By Mercy Sani
Every student’s dream is to become a worker in an organization, institution or ministry after graduation. Students put more effort in their studies so as to come out with flying colors and get a good job.
People from poor background are more committed in their studies than those that are born with silver spoon. They put their time and energy hoping that one day, their story will change. They spend hours without food, treck in miles and even spend night reading without sleep with the expectation that their future would be great.
Unfortunately, after graduating with good results, they end up being neglected in the society with no hope of getting good job. Undeserved people with poor result, uncapable hands end up obtaining good jobs simply because they have upper hand.
This chattered the hope of people making them not to put school to be their first priority. They would say “what is the essence of going to school since our certificate have no value?”
In Nigeria today, is very hard for a common man to get a good job without godfather, with your good qualification and good training you cannot get a job unless you have connections.
It is a great challenge to our dear country as the unmerious and weaker ones get to top and leave the vibrants down.
It has become almost impossible in Nigeria for you to hold or get public office in Nigeria without the influence of a powerful force behind you known as a “God Father”.
However, we as citizens must begin to end this menace that has eaten deep into the fabric of our Nation’s workforce . We must begin to emancipate ourselves from the beliefs that constrain us as people, rather we must ensure that incredible and accountable people are giving opportunity to serve in our country’s labour force.
This act is not just prevalent in Nigeria society, it is
everywhere and has different name in different countries.
In my view Government at all levels should also curtail the activities of god fathers in all public ministries to ensure that only meritious applicants are employed.
For instance, Political godfatherism in Nigerian politics has eaten deep into the nation’s political space and economy. It has led to political slavery, puppetry leadership, and dogmatic citizenship. A concept of governance that forces its citizenry to accept Pyrite as Gold – which eventually becomes nuisances in office; with no vision or practical solutions to the ever-increasing issues and challenges in the economy.
We have many examples of godfatherism in Nigeria, take a look at former governor of Lagos State Babatunde Raji Fashola, most people believe that he became the governor of Lagos state all because he was close to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We also witnessed godfatherism controversy between governor Godwin Obasaki and former National APC leader, comrade Adams Osomole .
Godfatherism can also be seen as the activities of a particular group of individuals in the society that are wealthy, influential and strong in the environment that contribute to the development of any interest group or political party in the country, which view them as a superiors individual, with such advantage they regard them as a strong elite and respect their authoritative decisions for both the masses and the rich because of their power.
Godfatherism is responsible for malfunctioning of economic productivity. However, the issue is neglected by the concern authority charged with maintaining the sanctity of the system.
When will the poor get rich? Since the rich are getting richer and the poor continue getting poorer. Nigerian Government needs to cross check this activities and put eye in recruitment and intake of workers so as to take the qualified and deserved ones, this will give hope to the common man.
It is very necessary for all Nigerians to stand and say NO to godfatherism in the nation so as to completely eradicate poverty, unemployment, injustice, corruption, oppression, under development and insecurity to lives and properties.
Mercy Sani is a student of Mass Communication,l Department, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi.
