“AND THE STANDBY GENERATOR BOWS OUT”

Seriously speaking, pretense is one word that should be treated like a virus and kept at alms length. Unfortunately our society is one in which pretending is a skill which everyone is eager to showcase.   We carry our pretenses to our private outfits, to our homes, churches, mosques and even public offices which we hold in trust on behalf of the people. This ugly modus operandi unfortunately is not considered a sin (even though it is) but rather celebrated as if it is normal.

When a man dies we equally pretend to be the best of his friends.  That is when you see massive out pouring of accolades in the form of tribute.  Ironically only very few may have appreciated the fellow while he was living. The needful that ought to have improved his life positively, is ignored but at death the tears flow in torrents, what an irony of life!

The death few days ago of Coaches Stephen Keshi and Shuaibu Amodu is to say the least double tragedy. While arrangement is still being made to give Keshi a befitting burial, Amodu who has already been laid to rest can best be described as one time “Standby Generator” for the NFF.  On two occasions he qualified the Nation for the world cup but was not allowed to take the team to the competition proper. He was called in at both times to savage a difficult situation. His exit and return to the job reminds you of the pendulum, yet in all of this he remained ready to answer the comeback calls whenever he was approached. For such a man you would expect that at least he should be appreciated by ensuring that he gets his due without hassles. It may not be proper to continue to apportion blames as to why he was owed by both the NFF and the Edo State government what is important right now is to encourage relevant authorities to settle the debts even though it is coming too late for comfort. Let us henceforth as a people learn to appreciate people when they have done well especially while they are still alive.  A labourer deserves his wages and owing a worker even if it in vogue is not a virtue. A pat on the back for a job well done while the worker is still alive, is better than an epistle he can neither see, read nor feel.