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OPINION: Nigerians and obsession with titles By Nze Nwabueze Akabogu

Title is defined as a recognition for one’s achievements in society. Title could also be categorized into various forms such as: traditional, academic, religious, socio-economic cum political etc.
Throughout human history however, individuals that had contributed immensely towards the development of society in different fields of human endeavour were duly honoured with one form of title or the other. People were honoured for their spectacular achievements in areas such as academics, sciences, economics, religion, culture, politics and other professions.
In contemporary society however, people that have distinguished themselves in areas such as: scientific discoveries or inventions as well as those that contributed towards the maintenance of world peace were equally honoured with prestigious titles by certain recognized world bodies, organizations, or countries in recognition for their immense contributions to modern society. Many eminent personalities across the globe were bestowed with the prestigious “Noble Prize” instituted by the famous Swedish industrialist Alfred Benhard Nobel for their immense contributions in various fields of human endeavours like the Sciences, Literature, Economics, Polities etc.
In the same vein, the erstwhile imperial powers like Great Britain, France, Spain etc equally recognized and honoured great achievers within their home countries as well as their erstwhile colonial subjects during the colonial era with titles such as the Knighthood “Sir” by the imperial Majesties, the Kings or Queens. The modern church also instituted the Knighthood-“Sir” and such other titles for their worthy members or adherents as the defenders of faith. Equally, many Nigerian Communities usually honour their eminent citizens who had contributed immensely towards the socio-economic development of their local communities with the title or appellation of “Chief” or similar titles.
It is a sad commentary, however to observe that in recent times, many highly placed Nigerians seem to be obsessed with the mundane acquisition of titles as a status symbol thus making a mockery or laughing stock of the highly prestigious and revered titles in our society. It is equally regrettable, that these days, one can observe with utter dismay and disgust the mad rush by many notable personalities in Nigeria to acquire many titles and insist on being addressed as (a) Chief, Sir, Dr. (b) Chief, Hon, Sir, (c) Chief, Hon, Barr, (d) Chief, Engr., Sir, (e) Chief, Arc, Sir, (f) Rev. Dr, Apostle (g) Prince, Dr, Sir (h) Prof., Chief, Sir, (i) Rt. Hon, Dr, Chief (j) Dr, Barr (Mrs.) (k) Dr, Chief (Mrs.) (l) Rev. Dr. (Mrs.) and so on and so forth. Members of the National Assembly (parliament) are not left out in this bizarre pursuit of recognition and relevance hence, the ex distinguished Senators still insist on being addressed as “Senators” long after they have relinquished their seats in the hallowed upper, red chambers of the National Assembly. Similarly, former members of the House of Representatives still parade themselves as “Honourable” long after they had vacated their seats in the lower, green chambers of the National Assembly. Unfortunately, the mad rush for titles by Nigerians tend to diminish the value and respect normally attached to our national honours which in recent years have been terribly bastardized and turned into a market place where certain charlatans and political misfits were often recognized by the State and bestowed with highly prestigious honours such as OON, OFR, CFR, MFR, etc. as an annual ritual in the country. This rather unfortunate situation has already created the negative impression in the minds of many Nigerians that only those with the right “contacts” or “connections” are usually recognized and honoured by the State thus discouraging patriotic, honest, and hardworking citizens from giving their very best to the Nation.
It is instructive to mention however, that in developed societies of the world such as the U.S or the U.K, ex Senators and former members of the House of the Representatives in the case of the U.S upon vacating their seats in Congress immediately relinquish their titles as “Senators” or “Congressmen” or “Congresswomen” as the accepted norm and automatically revert to their former status and addressed simply as “Mr.” or “Mrs”. Similarly, in the United Kingdom as soon as a person ceases to be a member of the British Parliament ((House of Commons) such a person automatically relinquishes his or her title as an MP (Member of Parliament)
It is a matter of deep regret however, that the political class in Nigeria today are the worst offenders in the exhibition of sheer egotism and always seeking relevance by their continuous clinging to the title- “Senator” or “Hon” long after they have vacated their seats in parliament.
This craving for the primordial acquisition of titles in society is obviously responsible for the current level of unbridled corruption in all the facets of our national life, hence it has become the norm that a person’s recognition in society is based largely on the amount of wealth and titles such a person is able to accumulate for himself or herself. This ugly situation certainly portends great danger for our society as it has serious negative implications on the psyche of the younger generations who might be inclined to imbibe the negative culture as the accepted norm. It is equally regrettable that members of the Nigerian armed forces seem to be caught up in the web of the mad rush for titles and relevance hence the retired officers still retain their ranks and always love to be addressed as “Generals” “Brigadiers” or “Colonels” etc long after leaving the military service.
Again, in civilized nations of the world, military officers after their retirement from active service to their nations are immediately re-integrated into the society as civilians and addressed simply as “Mr.” having dropped their military ranks or titles on retirement. One would like to cite some examples in this write up to buttress the above fact. In the United States of America, General Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) was a General in the U.S Army and later became the 34th President of the U.S (1953-1961) after relinquishing his Army Rank or title as a “General”. Again General Collin Powell who was a war hero during the Iraqi war later dropped his military rank as a “General” after his retirement when he was appointed the U.S Secretary of State by former President George W. Bush. Furthermore, the out spoken senator John Mcain who became a war hero after he was captured by the Vietcon guerrillas during the Vietnam war in the late sixties later relinquished his military title as “General” after his retirement and became a senator from where he contested against President Barrack Obama and lost in the 2008 U.S Presidential election. President Obama himself had earlier served as the U.S. Senator for his home state of Illinois before he became the President of U.S in 2008. The list could go on and on ad infinitum.
It is heartwarming and a positive development to observe however, that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and most recently the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari have already set the pace for others by relinquishing their military ranks or titles as “Generals” and opted to be addressed simply as “Chief” or “Mr.”
It is deeply regrettable and worrisome that in this 21st Century, when the emerging economic super powers like the great China and her immediate smaller neighbours such as South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia etc known as the Asian tigers, are busy developing their socio-economic and technological infrastructures, Nigerians are still engaged in the pursuit of frivolities such as the unbridled accumulation of questionable or unmerited wealth and “bogus” titles purely and simply for self aggrandizement and nothing else.
It has become imperative therefore, that Nigerians must wake up from their deep slumber if they must catch up with the rest of the world that today is witnessing a great revolution spreading like wild fire across the entire globe in socio- economic and technological transformation. Nigeria for too long has remained a sleeping giant and a consumer nation that depends entirely on manufactured goods from the highly industrialized nations of the world despite her huge potentials in both human and natural resources.
In conclusion, the present Buhari administration should immediately embark on the re-orientation of the Nigerian people as a matter of utmost urgency by inculcating in the people the virtue of high integrity, selflessness, honesty, hardwork and above all the spirit of patriotism which are the sine qua non for any meaningful socio-economic and technological development in any given society. The nation must equally embibe the spirit of self reliance and re-order her priorities if she must realize her dreams and visions as a potential economic super power within the African Continent and beyond by the target year 2020.
The present insatiable desire for the acquisition of quick wealth and ridiculous titles through fair or foul means among Nigerians must be discouraged and jettisoned by putting in place the necessary mechanism that would keep in check the endemic corruption in the country. Happily, the new Buhari administration has now come in with “new brooms” that expectedly will sweep away the multifarious challenges including the monster called corruption that has bedeviled the nation for too long. A common adage says: A new broom sweeps faster and thoroughly and therefore the ball is now completely in the court of President Buhari and his new administration to urgently deliver the promised democracy dividends to the people.

Nze Akabogu (JP) is a Public Affairs Commentator and analyst. He wrote from Enugwu- Ukwu, Anambra State.
GSM: 08074942671
E-mail: [email protected]

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