Better A Clever Beggar Than A Thief, By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

From all indications and at all times, most Nigerians are ingenious, either positively or negatively.Take a look at the data of those that are into cyber crime, armed robbery, kidnapping and so on and so forth, you will agree that Nigerians are unbeatable in the world.

Even in sports, especially football, forget about the recent woes that have beset the nation’s football flag bearers. The country is an admixture of what a famous author called the bad, the good and the ugly.
This reminds me of a poor man from a village who never went to school, any kind of western education at all, back then in Kano, who displayed a common sense of cleverliness in the process of begging.
The man visited Alhaji Aminu Dantata, one of the early Nigerian millionaires, to commiserate with him during the naming of his child. When the man was about to take his leave after greeting Dantata, he brought out N100 and gave it to his host saying: “please accept this token from me to buy even if it is baby pants.”
Alhaji Dantata was soundly surprised, received the money with a lot of enthusiasm. When the man was gone, Dantata turned to his other guests, most of who were very wealthy too, saying: “since I was born, today is the first time someone would offer me monetary gift.”
Yes, many people thought that millionaires did not need financial assistance. Rather, it is they, the millionaires that are constantly destined to be “giving.”
The poor man, who offered Dantata his first ever monetary gift was later to enjoy a chunk of Dantata’s wealth.
The history repeated itself in Abuja recently when a man, just coming out of higher institution and serving his National Youth Service, donated N10,000 cash to the campaign purse of President Goodluck Jonathan, who has just been adopted by all organs of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to run for the second term in office, come 2015 general elections.
The man, Mr. Ezemagu Sunday Nnamdi, in a covering letter along with the cash, assured President Jonathan of the continued support of patriotic Nigerians even as he appealed to him to seek re-election in 2015.
“Nigerians are behind you. We see your good works in power, transportation, education, housing, ICT, sports, electoral reforms, observation of the principle of federal character and the creation of investment opportunities.
“The insurgents who are trying to destabilize your Administration are enemies of peace and progress. You will surely defeat them,” the youth corps member wrote.
Responding, President Jonathan expressed his appreciation by the gift which he said deeply touched and encouraged him, adding that Nnamdi’s expression of confidence in his administration’s achievements and immense support the government has been receiving from young Nigerians in all parts of the country are the tonics that keep him moving.
The President assured Nnamdi and other young Nigerians that he will continue to do his best in the service of the nation in keeping with their trust and expectations.
“Your gracious gesture is particularly gratifying, coming as it does from one of our nation’s vibrant and gifted youth who are our successor generation and for whom our Administration is unequivocally committed to providing the requisite environment to optimally realize their tremendous creative and productive potentials.
“As I carry on with the task of positively transforming our country for its God-ordained greatness and prosperity, I will continue to count on the goodwill as well as the practical and prayerful support of committed patriots like you.”
Jonathan made it clear that he will continue to count on the support, goodwill and prayers of patriotic Nigerians as he strives to give the best possible leadership towards the positive transformation of the country.
When the story was told, I just shook my head and, running in my brain (the thinking network) was and has been “clever Nnamdi.”
After all, he knew that N10,000 would not even do to print 100 copies of Jonathan posters; that the Presidency and PDP are spending billions, yet, he chipped in his widow’s might.
And, you think it is for nothing?
As a matter of fact, Nnamdi has just shown that, to survive in today’s nigeria, you either steal (raw thief, including robbery, etc and pen-robbery as well as kidnap) or you beg.
He decided to go for the latter. That is to say, it is better to beg, dignifyingly than to steal.
For, in Nigeria, you beg to be employed on public and private establishment. You beg before your legitimate salary is paid. You beg before you get contract and for the money to execute it to be paid. You beg the President, governors, lawmakers to contest election to continue with the good work they have been doing. Or the President, governors and lawmakers beg the people to beg them to contest elections. You beg to marry a woman and beg your child to go to school. This is a nation where things don’t work until you beg; a nation of beggars. And a nation of thieves! Those who take middle course are none existence.
The result of the pittance and ridiculous N10,000 cash, plus the enticing letter that accompanied it, even if it was an arrangement from ‘the top’ from corper Nnamdi would soon manifest into quantum of opportunities, money and fame. I found myself blaming myself for not thinking faster than Nnamdi and doing a thing like that before him. Lucky him!

[su_heading size=”14″] Read More Articles From This Author:  Yusuf Ozi-Usman [/su_heading]

[myad]