The Editorial Board
In questioning whether President Tinubu should have lavished such high honors and rewards on the Nigerian AFCON squad for their second-place finish in the Africa Cup of Nations, it’s crucial to reflect on the broader implications of such gestures. Awarding the team with the country’s highest honors, apartments, and land in Abuja, in addition to their $4 million prize money, raises concerns about the standards we celebrate as a society.
The dedication and effort of this team are undeniable, and their achievements have rightfully earned our admiration and pride. However, the magnitude of the rewards dispensed appears to be disproportionately large when considering the broader context of our nation’s current economic challenges.
At a time when countless individuals face the hardships of hunger nightly and numerous families struggle without adequate shelter, the lavishness of these rewards prompts a reflection on the balance between recognizing accomplishments and the imperative of addressing pressing societal needs.
The prospect of rewarding what many might perceive as mediocrity could potentially undermine the pursuit of excellence. It’s worth pondering what message this sends about the value we place on success and how we define it. If second place merits such rewards, one might wonder about the incentives for achieving first place or striving for continuous improvement.
This situation also touches on a larger narrative of values and performance expectations our society. The tendency to lower benchmarks for success across various sectors, from education to politics, suggests a gradual erosion of meritocracy.
The distribution of academic honors with increasing liberality, where only a moron will not be awarded first class or second class upper degree at graduation from some universities, the election of underqualified individuals to positions of power, and the diminished accountability for leaders in all spheres, underscore a troubling shift toward valuing mediocrity and incompetence.
Furthermore, this approach to rewarding the AFCON team could reflect a misplaced prioritization by President Tinubu in a country grappling with numerous challenges requiring urgent attention and resources. It begs the question of whether such substantial rewards are the best use of national resources, especially when considering the already privileged status of many team members as internationally recognized and well-compensated athletes.
To foster real progress and development, Nigeria must embrace a culture that truly values excellence, hard work, and merit, and reward people accordingly. This means setting and upholding high standards in all aspects of society and ensuring that rewards and recognition are reserved for truly exceptional achievements. Only by doing so can the country hope to realize its potential and encourage a future where excellence is not just celebrated but expected.
