have shared gifts of money with several individuals, including those observing religious fasts, as a gesture of gratitude to the Almighty God.
I do not seek to impress anyone nor crave endorsements, but I strive to connect. If you resonate with my philosophy of life, please feel free to reach out, even in this world that has become so soft.
Feeling thankful….
Frank Tietie, Esq.
Lawyer & Executive Director,
Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER)
