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What Are You Really Worth?

Posted by: Benjamin Onuorah

By: Squadron Leader Rabiu - Rtd

I do not like calling names, but if it is for something positive, I do not really mind. In any case, no one can pursue me again🤣 I cannot exactly remember if it was during my Young Officers Course or another course, but I remember Gp Capt Dunama (then a Sqn Ldr or so) saying that the true measure of an officer is the man that he is when he is stripped of his uniform and rank.

I mean, there is a presumption that you ought to be worth the rank to wear it. But when you are stripped of the rank and uniform, how much are you really worth as a person? I am not speaking of the intrinsic value of every human being. I mean how would you be viewed by the same people who respect you because of your rank and uniform?

Some years ago, I saw one of those movies about global cataclysmic events. The known world was about to be destroyed, and only a limited number of people could be saved. They had to select people based on their skills and expertise. Engineers, doctors and such other professionals as were considered important for the rebuilding of the world after the event were preferred and selected over other professionals who were not considered to be so important.

Again, this is not the kind of value I am speaking of here. I believe that, depending on the context and situation, a fisherman may be more important than a doctor, and a carpenter more important than a lawyer.

The true value of a man, I believe, is determined by the measure of the milk of humanity that flows from him. Are you kind? Are you compassionate and considerate of others? Are you are humble enough to remember that you are still just a man even if God gave you the privilege of becoming a Service Chief, or even a President? Are you satisfied with your own, no matter how small it may be, or do you consider it okay to take that of your neighbour or subordinate even though his is ten times smaller than yours?

I know some people, and I am sure you know some too, who were like gods when they wore this uniform. Their names sent chills down the spine. They could destroy you in a blink if they wanted to. But after retirement, the music goes down and everywhere becomes unbelievably quiet. In a society like ours, people will sing your praise on your way to self-destruction, as long as they get some benefit from you. The worst thing that can happen to you is to let that praise singing make you forget the difference between good and evil, wrong and right. Just because people applaud you doesn't mean you are doing well. You must be a good judge of yourself by telling yourself the truth that your patronisers will not tell you.

You are not the man they say you are. You are cruel, cunning, devisive, a cheat, a thief. Maybe you are not all or any of these things. You are just self-righteous. Nobody is good enough for you and to you. You have therefore become unkind and uncharitable without even knowing it.

Your uniform, rank or whatever portfolio you should not be all that defines you. If there is no more to you than your office, then you are not worth much as human being. Your office is a gift. It is supposed to be a platform that amplifies the man that you are on the inside. Use it to do some good, make a difference, no matter how small.

This is not about senior officers, or only about officers for that matter. It is about you as a human being, wherever you may be, and whatever the office that God entrusts you with. Be known and remembered, not only for how beautifully turned out you are in uniform, be known and remembered too for kindness, compassion, sacrifice, genuine love for people and for country. That is how you will be measured.

By: Squadron Leader Rabiu - Rtd
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