I don’t think I would be wrong to say the majority of human beings, no matter the nationality, would like to be counted among the elite. Just as I know too that most of those who regularly read this highly respected newspaper are distinguished members of the elite. Even if my educational background is the only thing one goes by, as small as I am, I too could be said to belong to this privileged group.
Show me a right thinking individual who wouldn’t want to fall into the category of those who make things happen. What a wonderful company to be in. Kindly permit me to ask one simple question though: As elites who make things happen, who do most of us make things happen for?
Before we go any further, let me provide few definitions of the word. One definition, by Encarta World English Dictionary says it’s “a small group of people within a larger group who have more power, social standing, wealth or talent than the rest of the group.” The American Heritage Dictionary says, “A group or class of persons or a member of such a group or class, enjoying superior intellectual, social or economic status.” Another defines the elite as, “citizens that disproportionately control a society’s economic wealth, political power and philosophical influence”, and adds that these include student, labour and religious leaders. Going by these definitions, it is obvious you don’t have to be Dangote before to be regarded a bona fide member of the elite.
My angst with the Nigerian elite however, myself included, is that we have failed to effectively lead our society, a responsibility which our privileged position bestows upon us. History tells us that most mass movements which resulted in positive social change were actually led by members of the elite and not the downtrodden, as one may otherwise have expected.
In societies the world over it is generally common for the masses to take their cue from the elite. It however takes an elite in the mould transformational leader and not a transactional one to subsume his personal interest under that of his nation. The transactional leader’s motivation is always tied to what’s in it for him. But unlike the transactional leader who barks commands at his people and subordinates, the transformational leader leads by example and inspires his people to want to be better and to do better.
In the last couple of years, we’ve had a few demonstrations or marches to bring to the attention of our government the dire economic situation and the pervading sense of hopelessness within the nation. One of the two I will refer to never took place. Both were inspired and led by members of the elite.
The first was the one organized by our very own musical legend, Tuface, endearingly known as Tu Baba. This one never even took off as the police claimed there was a security report that hoodlums would hijack the planned peaceful protest and take advantage of it to cause mayhem. Tuface had to cancel at the eleventh hour and who could blame him? If anything had gone wrong during the march the whole thing would have been on his neck.
Shortly after this no security report was given to deter the campaigns of members of the ruling party. And I personally witnessed one, as a bystander, where all hell was let loose!
The second is even still a current issue. It’s the one convened by Sowore to register the displeasure of his group with the poor state of governance. A day or two before the D-day he was arrested on charges of treason because the name he gave his march contains the word “revolution”.
I’m not a lawyer therefore I will not attempt to argue about the legality of this. I am a little confused though. More than about five years ago the party currently occupying the Presidency used the same word quite openly when campaigning to oust the incumbent government at the time, via the ballot box. Those who used it then felt it was perfectly okay but no longer think it’s permissible when a protester against their government uses it. And oh! Before I forget, no-one was arrested back then.
In Sowore’s case, the police also insist the demonstration was illegal because the demonstrators failed to obtain a license. It’s funny because I can’t remember the police ever preventing a pro-government rally for the same reason. Hmmm…food for thought. Suffice to say, both of these aforementioned conveners are comfortable enough to afford just about any good thing life has to offer but they put self aside and decided to loan their voice to the voiceless. Never have the words of the revered Dr Martin Luther King sounded more true. “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.”
I’m in agreement with those who say it’s sometimes wise to put aside the messenger and instead focus on the message, which is why I deem it appropriate to quote the infamous leader of the Confederate army during the American civil war, General Robert E Lee. He once remarked that, “fortune and social prestige were not given to the members of an elite mainly for their enjoyment; they were given to make them heroes.”
And as if to buttress this, Professor Vincent Anigbogu of the Institute for National Transformation went on to say that, “Nigeria will never be great or truly develop until her elites champion a moral crusade that will establish in every strata of the society the principles and virtues of responsibility, integrity, compassion and excellence.” Responsibility, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence (RICE), I daresay say, are the hallmarks of the elite.
As I bring this discussion to a close, please permit me to go spiritual as I quote Apostle Paul who in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 admonished thus: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
We cannot all take to the streets because we want to make a difference but what excuse do we have not to begin in our own little corner?
Changing the nation…one mind at a time.
Dapo Akande
