Behold, another good Nigerian! Josephine Ugwu, despite being a lowly
cleaner at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport has become a
celebrity. Her face is now known the world over for something positive.
She attained celebrity status because of her honesty. While on duty at
the Airport, she found a bag which contained N12millon, in different
currencies. For many people of her status on salary of N7, 800 only,
this could have been an opportunity to bid bye to poverty, albeit
dishonestly; and not a few people of comfortable status in our midst
could have readily appropriated the money, celebrating their luck. But
not Josephine; that for her would be filthy lucre. She did not negotiate
with her conscience whether or not to return the money because
according to her, she had been brought up not to take what does not
belong to her.
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We commend Josephine Ugwu for her honesty and courage in returning the money, in the face of all the challenges she might have been facing going by her paltry salary. Her action goes to prove that poverty is in the mind and no one has a reason for stealing at any level, high or low. It also exposes the fact that goals set due to ostentatious expectations of trying to keep up with one's neighbours, when one is not capable, can only be achieved by pilfering.
We are of the opinion that this singular action should be celebrated by one and all - the nation, government (federal/ Lagos), her state/local government, as well as her town, her company and especially her people for bringing them honour instead of disgrace that so many bring when they are caught in unbefitting acts in the name of hustling.
Josephine Ugwu has also proven that everything is not about money and that not all Nigerians are criminals. Money surely cannot buy the peace of mind that doing the right thing brings. There are many rich people today who in spite of their wealth do not have peace of mind because of how the money came.
Dora Akunyili, may God rest her soul, was also celebrated after a singular act of honesty, when she retired excess dollars from money that had been approved for a medical trip and operation because she found out at the end of the exercise that she did not need all the money. There are many today trying hard to achieve celebrity status, spending lavishly to gain acceptance, but Josephine Ugwu and people like her have confirmed that your good character will surely speak for you on the long run. And what more, the kind of fame that follows is not flimsy and whimsical. People should always bear in mind that a good recommendation always leads to elevation.
We believe that as a nation we should also seize this opportunity to reflect on our changed societal values. Previously, more people would do a good turn without collecting gratification or bribe. Life was easier and less stressful at that time. It is obvious that some of the stress we are experiencing is manmade. We have allowed our cultural reward systems and structures to be hijacked by many miscreants who then turn round to rub it in our faces by enslaving us. People like Josephine Ugwu are the true role models who should be showcased to inspire and motivate other people, especially the youths, to uphold our cultural values and norms that actually frown at pilfering and being a brigand.
We opine that leadership should actually be bottom-up. A good leader does not have to be known the world over. Just being a good role model creates ripples that touch the lives of so many other people. Good adults who take the trouble to teach children good moral values are actually good leaders. Repairing Nigeria should be the responsibility of everybody and Josephine Ugwu and her breed have shown that earning trust is worth its weight in gold. Personal greed on the long run spoils business for management and the individual concerned because the loss of name is such a loss as no man can restore.
Josephine Ugwu by her example has challenged Nigerians, no matter their status in life that people should appreciate what they have and manage it well because a person who cannot manage a little will surely not be able to manage much. Happiness is the ability to be happy in any situation.
