Nigerians simply love celebrationsto live in the public eye, and to constantly drive perceptions of gaiety. In spite of the agonising grind of daily living, the average Nigerian surprisingly carries on with a good cheer; a nothing spoil attitude, in typical Nigerian patoisthe sort that once qualified us as the happiest people on earth.Perhaps, mild celebrations achieve their purposeto announce joy. Joy when achievements are made or milestones are attained. Gold takes some digging and when the individual feels sufficiently drained in the exertion of hard work to achieve a milestone, then celebrations follow as a compulsive release of elation. It must be noted that Nigerians like to make a show of their achievements, real or imagined, substantive or tenuous.The toxic variant of celebrations, a la Nigeriana, manifests itself in the often gaudy, noisy display that accompanies celebrations by men and women in temporary positions of power.Picture the case of a well-heeled political jail-bird who upon his recent release from jail chose to convert what should have been a contrite and penitent ceremony to celebrate his release into a gaudy hysteria of sorts. In a manner of speaking, he sought to rig - unadvisedlypublic perception of crime. Not a few Nigerians were rightly incensed by this. Picture also the politician who elects an orgy of mindless celebration on the night of a rigged election victory, achieved, by the Grace of God, or the lazy student who pins his chances of passing an exam in flying colours on the Grace of God, even when his only strategy is to cheat or buy marks, in the tradition of his seniors in society.Values shape human society and it will appear that they are in diminishing supply in these parts. It is easy to see men and women dance around expediency and to temporary adulations by men of power. The moment a manor womancomes to power, he or she will not lack the company of cheer-leaders and sycophants who urge him/her on for purely selfish purposes. There are, often, very few people of honest conviction. The story was told of a one time Finance Minister whose backyard was always full of cows and rams at Christian and Moslem celebrations. The moment he got re-assigned to the political Siberia of that administrationMinistry of Special Dutiesthe rams stopped coming. Now, wonder why we do not have credible parties in sustained opposition' The focus is always on the gravy pie and the appurtenances of public office, not on any real convictions for improvement in society nor on any enduring political philosophy. Since political expediency is practised art around here, the average Nigerian will drum up support for the man who holds the keyhowever temporarilyto the spoils of position.Religious pietyin variegated fashionappears the new fad. Never mind there is no corresponding correlation with national ethics and values. If anything, our country is fast becoming an address for the most reprehensible absurdities on earth. We are often inclined to make heavy weather out of our religious piety even when habits, lifestyles, reflexes, moral persuasions or worldview do not square up. Even more, what stands out is irreverence, grandstanding and desperate materialism. In characteristic posturing, the Nigerian gives the impression he is on a speed dial to God. Every attainment is by the Grace of God, no matter how damning! Setting forth on any project is incomplete without the invocation, by the Grace of God.Ken Ihedioha, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, 7B Acme Road, Ogba, Lagos.
Click here to read full news..
