I was wondering when Obama and Cameron were inuagurated to be president and prime minister of United States of America and UK respectively if any Army ADC were standing behind them and also whether these two world leaders always add title to their names like Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, MFI, OFR, CON, OON. These are leaders even when spoken their voices carry weight. They can destroy any country with their voices yet you dont find a soldier man standing behind them whenever they are addressing their respective countries.

But in Africa, you will hear something like President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, CON, OFR, OON, MFR, BSC, PHD. etc.and yet their voices do not carry any weight.

Pls lets hear your views

Kennyblues:

I was wondering when Obama and Cameron were inuagurated to be president and prime minister of United States of America and UK respectively if any Army ADC were standing behind them and also whether these two world leaders always add title to their names like Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, MFI, OFR, CON, OON. These are leaders even when spoken their voices carry weight. They can destroy any country with their voices yet you dont find a soldier man standing behind them whenever they are addressing their respective countries.

But in Africa, you will hear something like President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, CON, OFR, OON, MFR, BSC, PHD. etc.and yet their voices do not carry any weight.

Pls lets hear your views

There are security operatives in plain clothes two steps behind them (UK & US leaders) always. Besides African Heads of State do not understand security; they choose loud and noisy over subtle and effective.

The answer to your question is also in the answer to this question.

Why is it that Nigerians are perceived by others to be loud, proud and flashy.

We are different culturally, we have different beliefs and also we differ in the way we think.

Personally, i don't think these differences matter, what matters is making our own style to work for us.

We don't have to copy exactly what President Obama does just because he is the one doing it. Let us modify our own style till we find what works well for us. And for now, in Nigeria, titles mean everything. . . you can ask the average man on the street.

ziga:

The answer to your question is also in the answer to this question.

Why is it that Nigerians are perceived by others to be loud, proud and flashy.

We are different culturally, we have different beliefs and also we differ in the way we think.

Personally, i don't think these differences matter, what matters is making our own style to work for us.

We don't have to copy exactly what President Obama does just because he is the one doing it. Let us modify our own style till we find what works well for us. And for now, in Nigeria, titles mean everything. . . you can ask the average man on the street.

But is it not these differences that you so refer to that encourages corruption, sharp practices, etc?
Why is it that many public officials lie about qualifications? Do Africans not come across as crass and unenlightened when they use funny titles such Barrister Lagbaja, Ambassador Tamedun, Engineer wole?
The average Nigerian politician wants to be in government to steal so as to lord over others. As long as people continue to seek qualifications and positions just to be above others, then society at large will continue to suffer.

Is it not these cultural differences that perpetuate the grave imbalance in income distribution? We end up in a situation where everyone wants to have a white collar job because blue-collar jobs are for second class citizens. Result - so many doctors, engineers, accountants, etc roaming the streets looking for work. The imbalance in vocation leads to 'Big men' assaulting mechanics, drivers as well as raping house girls.

Katsumoto:

But is it not these differences that you so refer to that encourages corruption, sharp practices, etc?
Why is it that many public officials lie about qualifications? Do Africans not come across as crass and unenlightened when they use funny titles such Barrister Lagbaja, Ambassador Tamedun, Engineer wole?
The average Nigerian politician wants to be in government to steal so as to lord over others. As long as people continue to seek qualifications and positions just to be above others, then society at large will continue to suffer.

Is it not these cultural differences that perpetuate the grave imbalance in income distribution? We end up in a situation where everyone wants to have a white collar job because blue-collar jobs are for second class citizens. Result - so many doctors, engineers, accountants, etc roaming the streets looking for work. The imbalance in vocation leads to 'Big men' assaulting mechanics, drivers as well as despoiling house girls.

Our culture of titles has always been there. Even before corruption and greed became so popular. So, i don't agree that it is the reason for corruption.

It is our culture to respect everybody, and the addition of titles to deserving people's names make that happen. Check it out, street adresses are always of people's names, we have to add a title to every older person's name - uncle, brother. Our universities, airports have to bear people's names. Even married people have to get titles. . . Mr, Mrs. .  I know of people from other parts of the world who would prefer to be called by just their first name alone.

my point is these differences are irrelevant. that is just the way we are, and we should accept it.

About corruption, our culture of titles has been abused to suit these corrupt practices, such that undeserving people add titles to their names just to claim or demand undue respect from others. And this is just a situation where our culture has been taken advantage of. This only happened because of a breakdown in law and order, where people do whatever they like and there are no consequences.

And like you said, it may have resulted in lots of people aspiring to get white collar jobs. But despite these aspirations, we still have big time shortages in these white collar jobs.

Titles don't mean squart when society is like a cesspit. Some stupid practices in our society just need to be left in the trash bin.

You should have heard the VP of The Gambia, Aja Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy  who came to pay a condolence visit to our new president when whe addressed newsmen after.

She got tongue-tied when she said something like this:

" I came on behalf of His Excellency, President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh, President and commmander  in the chief of the armed forces of The Gambia to pay our condolences to His Excellency Dr. Jonathan Goodluck (or Goodluck Jonathan), President and commander in chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, "

I could not help bursting into laughter (despite the sober mood).

I thought to myself "so it's not only in Nigeria that this sort of things happen."

I have to admit, she took hers to a ridiculous extent. It was as if she would be deported by Nigeria or impeached in her country if she did not observe all the necessary protocol.

That thing NA CURSE! Empty barrels make the most noise so no surprise Nigerian leaders are like pangolo in the open market!

Did any one else see David Cameron on his way to the see the Queen before becoming PM? On his way to the palace, it was a 2 car convoy and they had to wait patiently in London traffic, no sirens, no dangerous driving , no jumping red lights , no intimidating other road users. On his way back from the palace, he had 3 cars (+ MI6 Range Rover) in the convoy. Again no jumping red lights (they did jump one infront of the palace), no sirens, no dangerous driving, no intimidating other road users. This is is the convoy of one of the most powerful men in the world. One of the reasons I love the UK.
The man will simply be addressed as Prime Minister David Cameron MP. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown will simply be addresed as Gordon Brown MP from now and life goes back to the way it was before he became Prime Minister (He,ll get 2 policemen to protect him)

pappilo:

Did any one else see David Cameron on his way to the see the Queen before becoming PM? On his way to the palace, it was 2 car convoy and they had to wait patiently in London traffic, no sirens, no dangerous driving , no jumping red lights , no intimidating other road users. On his way back from the palace, he had 3 cars (+ MI6 Range Rover) in the convoy. Again no jumpig red lights (they did jump one infront of the palace), no sirens, no dangerous driving, no intimidating other road users. This is is the convoy of one of the most powerful men in the world. One of the reasons I love the UK.
The man will simply be addressed as Prime Minister David Cameron MP. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown will simply be addresed as Gordon Brown MP from now and life goes back to the way it was before he became Prime Minister (He,ll get 2 policemen to protect him)

Thats what I meant about subtle but effective security; Not that IBB close traffic for 3 hours before going through a major road.

Check out the description of the Gambian president on this page


http://www.statehouse.gm/investiture_24042010.htm

johnie:

Check out the description of the Gambian president on this page


http://www.statehouse.gm/investiture_24042010.htm

His Excellency the President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh Grand Master of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia GMRG, FAAICL and Commander-in-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces on Saturday presided over the 2010 Investiture ceremony at the July 22nd square in Banjul. The colourful ceremony was attended by the Vice President, senior government officials, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, religious leaders and a across section of the society.

The Gambian leader conferred the prestigious national medals on 363 individuals, civil society organizations, institutions, and philanthropists who have distinguished themselves in various fields of service to The Gambia.

Katsumoto:

Thats what I meant about subtle but effective security; Not that IBB close traffic for 3 hours before going through a major road.

And what i'm saying is that the security situation and people's mentality in the UK very much differs from what we have in Nigeria.

I agree that our leaders have their excesses, but also, our people have their excesses too and that will affect the security details.

I see that a lot of people are very quick to compare Naija situations with the UK or US, and they fail to realize that the difference in society will greatly affect the way things can be done there.

Maybe when we have better road networks, reduced poverty levels, better levels of education, then we would have better organized/subtle security. Everything is interrelated in a complex way.

I'm sure if the British PM was to be in Lagos, his security details will include shutting down traffic for a couple of hrs too.

Sometimes, people don't seem to understand the effect that one small "negligible" societal/cultural can have. Ziga is stating truth.

ziga:


I'm sure if the British PM was to be in Lagos, his security details will include shutting down traffic for a couple of hrs too.

Fashola does not go about blaring sirens or shutting down traffic for a couple of hours!

That is beause Fashola is a rare blend of politics and revolvionist

That is beause Fashola is a rare blend of politics and revolvionist