SIR: Once upon a time in Nigeria, before morals vanished like a cloud of smoke, there were behaviours that conformed to accepted standards of responsibility. In that era, one could not be conferred a national honour unless one had rendered services to the country, Nigeria, without a pay or any financial reward.
Nigeria’s national honour, in accordance with the National Honour Act, was enacted to recognise individual’s selfless service and to appreciate individual’s loyalty and patriotism to Nigeria. Not an overnight loyalty but a consistent one.
When the late legendary comedian, Moses Adejumo Olaiya (Baba Sala), the pioneer of Yoruba comedy on radios and televisions, was, in 1978, awarded the national honour of the Member of the Order of Niger (MON) by the then head of state, Olusegun Obasanjo, the gesture was greeted with jubilations and was applauded by many Nigerians. It was believed that the honour bestowed on the legendary comedian was well deserved.
Of course, ‘Baba Sala’ deserved the honour because that was the period when his likes: Hubert Ogunde, Akin Ogungbe, Duro ‘Ladipo, Oyin Adejobi, Ishola Ogunsola (Dr I Sho Pepper), Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love), Lere Paimo (Eda), Ojo Ladipo (Baba Mero), Afolabi Afolayan (Jagua), Ola Omonitan (Ajimajasan) and their contemporaries did and rendered great services to the country, most especially in entertainment industry.
Even female actors were not left out. Actresses like Taiwo Ajai Lycett, Toun Oni, late Bukky Ajayi, Mojisola Ishola Ogunsola (Iya Alakara), Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero), Joke Silva, Abiodun Atanda (Madam Kofo) and others also contributed their own quotas to the greatest of the country.
This period was the time when those veterans inserted their brains, energies and what have you, to renew and sustain the hope of Nigeria and Nigerians. Their works guaranteed the survival of the first television station in Africa. I can boldly say here that without these legends’ contributions, the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) which was later named Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) wouldn’t have survived. They did not only do this with no or little pay, they were consistent in their loyalty to Nigeria.
In those days, patriotism and loyalty were placed above richness.
But today, I can boldly say that the recent conferment of Nigeria’s national awards leaves much to be desired. Apart from few individuals who deserve the honours, there are numerous, who ought not mount the podium or go near where conferment are done. It’s really a pity and a surprise that such honours could be dished out like bean cakes to every Tom, Dick and Harry while those who truly deserved them were left out.
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Isn’t it a surprise to have people like Teniola Apata and his likes whose loyalty and consistence have not been tested to some extent being conferred while the likes of Kollington Ayinla, who ought to have got the awards many years back were left out? What really are the criteria being looked out for nowadays to recommend people for the awards? Is the federal government looking out for loyalty, patriotism and consistency again?
I’m not at all sure that the bestowal of the awards is again based on selfless services to one’s country. It seems one’s affluence is the major determinant today.
I’m not saying that Teniola and her counterparts shouldn’t be conferred, but what I’m saying here is to know what exactly the selfless services these people had rendered to the country. Perhaps this is the reason I was not surprised when I learnt that Teniola showed no appreciation like ‘Baba Sala’ (MON) and King Sunny Ade (MON) did when the award was presented to her by the president, Muhammadu Buhari. It wasn’t also a surprise to many because that was precisely what a nation, which places affluence above morals, deserved.
I think the federal government and those in charge of this conferment need to do more. They need to, in future, scrutinise thoroughly those who are recommended for the awards. It’s not necessary the awardees are financially buoyant. It’s not necessary they’re politicians or government officials. A traffic warder or a teacher, who does his duty passionately, diligently and consistently deserves the award. By recognising these middle class individuals for these awards, we encourage a better Nigeria.
•Ademola Babalola.
Ibadan, Oyo State.