THE DISHONORABLES

“Honour never grows old, and honour gives the greatest joy, because honour is finally about defending noble and worthy things that deserve to be defended, even at a high cost. In our time the cost may be social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or even death.” - Pericles.

What do we call a man, who was once respected as a status symbol in our community? I mean somebody who used to be greeted with signs of heads bowing low in respect but is not anymore? What do you call a man who has looted public treasury and is now behind bars or is on the run? What do you call a man who has lost every sense of the word honour in his life? What do you call a man who betrays the trust of a group of people who made him custodian of their resources?

I call them “the dishonourables”. I checked the word in the Oxford Essential Thesaurus.

Dishonourable act: disgraceful, shameful, shameless, shaming, disreputable, degrading, debasing, ignominious, ignoble, blame worthy, contemptible, despicable, reprehensible, base.

A Dishonourable man: Unprincipled, black-guardly. Unscrupulous, corrupt, untrustworthy treacherous, perfidious, traitorous, disreputable discreditable: inf. Shady.

Unfortunately, people whom expensive honour has been bestowed upon are the ones that have thrown such a priceless honour to the swines.

What is really going on in our national political system, who is fooling whom? Did Senator Aliyu mean what he said about apologizing to the senate and Nigerians? If yes, could it be that such an elder statesman is caught in the crisis of dual identity; an ex-security expert and a neo-politico identity? This man equipped with many rich years of experience in the force, what could make him chew his words: could it be pressure? could it be that he is still in romance with past exploits of his active involvement in the Nigerian police force.

For this public figure to speculate on fraudulent practice going on in the senate. Like they say; there is no smoke without fire…

So-called honourable men also do dishonourable things. If you have good hindsight I don't need to recount the number of governors behind bars or out on bail.

There are two kinds of people that are hissed at, the first is, that morally sound man who refuses popular opinion because it betrays his standing principles of life.

The second is the political office holder whom nemesis has caught up with and who is now in jail taking stock of the services he has rendered to his community from his loot. Sometimes principled people are pushed into seeking for favours with the high and mighty “the movers and shakers” because they are influenced, the more money and wealth they accumulate the more the influence, pomp and pageantry. The trouble starts when they start to compromise moral standards.

This brings to mind the story about a former SSG (secretary to the State Government) of a State in Nigeria who was strongly advised in strong terms with a sense of mockery that “its left for him to come back with only a Bible in Hands”.

In other words, he should make sure that he rakes as much money as he can. He shouldn't be so religious about the government House.

Using the words of Pastor Taiwo Odukoya “…men of sound minds, let us come together, let us break the silence”.

The price honourable men pay for keeping silent and not getting involved is being ruled by dishonourable men.

The greatness of a nation depends on the quality of leadership materials at the helm of its affairs. Times change, cultures evolve, technology marches on, but leadership principles remain constant like the stars of heaven.

Leadership is often tested in periods of crisis. Perhaps God allows trials to develop in us the fibre and mettle of leadership. The real test of leadership is to calm the seas and keep hope alive.

More than any other time in the history of our nation, Nigeria needs courageous, purposeful leadership: an honourable one indeed. The world around us is racing into the future. Our leaders must not only be able to grapple with the complexities from our past, they must discern the future. Their future starts with the three lettered-words NOW!

This is because our environment is the reflection of our mental attitude. Attitudes dictates our altitude in life.

Aren't you proud of the honour given to Dr. Nelson Mandela in UK? Why do you think General Babangida want to go back to Aso Rock? To right his past wrongs of cause!

So that the League of Nations will see him as a man who handed power over legitimately without duress. I don't think Babangida enjoys the honour often bestowed on General Abdulsalam Abubakar on national and international assignments? If you did not know before, now you know.

“A man of a strong and determined temper adheres tenaciously to his general resolutions, and is neither seduced by the allurements of pain; but keeps still in view those distant pursuits, by which he, at once ensures his happiness and his honour”.

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