Of endangered species

With no exception, there is a piece of God in every human being.

When human life doesn't count for something, the result is predictable. Desperation is the result of a social system where selfishness is pervasive. In spite of what my friends in the school of developmental economics may assert as the reason for the gap between the developed countries and those who are underdeveloped or developing, I reckon that any society that doesn't place premium on the sacredness of human life is doomed. Until such a time when human life means something to us in Africa, our dream of a greater tomorrow will remain an illusion. 

Currency of Frustration 

Who gives a gun to a desperate man and expects the same man to protect others? I believe your guess is as good as mine. It is certainly a foolish thing to do but sadly, it is what my society has done. I posit here that the Nigerian Police is one of the most bastardized institution of government in the world. An average Constable barely earns slightly above the minimum wage and with his meagre salary like many other civil servants, he is expected to lead a life. When the society cannot relate with the challenges of its common people, frustration and desperation becomes the currency.

 

Have you tried wearing their shoes?

The insight for this piece came from a sermon by Reverend Sam Adeyemi and then later a radio podcast by Mr. Olakunle Soriyan. The duo shed light on the need for Nigerians to begin to operate on a higher pedestal of living driven by kindness and recognition of the plight of others. Any fool can put down but it takes a matured person to see the good in others. This is not an excuse for mediocrity and bankruptcy of character but If you care enough to consider the need of others, you will understand why people do what they do. The men of the Nigerian Police are human beings like us. They have blood flowing through their vein and like us too, they have needs to meet. Demanding of them higher standards than we ourselves are prepared to meet is lousy and wicked. 

 

Kindness is cool

We cannot overcome evil with evil. If we must create a new reality for our nation, we must sign up for a new way of life where we treat people with kindness. Only then can we be sure to be on our way to bridging the gap in our development. So the next time you see an officer of the law, put up a brilliant smile and salute them well done because like most of us they are endangered species.

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