Emancipation...

I was taught never to look down on people no matter their status. Back in the days, Nigerians were kind and peaceful people, but now old things have indeed passed away.

Some people now feel that being the Leader of any group or community gives them the right to disrespect or maltreat their subordinates or the people who elected them to that position. Treating people with disdain simply because of your current status, their present predicament or position in life will never add more years to your life. 

The fact that you are smarter, richer, or that you got a political appointment does not make you better than the next person or even more appealing. The fact that you ride in one of the most expensive cars in the world or that you have been swimming in milk and honey all your life does not justify your demeaning attitude neither does it give you the right to look down on another person’s meager hussle or humble lifestyle.

The story of the councilor who tortured his nephew to death because of a missing Thirty Five Thousand Naira phone left a sour taste in mouth and got me really pissed off. It woke me up to the reality that most Nigerians start exhibiting bizarre tyrannical attitudes that are totally contemptible and unacceptable once they land small money, title or appointment.

Call me judgmental if you want, but trust me when I tell you that this flagrant exhibition of arrogance is now widespread. Why do relatively poor individuals mistreat or intimidate other poor people who are lower than them? Why are most Nigerians eager to show on social media that they have arrived? Why do most Nigerians act like demi-gods and expect to be worshiped by their subjects or followers? Life is transient and everything is vanity, so why the disgusting arrogance?

We sincerely need to be emancipated from these delusional values and precepts. We need to start appreciating that anyone can grow from being very poor to being very rich. All it takes is hard work and a little luck. That person looking up to you for assistance, succor, encouragement or anything today, could be your only source of hope tomorrow. 

Sadly, most arrogant and vain individuals will never learn from history.