Johnson Babalola
@jbdlaw/@jbandthings
I did my primary school in Ijare, my beautiful hometown in Ondo state, Nigeria. Living with my grandmother at the time before her death taught me so much. She was hardworking, calm, and generous. Although uneducated, she was my first teacher in leadership. She would calmly make her points without raising her voice or engaging in arguments. One day, an older relative, ZA, had sent me on an errand, adding that I should stay there until the individual he sent me to, agreed to his request.
My grandmother, Yeye, as we called her, overheard and stopped me from going, informing ZA in Yoruba that, “omo olomo lan ran nise de torutoru” (you only send another man’s child on errands with the instructions not to return until the purport of the errand is fulfilled even if it warrants staying till night).
That was the first time I heard that proverb. Curious, I asked Yeye what it meant. She smiled and explained that people would generally encourage the children of others to embark on tasks they would shield their own children from. That stayed with me. I have heard and used that proverb many times since then, including before and during the ongoing protests in Nigeria.
Like many Nigerians, I belong to many social media platforms where Nigerian political situations and other issues are constantly discussed. I have concluded that many of them are set up for selfish purposes. Nigeria and Nigerians are currently going through a tough time economically. The citizens must speak up. They have every right to protest peacefully about the economic hardship they are going through so that some of the negative actions and inactions of the government at every level will be revisited or addressed. This is important. What should never happen is any protest that will visit hardship on any citizen or lead to the destruction of private and public properties.
On many platforms are people I refer to as wolves in sheep’s clothing. A few days before the start of the protest, I was added without my consent to a new WhatsApp group with hundreds of others. As I would normally do, I stayed to understand the relevance of the group before exiting. Then, the Convener started whipping up emotions against the government, encouraging those on the platform to go on the streets to protest. I first thought he was sincere about his interest to see Nigeria do well until he started selling face caps and T-shirts, he recommended for people to wear during the upcoming protest at the time. This became his focus, and it quickly dawned on me that his aim was to make money. I was also expecting him to be a part of the protest when it started. Three days into the protest, I have not seen his video or the video of his family members partaking in the protest. A clear case of sending the children of others to protest while shielding his own.
On many social medial platforms I belong to, we have individuals who were very vocal that the protests must happen or continue. They make good and not-so-good, partisan and non-partisan arguments about why the protests must happen or continue. When reminded of the possibility of the protest being hijacked by hoodlums, they wouldn’t have it, saying, “we must die, if need be, fighting for our country.” Hmmnnn, then I checked their backgrounds. Most of them live outside Nigeria and have their families in the UK, Canada, US, etc. The few in Nigeria are writing from the comforts of their homes in Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Kano, etc. When I asked them if they would participate in the protest, they would either go quiet or dodge the question.
When the protests started, I asked if they or their family members were on the streets protesting. They went quiet. When the protests became violent in some parts of the country, they were quiet also. Some, though, continue to justify the violent nature of the protest while they and their family members are safe in foreign countries or in the comfort of their homes in the country. A clear case of sending another person’s children on errands while shielding their own.
You also find politicians and others exploiting the innocence of the young, the ill-informed, and the uneducated to turn peaceful protests into violent ones for selfish reasons. Some of the children on the streets carrying placards have no insight into the meanings of what are written on them. This clearly, too, is a case of sending other people’s children on errands they wouldn’t send their own children on.
We all have a stake in Nigeria and its welfare. We must understand that our rights are precious, but the rights of others and public buildings are also precious. We must use our free speech responsibly. We must not engage in actions or use words that will cause mayhem in the country. It is important that writers, especially on social media and media platforms, engage in discussions that will educate Nigerians to elect leaders who are communicative, knowledgeable, selfless, and not corrupt, focusing on local government, legislative positions, governorship, and the presidency. We all have a duty to make public awareness about the importance of electing responsible people into positions our primary focus, taking such messages to religious places, academic institutions, etc. Those who have the interest of Nigeria at heart must come together, raise funds and be committed to nonpartisan information dissemination about the civic duties of citizens and how to shun corrupt individuals at the polls.
The importance of both citizen and leadership responsibility in nation-building cannot be overemphasized. Leaders, whether in government or community settings, should make tough decisions that yield positive outcomes that can be measured with a human face. They should not spend public money indiscriminately or irresponsibly but should instead be fiscally responsible by managing public funds prudently, ensuring that expenditures are made efficiently and effectively, and avoiding wasteful or unnecessary spending. This concept is central to good governance and public accountability, emphasizing the careful stewardship of public resources to serve the best interests of the community. Leaders should respect the constitutional right of citizens to protest peacefully, not exploit the vulnerable or send others to do what they would not have their own do. True leadership involves integrity, transparency, and a commitment to the common good.
As citizens, we must hold the leaders and ourselves accountable. We should engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue and protest responsibly, understanding the impact of our actions on others. We must be vigilant and discerning, supporting genuine movements for change and rejecting those with selfish motives.
In building a nation, it is a collective effort. Each person’s contribution matters, and by working together with honesty and dedication, we can create a Nigeria that is just, prosperous, and united. May Nigeria be healed and made whole through good leadership and followership.
*Johnson Babalola, a Canada based lawyer, leadership consultant and corporate emcee, is a public affairs analyst. Follow him for discussions on real life issues that affect us all:* https://substack.com/@johnsonbabalola https://medium.com/@jblawyer2021 https://www.facebook.com/jbandthings
IG: @jbdlaw Website: www.johnsonbabalola.com
*You can obtain a copy of his book, REJECTED on Amazon, FriesenPress, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Apple Books, Nook Store etc*