“Everyone thinks someone else is the hypocrite, achievers believe that unrivaled feats and the celebrity status are sufficient but transformers know the secret of a pin upon a magnet”…Ena E. Orugbo
As the euphoria of Mandela’s interment subsides, the debate on who is greatest among Awolowo, Mandela and Nkrumah intensifies. Interestingly, related debates erupted in earlier times across various climes and spheres. In Mark 9:34 the disciples of Jesus disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. However, prior to proffering a valid answer to the question, who is greatest among Awolowo, Mandela and Nkrumah? There is need to peruse the delineation of men or groups into hypocrites (H), achievers (A) and transformers (T) in this piece.
Hypocrites
Hypocrites are everywhere and this writer was once one but never did realise. Therefore, the question arises, how can hypocrites be identified? Hypocrites are vocal and often generate the echo of other people’s misdemeanors, in the form of an alibi. These classes of people think wide not deep on issues and swiftly react to the preconceived breach of protocol of their neighbor. In plain words, hypocrites such as APC are a group of people that are best known for pointing their fingers at others with ‘intent’ to enlarge the mistakes of others, box their prey into self defense and subsequently a feeling of inadequacy.
This piece is in no way a justification for misdemeanor of those in authority or silencing of the opposition but a call for equity, broadmindedness and superior discuss. Make no mistake; no key difference exists between PDP and organized opposition (APC). Hypocrites leave out timely and significant issues and dwell on the mundane. As an illustration, in Matthew 15:2 the Pharisees asked Jesus saying, why are your disciples eating without washing their hands? A scrutiny of hypocrites’ intent shows that they bloat issues not because they care, but to arouse curiosity and make others feel like the shaft and they the achievers.
Achievers
The major difference between hypocrites and achievers is that the latter do not focus on others. Hypocrites and achievers however share a peculiar similarity, they enjoy the spot light. Achievers are too eventful to waste irredeemable time castigating others, instead they could often stop to ask and offer solutions to mistakes of others that become obvious. In addition, achievers such as Amaechi with giant but costly strides in education and PDP with four consecutive but questionable presidential electoral victories respectively are high-minded not ambitious and invariably most times consumed by self idolization.
It is on record that a PDP stalwart once boasted that his party would rule not ‘serve’ for 60 years even though the import of Proverbs 27:1 on tomorrow is explicit. The Thisday newspapers 2013 man of the year achievement award went to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for building a vibrant opposition party in Nigeria. Tinubu’s appropriateness for Thisday’s laudable award is unquestionable but a closer look at his custom frames and hat reminds one of the erudite and sage, Awolowo. A few posers arise such as can one double as an achiever and hypocrite at the same time or single as a transformer?
Transformers
Transformers have an inner fortitude; enjoy deferred gratification and always leave messy situations far better than they met it without recourse to shadow boxing. Transformers understand that time is irredeemable thus must not be wasted analyzing and apportioning blame. In other words the transformer is solution centric and thrives in an environment that stirs the best and not worst out of others. Guess what, it is easier to become a transformer than an achiever or hypocrite. There is nothing as tedious as being a hypocrite because hypocrites work hard and overtime to gather facts not truth and data not information to berate their prey.
However transformers who are always at the cutting edge like Mercedes say and see ‘the best or nothing’. Transformers like the magnet effortlessly reproduce their kind. When a pin or nail is fixed to a magnet it not only behaves like a magnet after a prolonged period it invariably becomes a magnet. Transformers are easy to access, encouragers and see treasures where others see filth, why? They know what the crowd does not and it was Mrs Folorunsho Alakija who said, I moved out of the crowd to get it right. A transformer who seconds as a billionaire knows that he is not a billionaire by raking in $10 billion but by making others billionaires.
In conclusion, hypocrites create victims, achievers spectators but transformers victors, see 1 Samuel 22:2 and then compare with 2 Samuel 23:8-39. In addition, hypocrites complain, achievers attain while transformers impact people positively. Debating on Awolowo, Mandela and Nkrumah is nice but coming home, are you a hypocrite, achiever or transformer? The answer and choice is yours but tarrying long at the Master’s feet is sure to transform whoever from whatsoever into a transformer, see Acts 4:13. At this point, you are kindly enjoined to answer the question, Awolowo, Mandela and Nkrumah, who is the greatest?
Ena E. Orugbo
classyena@yahoo.com