"The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names". - Chinese Proverb.
You may have observed that "Big Men" do not follow rules.
Rules are meant for the hoi polloi, the scum of the earth, the dregs of society, the rank and file, the lower orders, the small men.
An authentic Big Man detests waiting.
Queues are not for his kind. He bristles and grabs attention by the balls if asked to wait. Squeezing hard at the nuts and screaming: "Do you know who I am?" Spittle flies in outrage until someone acknowledges how fortunate they are to be blessed by his glorious presence.
Big Men flex their muscles by reckless and lawless conduct - cut corners, jump queues, intimidate and ride roughshod over others. They chase other motorists off the bad roads with blaring sirens and show utter contempt for the common people. Their ego is double-edged. There is ego (self-importance) in their swag and ego (money) in the Ghana-Must-Go bag.
That's the beauty of Nigerian Bigmanism.
Take for instance the recent happenings in Abuja. A Big Man in Aso-Rock "suspended" another Big Man who is the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor. The CBN governor is peeved and vows to challenge the legality of his suspension. By the CBN Act, he opines that the Aso Rock Big Man's action is illegal and erodes the apex bank's autonomy and independence. The Aso Rock Big Man (who usually doesn't give a damn) counters by saying that the CBN governor can be suspended since he is under investigation for abuse of office. He also has absolute executive powers which override the stipulation of any (damn) Act.
Typical Big Men. That’s how they roll.
The CBN governor had become a thorn in the flesh of the government. Whether this is because he is a saint (speaks truth to the establishment), a hero (whistle blower), or a villain (discordant whistle blower, reckless spender, incompetent loud-mouth) or a mix of all, is left to the judgement or bias of each individual. The collateral damage is that the Nigerian financial market was disrupted. Bond markets froze, equities tanked and the naira traded at its lowest levels since 1999. Local and international investors became jittery causing a panic sell-off and equities value fell by an estimated N353bn. Portfolio investment inflows are expected to fall significantly owing to investor concern about events in Nigeria.
An encounter with the spirit that comes over Big Men in high places is like an 'on the road to Damascus' experience. Just like Saul (who later became Paul), scales cover your eyes when you taste the intoxicating sweet stuff that makes you throw your weight around.
"Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men." - Douglas Bader
Some Nigerians blame witches and wizards when faced with adversity. The actions of our Big Men in high places are worse than those of any witch or wizard.
"The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership," Chinua Achebe concluded.
If those at the helm of affairs become lawbreakers, it breeds contempt for law. In an event billed as the celebration of 100 years of togetherness, the Federal Government decided to hand out 100 awards to 100 individuals. The Nigeria Centenary Awards was, arguably, recognition of those who made their marks in Nigeria’s first 100 years as part of Nigeria's Centenary Celebration.
The jamboree celebrated 100 years since the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria. Fireworks, long speeches and hoopla marked the historical milestone. The award list was however mired in controversy.
At first glance, except for a sprinkling of names, I thought it was a list of persons the Federal Government had decided to prosecute for crimes against the Nigerian people.
Some of the Big Men decorated as heroes on the list are coup plotters turned despots, tyrants and looters of Nigeria’s treasury. People who in sane climes should be tried (even posthumously) for atrocities committed against the people. Instead they are celebrated as national heroes. Despite widespread reservations and suggestions aimed at toning down the event, the government decided to go ahead with an unrestrained party. This suggests insensitivity or indifference considering the state of anomie, insecurity and helplessness in the north-east states of Nigeria.
Big Men and the common people live in two different regions or worlds. It is a tale of two cities.
Some live in the city of terror and horror where scores of students are murdered in deadly terrorist attacks. A city where insurgents terrorize, murder helpless citizens and raze down villages in brazen attacks. Routinely, throats are slit, bodies burnt, triggers pulled, slugs fired, releasing an avalanche of tears. It is a region of constant wailing and grief, missed hugs of lost loved ones, slaughtered like chickens or goats. It is a tale of funerals, coffins, and the pain of the dirt-poor, grief-stricken mothers crying in the rain of sorrow.
In the distant city of gaieties, sunshine and bright lights, scores of heavily guarded awardees dance the night away at an awards ceremony. There is the sound of laughter and merrymaking as Big Men mingle and enjoy flamboyant firework displays, colourful costumes, lively music and dancers.
A truly responsive government is sensitive, compassionate, and all-embracing. The protection of life and property is its primary responsibility even if it means seeking international assistance when overwhelmed.
- John Ukah
Queues are not for his kind. He bristles and grabs attention by the balls if asked to wait. Squeezing hard at the nuts and screaming: "Do you know who I am?" Spittle flies in outrage until someone acknowledges how fortunate they are to be blessed by his glorious presence.
Big Men flex their muscles by reckless and lawless conduct - cut corners, jump queues, intimidate and ride roughshod over others. They chase other motorists off the bad roads with blaring sirens and show utter contempt for the common people. Their ego is double-edged. There is ego (self-importance) in their swag and ego (money) in the Ghana-Must-Go bag.
That's the beauty of Nigerian Bigmanism.
Take for instance the recent happenings in Abuja. A Big Man in Aso-Rock "suspended" another Big Man who is the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor. The CBN governor is peeved and vows to challenge the legality of his suspension. By the CBN Act, he opines that the Aso Rock Big Man's action is illegal and erodes the apex bank's autonomy and independence. The Aso Rock Big Man (who usually doesn't give a damn) counters by saying that the CBN governor can be suspended since he is under investigation for abuse of office. He also has absolute executive powers which override the stipulation of any (damn) Act.
Typical Big Men. That’s how they roll.
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| Typical Big Man crushing a less powerful man. |
Two Big Men accuse each other of not following the rules and the small man, like the proverbial grass when two elephants fight, suffers.
The CBN governor had become a thorn in the flesh of the government. Whether this is because he is a saint (speaks truth to the establishment), a hero (whistle blower), or a villain (discordant whistle blower, reckless spender, incompetent loud-mouth) or a mix of all, is left to the judgement or bias of each individual. The collateral damage is that the Nigerian financial market was disrupted. Bond markets froze, equities tanked and the naira traded at its lowest levels since 1999. Local and international investors became jittery causing a panic sell-off and equities value fell by an estimated N353bn. Portfolio investment inflows are expected to fall significantly owing to investor concern about events in Nigeria.
An encounter with the spirit that comes over Big Men in high places is like an 'on the road to Damascus' experience. Just like Saul (who later became Paul), scales cover your eyes when you taste the intoxicating sweet stuff that makes you throw your weight around.
"Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men." - Douglas Bader
Some Nigerians blame witches and wizards when faced with adversity. The actions of our Big Men in high places are worse than those of any witch or wizard.
"The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership," Chinua Achebe concluded.
If those at the helm of affairs become lawbreakers, it breeds contempt for law. In an event billed as the celebration of 100 years of togetherness, the Federal Government decided to hand out 100 awards to 100 individuals. The Nigeria Centenary Awards was, arguably, recognition of those who made their marks in Nigeria’s first 100 years as part of Nigeria's Centenary Celebration.
The jamboree celebrated 100 years since the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria. Fireworks, long speeches and hoopla marked the historical milestone. The award list was however mired in controversy.
At first glance, except for a sprinkling of names, I thought it was a list of persons the Federal Government had decided to prosecute for crimes against the Nigerian people.
Some of the Big Men decorated as heroes on the list are coup plotters turned despots, tyrants and looters of Nigeria’s treasury. People who in sane climes should be tried (even posthumously) for atrocities committed against the people. Instead they are celebrated as national heroes. Despite widespread reservations and suggestions aimed at toning down the event, the government decided to go ahead with an unrestrained party. This suggests insensitivity or indifference considering the state of anomie, insecurity and helplessness in the north-east states of Nigeria.
Big Men and the common people live in two different regions or worlds. It is a tale of two cities.
Some live in the city of terror and horror where scores of students are murdered in deadly terrorist attacks. A city where insurgents terrorize, murder helpless citizens and raze down villages in brazen attacks. Routinely, throats are slit, bodies burnt, triggers pulled, slugs fired, releasing an avalanche of tears. It is a region of constant wailing and grief, missed hugs of lost loved ones, slaughtered like chickens or goats. It is a tale of funerals, coffins, and the pain of the dirt-poor, grief-stricken mothers crying in the rain of sorrow.
In the distant city of gaieties, sunshine and bright lights, scores of heavily guarded awardees dance the night away at an awards ceremony. There is the sound of laughter and merrymaking as Big Men mingle and enjoy flamboyant firework displays, colourful costumes, lively music and dancers.
A truly responsive government is sensitive, compassionate, and all-embracing. The protection of life and property is its primary responsibility even if it means seeking international assistance when overwhelmed.
- John Ukah
About the Author
John Ukah, (also known by his nickname as Smoking Gun, SG) is a writer and banker and unarguably one of the most intelligent(top five actually) friends I have had the privilege of boasting about. He is a graduate of Business administration from the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. He also holds a Masters degree in Business Administration. He has written frequently on topical issues in several Nigerian newspapers and resides in Lagos, Nigeria. He also owns his blog where he discusses topical issues with satirical analogy that hits straight to home.
For more on John, his blog can be visited on: http://chroniclesofaradicalmind.blogspot.com and he can also be contacted via mail: johnukah@yahoo.co.uk
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