FORMER UK PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON: AN EPITOME OF MODESTY WORTH EMULATING
-By Zik Gbemre
A few years ago, I wrote a piece with the subject matter, which actually resulted from a video that went viral online, of British Prime Minister, Boris, serving tea to journalists at his private home in the UK. While the said video claimed that reporters had visited the UK Prime Minister after he recovered from Covid-19 around April 2020, it was however discovered that the said video dates back to August 2018, when Boris Johnson, who was then not the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), had offered tea to the reporters as they tried to get him answer questions about the then burqa row.
Regardless of this, and now that this has been clarified, the crux of the matter, and which was the reason for my write up then, was how marveled I am 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 exalted positions they had occupied, 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 then, and also now as we revisit the said video of Mr. Boris Johnson.
This is hinged on the fact that Boris Johnson, as at the time the said video of him offering tea to reporters was made, was a man who was a Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016, and British Foreign Secretary from 2016 to 2018. These were the positions he held before he campaigned and became the leader of the Conservative Party, and now the Prime Minister of UK. With his political status, by virtue of the public offices he had held in UK, which have made him a significant politician in the UK before that video was shown; he was still living in that very simple private apartment at the time. This is in complete contrast to our Nigerian politicians of that status, most of whom must have amassed public wealth and would be living in very expansive mansions with fleet of choice-cars in their usual massive and affluent-looking compounds.
So, looking at the said video of Boris Johnson, I could not help but wonder how could a man of that public repute, would be LIVING A LIFE SO SIMPLE AND ORDINARY that it defies 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.
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 utensils and everything imaginable at home. Boris Johnson also met the reporters with disheveled hair, casual clothes, but yet with a confident smile of A SIGNIFICANT AND PROMINENT UK POLITICIAN WHO OBVIOUSLY SEES HIMSELF FIRST, AS A ‘PUBLIC SERVANT’ THAT IS READY TO SERVE THE MASSES, AND NOT AS A ‘PUBLIC MASTER’ LIKE WE SEE IN THE NIGERIAN SITUATION WITH OUR SO-CALLED POLITICIANS/PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.
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 LGs Wards Councilors have a more luxury life than that of the likes of the prominent Politicians in the UK.
This situation brings to mind of a statement once reportedly made by the Russian President, Vladimir 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 the Nigerian Politicians 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 Office Holders 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 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, Directors of protocols to governors/President,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 years 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.
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.
Again, 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.
Recently Boris Johnson was spotted driving an old rickety Toyota Previa Bus in the UK. As a Mayor of London then he was always seen riding bicycle to local supermarkets in London to buy groceries and whenever he was confronted in the supermarkets by store owners about the high traffic hold up in London as mayor of the city he would reply it would get better. He was never angry for such questions.
Zik Gbemre
October 22, 2025
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