The Rich and the Poor: The Place of Social Relationship in the Amelioration of the Human Condition -By Isaiah Ogedegbe

A Nigerian Pentecostal Archbishop, Dr Victor Ejuvwevwo Arikoro (JP) in his book [God At Crucial Moment. p. 2. Warri: Gina-Daf Prints, 2008. ISBN: 978-033-932-9] once wrote that: “There is an adage in Urhobo that says “Arie Odafe herhe ede r’ igho emomo” – that it is needful to establish good relationship with the rich man before the time of need”.

Similarly, Nkem Owoh, a popular Nollywood actor turned musician, several years ago asserted in his Nigerian pidgin song that: “Know me when am poor, not when I am rich, you claim relationship; know me when am poor, not when I am rich, to gain relationship; my father is your aunti brother, my great grandfather senior your mother, we come from the same village together, that time I no go remember”.

Both Archbishop Arikoro’s and Nkem Owoh’s assertions lend credence to the fact that for the rich to ameliorate the condition of the poor, the bridge of good relationship should have been built by the poor prior to the time of need. Their love should be seen to be genuine.