Life-lessons-nigerian-politicians-and-elites-should-emulate-from-uk-prime-minister-boris-johnson
September 7, 2020 | News
LIFE LESSONS NIGERIAN POLITICIANS AND ELITES SHOULD EMULATE FROM UK PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON
I am marveled every time I see powerful and very influential public office holders in developed countries, who ordinarily would have everything they so desire by virtue of the highly exalted positions they occupy, but they chose instead to live a life of sacrificial service in the interest of the public, with no mind to steal and misappropriate public funds in the acquisition of property and living a life of affluence, plenty and splendor. These were my thoughts, when some reporters recently visited the private home of the British Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, who had recovered from the Coronavirus illness.
I could not help but wonder how could a man of that public repute, could be living a life so simple and ordinary that it defiles everything we are used to seeing around us here in Nigeria. Mr. Boris Johnson’s private home was like an old abandoned house, with very old red brick walls, and nothing fancy about it. The road to the said house is not only narrow and there are no tiles, but it is just like the house of the average British and ordinary people living in a small lane.
It was noted in the report that the living room of the said British Minister, was so small, that he had to entertain the reporters outside, as he held the tea tray and served the reporters outdoors. Not only that, all the tea cups used in serving the reporters were of different kinds, which suggests that he obviously gathered every cup in his house to serve the number of reporters’ tea outdoor. This is unlike some of us who have ‘sets’ of everything imaginable at home. Not only that, Boris Johnson met the reporters with disheveled hair, casual clothes, but yet with a confident smile of a Prime Minister who obviously sees himself first, as a Public Servant elected to serve the masses, and not as a Public Master like we see in the Nigerian situation with our so-called public office holders at all levels of Government. This was a man who was British Foreign Secretary from 2016 to 2018, and Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016.
In fact, comparing these public office holders of developed countries like UK, with those of their counterpart in Nigeria, is like comparing two different worlds with nothing in common – yet they are both supposed to be public office holders. There is really no point to compare our political leaders with Boris Johnson and his likes. This is because even our Nigerian Ward Councilors have a more luxury life than that of Britain’s Prime Minister.
This situation brings to mind of a statement once reportedly made by the Russian President, Vladamir Putin: “When an African becomes rich: His bank accounts are in Switzerland, He travels to France for medical treatment, He invests in Germany, He buys from Dubai, He consumes Chinese, He prays in Rome or Mecca, His Children study in Europe, He travels to Canada, US, Europe for tourism. If He dies, He will be buried in His native country of Africa. Africa is just a Cemetery for Africans. How could a Cemetery be developed?” As harsh and hard as this may sound, but that is the bitter truth and pill that Africans, particularly Nigerian political leaders, need to swallow and accept as the stark reality of where we have brought ourselves to remain. And perhaps there is urgent need to make the necessary sacrifices to change this unhealthy narrative in Africa, especially in Nigeria – supposedly the ‘giant-of-Africa’.
It is a shame that in the Nigeria of today, we have serving and former Council Chairmen, Senators, National and State Assembly members, Governors and other Public Officers that have countless mansions in different parts of the country; many state-of-the-art-cars which they hardly/never use but are left covered in tarpaulins or packed in fancy garage canopies within their compounds; as well as businesses and structures that only benefit them and their families, fronts and aides. But all around them, are poverty-stricken Nigerians whom they are/were supposed to serve while in government. Is that not being foolish? It is sad that today, we still find old and very old former political leaders, that ought to have left the political scene for the younger generation, in government space, simply because of the ‘ambiance of wealth’ they get to misappropriate while in the system. Rather than being ‘elder statesmen’ that are there to advise the younger generation on the right path, they still want to “remain relevant” in Nigerian politics by ensuring nothing happens without their consent, approval and voice. We have them as “Political godfathers”, Chairmen of Parastatals, Ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Commissioners, Chief of Staff of Governors/Presidents, board of directors of parastatals, or Ambassadors of one country or the order. All aimed at placing themselves in places/areas where they can continue milking the nation dry of public funds. I will repeat myself that a few days ago, a friend of mine told me how he visited a Nigerian politician in Osubi near Warri in Delta State, and the said politician was flaunting his wealth with pride as he showed him the latest cars in his magnificent compound, and even boasted that the said cars are the latest in the World, which only himself and few persons own such cars in Nigeria. The question is, what is a single person doing with 20 to 50 cars, all packed idle in fancy garage canopies.
Some few months back, we appealed to every Nigerian lawmaker at the Federal and State levels, elected political leaders and their Personal Aides and Appointees, to kindly click on these links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUz1BIWZqyA, posted in February 14, 2020, and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sATuK-2drOE&feature=youtu, posted in December 17, 2019 - both by The Guardian News, UK, to watch and listen to the short speech videos of the UK Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, AND LEARN WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM AS PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS.
There is nothing that is so INSPIRING and ENCOURAGING to a citizenry, when they see their elected/appointed public office holders rendering their resolve and commitment to fulfilling their statutory roles/election campaign promises, and also BACKING IT WITH CONCRETE ACTIONS, FOR THE GOOD AND INTEREST OF THE MASSES. It is not the kinds of political leaders we have in Nigeria who, more often than not, say one thing and end up doing something else entirely different from what they promised, or are expected to do. The last time we witnessed such inspiring speeches from obvious dedicated public holders in Nigeria, were in the days of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Belewa, Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo.
This is something we do not get to see in Nigeria’s public space with our supposed elected and appointed Government Officials. It is either they are reading out a well scripted note written by their aides, of what they know themselves that they will never deliver to the people; or they are blabbing here and there without making any sense, or sound convincing as public office holders that are ready to deliver to the people who elected them into Government.
Our current leaders in government circles both at the Federal and State levels, keep telling the people that they understand the plight of our youths and the unemployment situation in the country. Yet, their daily actions and inactions are saying something else entirely. On the one side, the government says they are ‘worried’ about the increase in criminal activities and the unemployment rate in the country; but on the other side, we see “absolute waste” of public funds at the Federal and State levels through their salaries, bonuses, allowances and fringe benefits. The situation at the National and State Assemblies in terms of recurrent expenditure is far worst. Whereas, countless Nigerians are living below one dollar a day, and our young ones that are supposed to be leaders of tomorrow are made to face dehumanizing conditions of poverty, lack and hardship.
We must realize that no foreigner, or foreign nations will come to solve our national problems for us. Nigerians, especially the political leaders at all levels, should stir up the Will and desire to genuinely develop our country. By and large, Boris Johnson’s story above - is laden with life lessons that we all will do well to emulate. For a man of his status - making humility, modesty, and simplicity the epicenter of his personality is a phenomenon that nearly transcends logic; and it is by that very fact that he remains more endearing, but most sacrosanct for all and sundry, more exemplary.
Zik Gbemre
May 6, 2020.
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
I am marveled every time I see powerful and very influential public office holders in developed countries, who ordinarily would have everything they so desire by virtue of the highly exalted positions they occupy, but they chose instead to live a life of sacrificial service in the interest of the public, with no mind to steal and misappropriate public funds in the acquisition of property and living a life of affluence, plenty and splendor. These were my thoughts, when some reporters recently visited the private home of the British Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, who had recovered from the Coronavirus illness.
I could not help but wonder how could a man of that public repute, could be living a life so simple and ordinary that it defiles everything we are used to seeing around us here in Nigeria. Mr. Boris Johnson’s private home was like an old abandoned house, with very old red brick walls, and nothing fancy about it. The road to the said house is not only narrow and there are no tiles, but it is just like the house of the average British and ordinary people living in a small lane.
It was noted in the report that the living room of the said British Minister, was so small, that he had to entertain the reporters outside, as he held the tea tray and served the reporters outdoors. Not only that, all the tea cups used in serving the reporters were of different kinds, which suggests that he obviously gathered every cup in his house to serve the number of reporters’ tea outdoor. This is unlike some of us who have ‘sets’ of everything imaginable at home. Not only that, Boris Johnson met the reporters with disheveled hair, casual clothes, but yet with a confident smile of a Prime Minister who obviously sees himself first, as a Public Servant elected to serve the masses, and not as a Public Master like we see in the Nigerian situation with our so-called public office holders at all levels of Government. This was a man who was British Foreign Secretary from 2016 to 2018, and Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016.
In fact, comparing these public office holders of developed countries like UK, with those of their counterpart in Nigeria, is like comparing two different worlds with nothing in common – yet they are both supposed to be public office holders. There is really no point to compare our political leaders with Boris Johnson and his likes. This is because even our Nigerian Ward Councilors have a more luxury life than that of Britain’s Prime Minister.
This situation brings to mind of a statement once reportedly made by the Russian President, Vladamir Putin: “When an African becomes rich: His bank accounts are in Switzerland, He travels to France for medical treatment, He invests in Germany, He buys from Dubai, He consumes Chinese, He prays in Rome or Mecca, His Children study in Europe, He travels to Canada, US, Europe for tourism. If He dies, He will be buried in His native country of Africa. Africa is just a Cemetery for Africans. How could a Cemetery be developed?” As harsh and hard as this may sound, but that is the bitter truth and pill that Africans, particularly Nigerian political leaders, need to swallow and accept as the stark reality of where we have brought ourselves to remain. And perhaps there is urgent need to make the necessary sacrifices to change this unhealthy narrative in Africa, especially in Nigeria – supposedly the ‘giant-of-Africa’.
It is a shame that in the Nigeria of today, we have serving and former Council Chairmen, Senators, National and State Assembly members, Governors and other Public Officers that have countless mansions in different parts of the country; many state-of-the-art-cars which they hardly/never use but are left covered in tarpaulins or packed in fancy garage canopies within their compounds; as well as businesses and structures that only benefit them and their families, fronts and aides. But all around them, are poverty-stricken Nigerians whom they are/were supposed to serve while in government. Is that not being foolish? It is sad that today, we still find old and very old former political leaders, that ought to have left the political scene for the younger generation, in government space, simply because of the ‘ambiance of wealth’ they get to misappropriate while in the system. Rather than being ‘elder statesmen’ that are there to advise the younger generation on the right path, they still want to “remain relevant” in Nigerian politics by ensuring nothing happens without their consent, approval and voice. We have them as “Political godfathers”, Chairmen of Parastatals, Ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Commissioners, Chief of Staff of Governors/Presidents, board of directors of parastatals, or Ambassadors of one country or the order. All aimed at placing themselves in places/areas where they can continue milking the nation dry of public funds. I will repeat myself that a few days ago, a friend of mine told me how he visited a Nigerian politician in Osubi near Warri in Delta State, and the said politician was flaunting his wealth with pride as he showed him the latest cars in his magnificent compound, and even boasted that the said cars are the latest in the World, which only himself and few persons own such cars in Nigeria. The question is, what is a single person doing with 20 to 50 cars, all packed idle in fancy garage canopies.
Some few months back, we appealed to every Nigerian lawmaker at the Federal and State levels, elected political leaders and their Personal Aides and Appointees, to kindly click on these links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUz1BIWZqyA, posted in February 14, 2020, and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sATuK-2drOE&feature=youtu, posted in December 17, 2019 - both by The Guardian News, UK, to watch and listen to the short speech videos of the UK Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, AND LEARN WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM AS PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS.
There is nothing that is so INSPIRING and ENCOURAGING to a citizenry, when they see their elected/appointed public office holders rendering their resolve and commitment to fulfilling their statutory roles/election campaign promises, and also BACKING IT WITH CONCRETE ACTIONS, FOR THE GOOD AND INTEREST OF THE MASSES. It is not the kinds of political leaders we have in Nigeria who, more often than not, say one thing and end up doing something else entirely different from what they promised, or are expected to do. The last time we witnessed such inspiring speeches from obvious dedicated public holders in Nigeria, were in the days of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Belewa, Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo.
This is something we do not get to see in Nigeria’s public space with our supposed elected and appointed Government Officials. It is either they are reading out a well scripted note written by their aides, of what they know themselves that they will never deliver to the people; or they are blabbing here and there without making any sense, or sound convincing as public office holders that are ready to deliver to the people who elected them into Government.
Our current leaders in government circles both at the Federal and State levels, keep telling the people that they understand the plight of our youths and the unemployment situation in the country. Yet, their daily actions and inactions are saying something else entirely. On the one side, the government says they are ‘worried’ about the increase in criminal activities and the unemployment rate in the country; but on the other side, we see “absolute waste” of public funds at the Federal and State levels through their salaries, bonuses, allowances and fringe benefits. The situation at the National and State Assemblies in terms of recurrent expenditure is far worst. Whereas, countless Nigerians are living below one dollar a day, and our young ones that are supposed to be leaders of tomorrow are made to face dehumanizing conditions of poverty, lack and hardship.
We must realize that no foreigner, or foreign nations will come to solve our national problems for us. Nigerians, especially the political leaders at all levels, should stir up the Will and desire to genuinely develop our country. By and large, Boris Johnson’s story above - is laden with life lessons that we all will do well to emulate. For a man of his status - making humility, modesty, and simplicity the epicenter of his personality is a phenomenon that nearly transcends logic; and it is by that very fact that he remains more endearing, but most sacrosanct for all and sundry, more exemplary.
Zik Gbemre
May 6, 2020.
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes