Nigeria’s Confusion: The Price We All Pay -By Richard Odusanya

One of the biggest challenges facing our nation is the deep confusion over the  interactions between important values and concepts. Too often, we mix them up,  misuse them, or fail to see their true meaning. Consider all the under listed: 

1) Schooling vs. Education– Degrees do not always mean wisdom. 

2) Piety vs. Mental Agility – Religious devotion should not replace clear  thinking. 

3) Negativity vs. Criticism – Pointing out faults can be constructive, not  destructive. 

4) Religion vs. Godliness – Faith practice should lead to righteous living. 5) Decorumvs. Grandstanding – True dignity is quiet, not showy. 

6) Honourability vs. Political Power – Leadership requires integrity, not just  position. 

7) Pride vs. Arrogance – Self-respect should never become contempt for  others. 

8) Holiness vs. Religions – A pure life transcends denominations. 9) Reason vs. Noise – Volume is not the same as wisdom. 

10) Privilege vs. Responsibility – Favour carries duty, not just benefit. 11) Real vs. Fake Persona – Authenticity outlasts pretence. 

12) Diligence vs. Cunningness – Hard work should not be replaced with sly  manipulation. 

Because of these confusions, too many things go wrong. Many of our public  figures are not true elites; they are miseducated, self-serving “street chiefs” who  enslave others, carry deep inferiority complexes, and thrive on noise. They  behave like Greek Idiots and Greek Tribalists. 

Sadly, many Nigerians don’t care about the country’s image so long as they are  personally comfortable. It’s our own version of “washing dirty linen in public,” but  here, it often comes with proudly displaying our ragged underwear for all to see. 

Until both leaders and followers rediscover decency, altruism, and a true sense of  national responsibility, we will keep paying the price for these confusions. The  hope is that we learn to set our values right – for ourselves, for our nation, and for  generations to come. 

In conclusion, bearing in mind the foregoing; it is not only disappointing but  unconscionable that our public office holders and private citizens are the major  contributors to the INDECENCY and OBSCENITY in our social space, as exemplified  by the viral videos currently playing in the public vis-a-vis: “Pekelemesi” “Kwam1,”  “Kwam2” and “Kwam3”. 

Richard ODUSANYA  

Public Affairs Analyst and Good Governance Advocate