Common sense and common sense awards in Nigeria

Awards in Nigeria are always given out to government officials, especially political appointees, and never to upstarts; the class of people trying to be or aspiring so hard to be somebody through dint of hard work.

Beam your rays on the backgrounds of many recipients of awards, you will see that they were unknown in the corporate world save for the privilege of occupying government offices. Unlike some great people, they never altered the course of anything, positively, before elective offices. Where then is the common sense in giving out these kinds of award?

Not long ago, I was invited to Exceptional Diamond School, Woji in Port Harcourt, established by Mrs Ngozi Franklin Finecountry to give hope to people with disability.  I went there to give a pep talk on importance of organisational effectiveness to staff members. The founder, Mrs Franklin herself, is visually impaired but didn’t give up on herself as she is not only useful to self but to society. Here is the catch; she lost the use of her eyes very late in life, not early. Many others would have resigned to fate and be forgotten. Not this strong woman.

Not sure you want me to tell you about her husband Pastor Franklin Finecountry who is also visually impaired but is an outstanding author and emerged winner of the 2016 Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Prose Fiction Prize for his novel, ‘Avenger of Blood.’

Now you see why many of such persons out there need to be recognized by the organizers of common sense awards and not politicians who live on government patronage.

The story behind the success of many people who suffer from adversity is fascinating enough for government and civil society. Recognition and appreciation of how they achieved success certainly would bring true happiness to their lives and challenge many in the cold to get the best out of life.

Society owes many people an obligation to deliver a package of kindness by recognising them so they can be worth something in future and influence the lives of others as well.

Of course, the value of such recognition must be predicated on industry. But Nigeria would be guilty of a serious lack of respect for citizens if it doesn’t give an equal opportunity to all. Nor should recipients of awards be proud to receive awards that ignore the masses.

Where is Mr Common Sense?

By Simon Abah Abuja

abah_s@yah