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Come celebrate 419 with me

By Don Norman

Like every sane Nigerian with deep sense of traditional moral values, I have persistently sought genuine explanation on how, when, where and why all these social vices viz: armed robbery, ritual killing, suicide bombing, prostitution, covetousness and fraud; prevalent among our youths today became entrenched in our society, until this past Saturday when my barrister friend invited me out for a free booze at our usual joint.

What a wonderful form of escapism. I felt a huge surge of relief at least temporarily, from my eldest son; an ardent Liverpool fan who threw cushions to the wind in celebration of his team’s slim victory over Aston Villa. Though I was a bit upset by the manner of his celebration, I quickly subjected my displeasure under control being aware of the pain the young boy has suffered for being a Liverpool fan. On getting to the bar, the atmosphere was electric; live band was on hand entertaining customers with old tunes from Nigeria music veterans.

Sharing the table with us was a skinny but a bit tipsy young man in his early 50’s whose countenance depicts a picture of a celebrating man. So happy was this man that he almost outshine the musical band with his exclusive dancing style and body contortion. As I was watching with my mouth wide agape, wondering why he was so hysterical, behold our table had been replenished. Astounded, because we never ordered for another drink, I beckoned to the waiter for clarification. But in a husky voice, the man said to me “ore e ma worry, na my little gift for una be this, holding my shoulder he continued, abegi make una manage am.”

Of course we toasted and exchanged a brief pleasantry with him in appreciation of his kind gesture. But to satisfy my already growing curiosity I prodded him further to know the reason for his excitement, but was astonished by the absurdity of his bizarre celebration. Satisfactorily he said, “My brothers, in fact I am the happiest man on earth. I am celebrating because I have fulfilled my obligation to my son as a responsible father.” Smiling he continued, I thank God for everything; I taught I would not be able to achieve this fit this year. But God made it possible.”

‘That is how it should be my brother’, my lawyer friend chipped in. Did he travel abroad or get admission into the University I inquisitively inquired. But little did we know that we are in for a shocker. Far from it, the man replied. Hitting his chest he said,” I am happy because I have finally bought a laptop and a modem for my son. He can now dupe these Oyinbo people (white men) in a relaxed atmosphere without fear of these useless EFCC people. Can you imagine! He continued, Instead of them to go after these corrupt politicians they are busy pursuing small children who are looking for their daily bread. God will punish them.” he thundered.

To say we were astounded is an understatement. I was so pensive that such bizarre statement could emanate from a father whose responsibility among other things is to prescribe norms of behavior to his children. There is no doubt that the traditional Nigerian family under the pressure of modernization and economic hardships has lost virtually all of its social control mechanism along with its age-honoured solidarity.

What has happened to our moral values? I remembered those good old days when a child will be thoroughly disciplined by his/her parents and also made to pass through group of corrective deriders for stealing common sweat. When traders used to leave their goods in an open market and retire home without fear of losing them to thieves. When it was regarded as sacrilege for children to request for an egg not to talk of eating it; when parents used to go as far as reporting their disobedient children to their teachers at school; when correcting a child was a collective responsibility of the entire society; when you have to explain to your parents how your class mate’s text book or exercise book found its way into your school bag.

Are you still wondering why corruption keep accelerating in Nigeria? No wonder our politicians will throw a large party simply because they won election and you’ll hear absurdities like, “I have made it”, “I have arrived” and things like that. When a father whose responsibility is to prescribe norms of behaviour to his children is the one aiding and abetting them to steal, then we are doomed as a people.