As word leaked that world’s number one athlete, Tiger Woods as going to make a public appearance ever since going underground following the scandalous allegations of infidelity on his part, I joined millions of Facebook users all over the world to speculate what his words were going to be. So we waited with baited breaths as CNN announced it would begin the televised appearance of Mr. Woods on February 19 at 16 G.M.T. However, when Tiger walked into the room of people including his mother and friends, he held himself high and I was enthralled by the star quality he possessed despite his fall from grace. He made his speech, carefully chosen words and dramatic pauses conveying a picture of a man on the path of redemption. Even though his speech appeared to some to be a little choreographed, things were already looking brighter than they did last November when the story of the scandal broke.
Tiger’s world might share the same place with my own but socio-economically or culturally speaking, we are polar opposites. I imagined all the men in my country whose mistresses outnumbered Tigers’ and I almost laughed aloud at the thought of them making the sort of speech Tiger made, and in a room full of people too. First of all, the world’s number one athlete exonerated his wife from all blame, choosing to accept full blame himself. I am yet to see that kind of chivalry in Nigeria where name calling and blame shifting has held us captive.
The culture of accountability in advanced countries, which begins from the home – a very important unit of the society- seems to be the strong base upon which these countries are built. The less known American may escape all the media attention, even though he will most likely offer explanations for his actions in a litigation prone society like theirs. In the case of public figures however, there is a call for accountability which will require confession and sincere preparations to seek help in the countless rehabilitation homes which abound in the land, otherwise such a person will be staring down the long road to ruin. In Nigeria, this practice is almost so alien that people will spare no words in arguing that such a practice is as a result of America’s over-indulgence of its people.
What we fail to understand is that when a man is called to answer for his actions, the society is saved from the grip of totalitarian regimes or dictatorships. This seemingly simple act will have such a ripple effect on his immediate environment and the country. He will not take the state for granted and know as a matter of fact that his one action is never isolated. We must make conscious efforts to start taking responsibilities for our actions.
It starts from the home which is the cradle of the nation. Where a father unleashes his fury on his wife because she has had the effrontery to ask about his whereabouts after coming home late at night, irresponsibility takes a firm root. Where a child hides his end of term report sheet from his parents as a result of failure in his examinations, the trend towards selfishness and unaccountability is already taking root. When a leader steals without reservations, public funds meant for the use of the people, the result is stagnation after almost 50 years of independence. The hope for a better Nigeria has been the glue that holds the country together, and although we accomplish most of our aspirations looking up to an omnipotent God, there is very little we can achieve without taking a step back and looking at things dispassionately.
Having survived total chaos by hair’s breath after the swearing in of Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, one is forced to reflect how accountability has become the root of our problems. From the moment the President, Umaru Musa Yar Adua was flown out of the country last year, many Nigerians have been busy with speculation and rumour mongering. At the seat of power in Abuja, there was a bewildered silence and mystery that was hard to understand. No one could tell if our ‘representatives’ in government were serious or joking when they insisted that the President could rule in absentia and without leaving the necessary ground work for effective government while away. Now that the storm has passed and some order of sanity temporarily restored, there are still questions over the handing over of power to the Vice President in a way that many have largely considered unconstitutional. Whatever the legal consequences of this act and the conspiracy theory surrounding it, it is obvious that the leaders do not see themselves as accountable to the people of this great nation. A culture of accountability must be cultivated to move this country forward, otherwise getting into the same class or category with industrialized nations by 2020 is nothing short of a pipe dream. It is not a system that shows weakness but rather a strength to overcome the impulse of an inherently flawed human nature. At the height of the scandal involving the South Carolina governor last year, some people I happen to know were rolling their eyes. They couldn’t understand the “brouhaha” surrounding this “little slip” or his subsequent confession and admission that he would be seeking rehabilitation to save his marriage.
“What is the big deal if he cheated? These people and their culture sef,” one fellow in particular noted with a snort of derision during an in house discussion about the affair. Another laughed, slapping the other’s outstretched hand. “It’s his business how he conducts himself in his marriage. I like Naija sha,” the first speaker added with a short laugh, earning nods of approval from his buddies.
I might be filled with jingoistic pride and patriotic zeal, but one thing I refuse to accept as normal is our lack of accountability. My friends may have their own reasons for liking the usual Nigerian ways but I can say such reasons are based on selfish inclinations. After all, is it not fun to live in a society where you will not be questioned for any action you take, no matter how harmful it is to your fellow country men? I recall one other incident at an upscale restaurant in Lagos with some friends. One of the men who had been regaling the table with his jokes all evening, came up with another one, “Nigeria is the only country in the world where you will drive at over two hundred kilometers per hour and the police on the road will be shouting bros well done, carry go.” I remember cringing, folding my already petite frame into an uncomplimentary half, and wondering where the humour was. My embarrassment was compounded by the sight of the only white face on the table. While I could almost see the back teeth of my fellow Nigerians, this white man could only offer a feeble chuckle.
Nigerians must not take pride in lawlessness or actions which define our society as one that is sadly lacking in traits of an advanced society. The burden is on every Nigerian, great and small to imbibe the spirit of accountability. When we ask with righteous indignation for the findings of the numerous panels of inquiries set up since the creation of this country, up until now over every problem that has pulled us down, let us not be hypocrites, wondering why Tiger Woods or the South Carolina governor have to be made to undergo such humiliation over “small sins” because until we are responsible for our actions, asking the government to establish a strong problem free society is like asking a sumo wrestler to pass through the eye of a needle.
Lessons From The Tiger Woods Saga was published
In Guardian Newspapers on February 22, 2010.