Mr. Badejo Orimoluwa, a retired headmaster in Okitipupa, Ondo State, recently, demonstrated a character which is quite rare in the lives of Nigerians. He returned overpaid money as gratuity to the authority in-charge. According to him, he was expecting a gratuity of only N100,000.00, but surprisingly, received a whooping sum of N861,663.00. He had to return the balance, N761,663.00, because he had already collected it during former payment exercises.
The Commissioner for Environment, Omolebi Adepiti, who was said to have been pleased with the elder citizen’s action, had to relate it to other pensioners waiting for their payments at the Methodist High School, Okitipupa. He promised to acquaint the state governor, Dr. Segun Mimiko, with such an exemplary act in this words: “This generous act will be made known to Governor Mimiko today(Wednesday, October 28, 2009) and I thank you on behalf of the state government for your God-fearing act.”
I want to commend Adepiti for realizing that the retired primary headmaster had set an example for Nigerians to follow(including him). His promise to bring Mr. Orimoluwa to the government should not be mere tickling the man or to attract commendation to any authority. It should go beyond the state level.
Nobody would easily believe that, in this present financial crunch and deep-rooted corruption in our society, you could get someone whose conscience is, in deed, burning in the fear of God.
In fact, the Environment Commissioner had said it all, that, his act shows fear of God, hence Nigerians should follow suit. But, if I may ask, how many Nigerians can emulate him? Many would see the circumstance as a “golden opportunity” or “divine luck” which must not slip away. This is because we see corruption as a way of having a share of the national cake. Quite irrational!
Corruption cannot lead us to anywhere good. Rather, disgrace and shame waits as many as indulge in practices that portray moral criminality. Just like the convicted Olubode George, in particular, in spite of his popularity, influence and wealth, see where he and his cohorts are today. Right there inside prison, what a shame! Even, aside his wife’s defence of his innocence and being a victim of political acrimony, as well as her fate in their court appeal, her hubby’s credibility and integrity in the society is eroded.
We are in a society where evil is celebrated and given the highest recognition. People, especially public office holders, commit atrocities with impunity. They move about unhindered, while those with conscience are suppressed from been seen or heard. Politicians, people in positions of trust just have the alacrity to do anything they want and go unchallenged, without minding the feelings of others.
Nigerians honour those that do not deserve to be remembered. But, those with proven integrity are relegated, because they do not have the wherewithal to command influence. Elder citizen Orimoluwa has shown the stuff he is made of; a man of high social standing. And, it is my belief he would have similar products. Honours should not be based on material possessions only, but what positive impacts they will have on the public. He is an epitome of what a society should be, and therefore, deserves to be honoured.
A living conscience is the only key to a successful re-branding. If Nigerians are honest, and have conscience, the level of criminality all round would be minimal. We are multifarious in religion, yet, criminality is at its peak. No positive impact of churches and other religious sects on the society, as conscience has since been bought over by greed and quest for material gains.
Nobody would have believed that a retired primary school headmaster, whose dependence is on gratuity for the upkeeps of his family, could have such level of contentment as not to be moved by the temptation of overpayment. He fears his conscience, which is God, knowing quite well condemnation would be upon him if he had kept the money.
This brings me to the issue of the INEC Resident Commissioner in Ekiti State, during the gubernatorial re-run election, April 25, 2009. Mrs. Ayoka Adebayo, the REC, initially wanted to demonstrate her God-fearing trait by threatening to resign her appointment, if put under duress against her conscience by political bigwigs and electoral fraudsters. I quote her; “I’m a Christian, I can’t work against my conscience.” At last, quite piteously, her conscience based on her acclaimed Christian faith, was reportedly mortgaged when the ovation was high. That is the irony of what we profess daily as religious adherents.
Those to be given national honours should be the likes of Elder Citizen Badejo Orimoluwa, whose conscience is alive. It should not be those whose theirs are already rottened, the white- sepulchres.
The government of Mimiko, which one of its officials has said would be related with the rare act of the retiree, should immortalize Orimoluwa. He exhibited an extraordinary life of a gentleman. It is my humble submission.
