The absolute truth is that nepotism has been part of human existence since the world began, and I doubt it can ever be wiped off the face of the earth.
Many times, I hear people and politicians campaigning to get elected into positions of authority, saying they will be 100% fair in governing the system entrusted to them, that they will assign positions and jobs to qualified people rather than to their relatives or friends. Anytime I hear that, I quickly dismiss it because I believe that's almost impossible with the way the world works today. Once anybody gets into a powerful position, the next thing they do is bring their relatives into subordinate positions, and the world often recognizes it as "empowerment."
Take my state, Delta State, for example. I got to know that the current Commissioner for Sports is the governor's brother. Although the man is somewhat qualified to hold that position because he had been involved in sports long before his brother was elected governor, the big question is, "Must he appoint his own brother?"
That is how the system works. Once a person holds a position that gives them the power to employ or appoint others, they first consider their friends and relatives. It has been the norm for as long as I have known this world, and I don't think it is going to change until the world comes to an end.
Should this act be criminalised?
Maybe because I have never benefited from nepotism, I feel things should be done properly. If this practice needs to be criminalised in order to correct it, then so be it.
In my country, getting a job, even when you have the required qualifications, skills, and certifications, often depends on connections. In other words, you need to be known by or close to the person at the top who has the final say on employment. This has greatly affected our educational system because it makes it seem as though the entire process of education is meaningless when, after graduation, qualifications are no longer enough to secure a job.
But even if this system had favoured me, I would still believe it is a wrong practice and not something we should applaud.
For the past five years until just last month, my family, in fact, my step-grandfather, was the king of my community, a community where oil is produced. As you would expect, employment opportunities were secured through lobbying and connections rather than merit. You needed to see how it created hatred and conflict among members of my extended family over positions that many of them were not even qualified for in terms of certificates and skills. Even the top coordinators, who were not from the community, the local government area, or even the state, were bringing in their own family members to be employed. What a messed-up system.
Is there a situation where everyone is favoured?
Can there ever be a situation where everyone is favoured? Never!
It is just like what we have on this blockchain. Some big whales have brought in their friends and family members and automatically vote for their accounts, while ordinary members who put in their maximum effort receive little or nothing.
Thanks for reading.
Photo: Chatgpt
