Have you ever seen a human who doesn’t want to be great? Although one may argue that there are such people, I doubt if it would be a personal decision of any man not to be great. Therefore greatness is a subtle wish of every being living or dead. If you ask a little child this day and age, already, with so much examples around us, such a kid would likely speak pompously of a dream lurking in the corners of his malleable heart. Being great is a driving force for the things we all engage ourselves in, whether work or play, we all try as much as we can to increase of our relevance all in the effort to bring greatness to our lives.

The most frustrating thing to any man is when he has no relevance to his given environment. Nothing is as depressing as when you come into a place and you are not even noticed or accorded any pleasantries. It reduces your feeling of self-worth and puts you in the mud of questioning your very existence. I have had a friend, when we both witnessed the above circumstance, tell me “Reggie! I have to be great oh.” I could practically feel the ooze of a strong desire from him, and I suddenly knew why many people in their quest end up on the downside of ambition. I am not immune from it, that’s why I think I have the imprimatur to break the cocoon of my thoughts on the matter.

Two men in our contemporary history present us with the two sides of greatness, as counsel to those of us who seek to walk the paths where the Lions and eagles tread. We have celebrated them and poured so much encomiums for their acts of courage in the face of defiant foreign domination and enslavement. The names Nelson Mandela and Robert Mugabe strike the musical notes of exemplary leadership and influence that cause a whole nation and continent to dance in a uniform manner, and get historians frantically penning down pages of rhetoric for the annals of Afro-History. The name of the latter may now provoke feelings of disdain, but nevertheless, we cannot strip him of his former accomplishments and his stumbling is a factor for the thoughts herein.

Mandela and Mugabe, at birth may never have conceptualized the extent of the relevance they would have in their generation until they picked up undying passions for freedom from oppression. Today we know that these men were in the forefront during the years of playing on the turf in the game of African renaissance against imperialistic proponents. But while one is still soaring effortlessly on the wings of greatness, the other is on a downward spiral on the broken wings of ambition. After tasting the wine of grandeur, one is done by it while the other is drunk by the same liquid. It reveals the sourness in sweetness. Reminds me of the sweetness/ bitterness of the garden egg, depending on who eats it. Now I am knowing that greatness is like wine or the garden egg, it has a varying effect on its consumer. Greatness produces both Masters and Monsters.

After watching the movie by Jim Carrey: The Mask, I am more persuaded that true greatness is first the nature of a man before an appendage. While the mask produced a sort of superhuman in one, the same mask produced a super monster in another, based on the the inherent nature of the recipients. Greatness is like this mask which some men may be given the opportunity to wear in their lifetime. What results is entirely a revelation of the hidden nature and predispositions of such a ‘lucky’ individual. Saul and David in the holy writ are also due examples of the differing outcomes of greatness. Both led by the same passion to free their people from domination, set about glorious deeds. But what resulted was that one has a name that we so eagerly give our children, while the other is a word of caution to our erring wards. In like manner, greatness has revealed what was the content of the heart of Mandela and has shown us also the motivation behind Mugabe’s actions. Therefore I am poised to be inspired by both men as I carve out my own path of relevance to a watching world.

While Mandela has shown me how greatness can make a man a living legend, Mugabe has taught me that greatness can warp the mind of a man and make him self-conceited. I have learnt that greatness is a privilege and not a right thus it cannot be forced but exuded. I am also learning that clinging onto privileges makes one an unnecessary pain and a hindrance to others as they seek to enter into the doors of opportunity. Now I know that true greatness inspires the same in others, while false greatness seeks to sap the value out of others and establish self serving interests, even if people have to sacrifice their lives for it. Today at 90 years of age Mandela is a living legend, while Mugabe at 84 is a living Brigand.

I will not be stupid enough to dwell on their achievements, but to set my own course by dealing essentially with my nature first, so that when greatness comes knocking, I will be a Master and not a Monster.

MY COURSE IS CLEAR!!!

You know what I found out about philosophy, it clouds the mind of naked truths in the bid to be assertive about knowledge of a given field. Make no mistakes, it has its place, but when trying to hone in on crucial issues to human existence, it is best kept aside and the path of simplicity followed to spur the thoughts of the lay man in reconsidering his economic status. While the ability to discuss my issues here within theoretical perspectives and prevailing paradigms gives me a sense of bloated pride in my education, I confess that I have never gained the interest of a soul in my several complaints. I discovered that when I am simple enough, I draw attention to the details that lie at the base of any argument, thus enticing my readers to peek further. I have sworn to stick to this course.

Economic conditions in Nigeria are one area I have suddenly become a doubter of the several economic theories explaining it. Some news I heard this past week got me really thinking about basics that should be of necessity in a rich country. The paradox of having poor people in a rich country like Nigeria does not have any acceptable explanation by economists even though they have tried. And I will try to explain this by simple analogies that I hope would sway some minds my way as I contend with existing conditions in my beloved country.

If I were born into a rich home, with all that makes life comfortable, let me tell you some of the things I may enjoy. First I am likely to be born outside of Nigeria, given the high infant mortality rate, then I will be given the highest baby care so as to purify my entrance into a beautiful world. Next I will be fed with sheer delight while growing and be placed in probably the best school around. I may even have home instructors to refine my learning a bit more. If my parents are a bit more refined, I may end up learning musical instruments and doing a bit of soft sports. Then during my holidays, I may travel to see another country and see various tourist destinations.

To cut the long story short, I will attend the best university in my country, or even in the world if I am very smart. I may never be denied the best that the riches of my home can afford and never will it occur to me that I have to strive to enjoy these things. Why? My family is rich! A silver spoon in my mouth accords me all the privileges that comes with a silver card holder in the club of global citizenship. Even a wicked family will sometimes act responsibly in giving their wards the best, at least to preserve their name. So it is not discussable whether a child born into riches should enjoy the best, it is a given. This is applicable also to any country.

In the light of the foregoing, what is obtainable at the family level, I believe should obtain the national level. Some may say I am utopian, but I am glad that utopia is a destination that, gladly, people have attained who never gave up. So please don’t tell me there is a theory for Nigeria’s predicament. If the country is rich, it should and must be reflected in the lives of its citizens. The citizens are the face of the country and whatever befalls them is the fault of its family: the country.

There is no reasonable explanation for poor people in a rich country. Why should Nigerians buy petrol for a price almost at par with what is obtainable internationally? In Saudi Arabia, the citizens buy petrol at 68 cents a gallon and in Nigeria we buy it for 70 naira a litre. Both countries produce the same product and are considered rich by the same. I refuse to hear anything other than privileges for Nigerian citizens. We cannot accept anything lesser than that, for it will amount to advanced brigandage and flagitious crime against the humanity of Nigerians. Meanwhile can someone help me figure out how a rich country can make its people enjoy such riches.