The dwindling population of genuine role models in Nigeria (2)

I know that the temptation to have a big bank account and other trappings of material comfort may be very difficult to resist, especially if such benefits can be had easily just by associating with people that have the necessary financial wherewithal and “right connections.” Yet the Igbo saying that ezigbo aha ka ego (good name is superior to riches) captures a powerful existential insight about life which should guide individual conduct at every level.

Consider for a moment a society where respect and social prestige are uncritically accorded to wealthy individuals irrespective of the way they made their fortune, where a sizeable percentage of the population admire nouveaux riches even when the characters involved are known to be fraudulent. Such a society, without a doubt, will manifest symptoms of a community in decline. Nigeria, to be candid, is declining due to idolatry of undeserved wealth. Who and who are celebrated daily by a broad section of the masses, the media, traditional rulers, religious organisations and the intelligentsia?
In our churches and mosques, on whose behalf are special prayers offered regularly by the clergy? The answer to both questions is obvious – influential VIPs with highly questionable income profiles. Given this background, the frenetic quest for quick money especially by the youths, which has pushed some of them into armed robbery, advance fee fraud, kidnapping, prostitution and other nefarious activities, is a direct consequence of bad example from the elders.

Nigerian fans cheer their team during one of the 2013 African Cup of Nations matches

Some so-called eminent Nigerians parading themselves as voices of conscience and moral policemen are despicable human beings who cleverly concealed their evil deeds with active collaboration from the judiciary, top government officials, law enforcement agencies and the media. To make the point more explicit, a thorough examination of the conduct of most influential Nigerians would reveal sordid details of deceit, hypocrisy and corruption. Therefore our youths should be very careful in selecting role models or mentors, particularly if they do not have direct acquaintance or knowledge of the mentors.
Everyone should adopt a mixture of admiration and critical attitude towards a role model. In addition, whenever possible it is best for a protégé to interact personally with, or do a thorough background check on, the mentor. That way one would likely avoid the embarrassment and disappointment occasioned by the realisation that one had been admiring the wrong person all along.
Human beings are incurably fallible, which means that it is a grave mistake everywhere and every time for anyone to admire another human being to the point of becoming blind to that person’s weaknesses.. Clearly, the number of genuine and spiritually enlightened role models is declining very fast, and there is increasing proneness to hero-worship in most people.
That is why in Nigeria today, former military heads of state, ex governors and ministers, captains of industry and so on who ought to be in prison for nepotism, corruption and other grievous offenses are celebrated everywhere. Nothing betrays the negation of genuine honour and recognition by the Nigerian establishment more than the annual ritual of national honours awards by the federal government.
In a decent society, official award at the highest level is reserved and bestowed on personalities that provided exemplary service to the community. But in our own case, the whole thing is upside down: largely, it has been terribly bastardised by members of the ruling elite for self-aggrandisement and celebration of acolytes of dubious antecedents without any worthwhile contribution to the community.
The danger here is that recipients of national honours ought to serve as role models to the younger generation, since such recognition is a direct message to the citizens by government that anyone who behaves like so-and-so deserves to be acknowledged and honoured.
Unfortunately, by celebrating mediocres and people of questionable character either because they are (or served) in government and are highly connected to the corridors of power or are extremely wealthy, government is sending a wrong message to the people. Little wonder, as I reported at the beginning of our discussion, that Prof. Achebe rejected the national award twice.
Every society needs men and women of exemplary character to serve as mentors and role models for members of the community, especially the youths. This is because the human the brain is a model-creating and model-seeking biological machine. To act rationally and sanely we need, in addition to good models of the world around us but, very importantly, adequate exemplars of good conduct to model our behaviour as social beings. That said, it is essential to have a good idea of the qualities we should cultivate through emulation.
Personally, I admire knowledgeable people that manifest healthy disdain for wealth and power. I also respect iconic individuals like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Tai Solarin and Mother Theresa who sacrificed their own personal comfort for a life of service to humanity, a manner of being human that contradicts popular modes of existence. It follows that, to be a genuine role model one has to be courageous enough to challenge “the crowd” and resolutely pursue a course of action that transcends the self in a positive way.
A lifestyle of easy, indulgent materialism prevalent among the ruling cabal and business elite in Nigeria cannot be the foundation of positive transformation; which is why President Jonathan’s transformation agenda will not succeed because those executing the programme lack the necessary psychological, moral and spiritual attributes to do so.  As indicated already, it is important for those seeking role models or who have them already to be careful and circumspect.
There has never been, and there will never be, a perfect human being, given that all human beings are fallible. Tai Solarin and others mentioned a moment ago had weaknesses and made many mistakes while alive, but they cultivated exceptional qualities that stood them out from their peers.
Still, we need good people that our young ones could look up to and change from their evil ways, although the number of such people will continue to decline unless Nigerians cease to admire despicable characters with money and influence, and instead focus their admiration on extraordinary people of humility, integrity, compassion, discipline, and disdain for riches. CONCLUDED.