Poser of the Day (1): THE THING ABOUT POLITICAL ‘EMPOWERMENT’
Poser of the Day (2): DOES MARRIAGE NEED THE RIGHT AGE AND THE RIGHT INCOME TO START?
Introduction: Welcome to ASK THE BOSS, the Q & A clinic, which provides relief from puzzling socioemotional discomforts. If something bedevils your life or academics or business, etc., feel free to inbox me. Remember to attach your preferred photo or plead anonymity. I shall come out here, publicly, to field such entry so that others in like situation may gain too.
2.0 Today, we serve you two for the price of one. We are treating two entries, that is. It is a first since ASK THE BOSS arrived here at The Pinnacle Times. If you are good, I am: let’s go.
3.0 Shot Number one, as fired by a lady who hails from the deep south of Nigeria: ‘THE BOSS, why is it that all this empowerment by politicians is of benefit to only a few? Why is it that somebody like me and others like me are still expecting feedback from the men and women we sent up’? Exactly what is going on? What can or should we do to gain attention?
4.0 My take: Dear Miss Christiana Julius of Atakunmosa LGA of Delta State, many thanks for your question. Yours might seem frivolous or something meant in the lighter mood, but I consider it a matter of urgent national importance especially at this critical stage of our nationhood. As is my wont, I shall give you an upfront response. If you are ready, here you are, Ma!
5.0 First of all, in a country where an alarming majority get into public office essentially to make money, we must thank the Good, Old Lord for little mercies tagged empowerment/constituency briefing -a political innovation that allows some crumbs to fall from the master’s table. Second of all, apart from the fact that this particular empowerment scheme is poorly conceived and deliberately wired to benefit just a handful, it is also not possible for even the most generous ’empowerer’ to reach every one within their jurisdiction. It must be for one of these reasons that the oil has yet touched your lips. Perhaps, you need to fast and pray to expedite your time in the turn-by-turn quasi-lotto!
6.0 But seriously, Ma, Nigeria needs to ban these empty, lousy, meaningless public shows that humiliate our people while celebrating pseudo-philanthropy. Political stars spend millions on the empowerment but billions, so to speak, on the ad hoc publicity, pre- and post-. Soon, the myopically-naive electorate reward them with reelection which in any case was the raison d’être for all the giving in the first place. Or, have you ever seen someone not seeking reelection hold the so-called constituency briefing/empowerment?
7.0 And, how many Nigerian public office holders ever organised this event other than when it’s about or a quarter to reelection? The most painful part of it all is that the unsuspecting world almost always rewards them with permanent applause. One hears ‘this man is so generous’ or ‘that woman is so good to her people’ all over the media and public space; as if they were elected to play father Christmas with our commonwealth. Alas, the ubiquitous deceit continues!
8. 0, No wonder why Nigeria makes so much motion but very little movement. Nothing would change unless we the people change our mindset. Our political masters should keep their fish; we should insist they teach us fishing instead while simultaneously doing the work we elected them to do. Rather than give young people who are unemployed rebranded cars and such other meant-for-the-camera gifts which would soon become liabilities, they should organise entrepreneurial and skill acquisition programmes, and thereafter provide starter packs!
9.0 As I end, my dear Miss Julius, I also need to warn you to be careful of which politician you receive gifts from. At least two south south senators provided hint, during their public office heyday, which in the near future could see many like them following their example of give and tell. I shall be praying for you; especially so that what is a gift now never transmogrifies into a loan or debt or something of public shame in future.
10.0 Quickly, quickly, let’s flip the page and sign on another entry even as we bring on Shot Number Two fired by a guy who wants to remain anonymous. Here is the battery of missiles I am to field: ‘What’s the right age to get married? At 35 years and earning N35,000 monthly as a graduate, is it advisable to get married to a secondary school certificate holder lady? Can the N35,000 cater for the new family?’
11.0 Questions such as these make me thankful for this socioemotional Q & A rendezvous. It’s a crying shame this mental intercourse is just a weekly. While I apologise, I know you know that we are hampered by time or the lack of it -rather than by interest nor the lack of it. Now, let’s play!
12.0 As you already know, the guy who sponsored this entry has pleaded anonymity. But, of course. You didn’t expect him to hang himself out to dry like that, did you? Still, we thank him for giving us something to work with, something that will certainly help many others.
13.0 Let’s start discharging the battery of questions. One, there’s no right age to get married -in that sense. Some of the people who paired up at 17/18 are still together, some of those who did only after turning 40/50 had since divorced. With marriage, the trick is to never rush but also never delay unnecessarily.
14.0 Two, being a stickler for humour, I couldn’t miss the point about being 35 and earning 35k: it is so so so funny. Surely, Da, you won’t be 200/300 years old before you start earning that much in thousands and more. This is it: remove your eyes from your salary. Start a business by the side and have for yourself another or even better stream of income!
15.0 Next, ‘is it advisable to get married to a secondary school certificate holder lady?’ This is as unfair as it is disrespectful to the lady you are in a relationship with because educational qualification does not determine what or amount of money a good wife can bring to the table in marriage. If -by any bit- you are looking for the excuse to leave her (what you tag advice), ASK THE BOSS is too smart to offer it. Listen, my friend: if people who have no education whatsoever also succeed in marriage, those with half or a quarter of it cannot only succeed but also better!
16.0 Furthermore, vis-à-vis ’can the N35,000 cater for the new family?’ here’s something you should know: a small family with a monthly income of a million naira can still struggle big time. The magic is management. If your wife and you are prudent and patient, your 35k can one, see you through and two, grow into millions. The magic of personal economy (in fact, of all economies) is not more money; it is planning, discipline and patience.
17.0 I am done, Guy. Remember to pray for grace. It’s about the only other extraneous requirement needed by someone eyeing success, after such a one had readied and complied with basic natural rules. May Heaven guard and guide you.
God bless Nigeria!
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