When Mr. Obafaiye Shem, Lagos State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, replied to an answer on Channels Television that “my oga at the top” knows it all he didn’t expect the hue and cry that followed. His statement went viral. The social media was awash with his pictures, videos and musical spoofs.
His crime? He was caught under the glaring eyes and listening ears of about one hundred million individuals revealing a secret: “my oga at the top”. He angered the corporate and public world. To punish him, an ignominious act was unleashed.
Serious lessons must be extricated from this incident. This phrase is not new. It only reveals a psychological disorder that plagues our public officers and to an extent, private corporate employees. Go into any office around Nigeria and this phrase walks in the air like a monster.
For example: Why have you not paid for my services? Reply: my oga at the top has not signed. Do you want to go for lunch? Reply: my oga has not approved. The syndrome has been in existence for over hundred years in Nigeria. An employee may use this phrase to show respect/fear for his boss or use it hypocritically for personal gratification. Whatever the case may be, we, at one time or the other, use it.
Perhaps, focus should shift to Mr. Shem’s demeanour as he answered the questions. Did he answer the questions well? Did his answers provide ample information about extortion of funds from potential job seekers? Was he clear? Did he understand the questions?
To answer the above mildly, he mocked the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. NSCDC should have sent someone else or refuse to grant Channels Television an interview. Did Channels Television send him the questions before hand? Can we conclude that Mr. Shem was clueless with regards to the important issues in his organisation?
Shem learnt his public behaviour, one may conclude, from a major oga at the top. Recently, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan lied to the world via CNN when he said, in response to power outages, “Our commitment to improve power is working. That is one area that even civil society members agree that government has kept fate which is promised.” Another oga, Bola Tinubu, when asked about his works as a governor some years ago asked the reporter: “Am I superman?”
Laughing at Mr. Shem shows that we, as Nigerians, cannot read in between the lines. This syndrome is everywhere you turn. Truth be told, you and I are victims of the oga on top or below. Secretly, you have admitted that someone is your oga.
Let’s look for a means to squash this syndrome. The cancer will move unto the next generation if appropriate steps are not taken. As humans, thinking is free. An oga at the top should never dictate obvious truths to us. Stand for what is right, regardless.
May the devilish confusing hands and tickling medicine of that oga in many Shems’ around Nigeria be cast out now!
God bless Nigeria.
By Michael Irene
Anglia Ruskin University,
Cambridge.
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