CHECKING ABUSE OF TITLES.

BY
LINUS EGEDE

Any Individual irrespective of sex, occupation, rank, position or profession, naturally has a title. A title is therefore used to denote a person’s gender, rank, profession or occupation. However, the craze for title is so prominent in Africa compared to the western countries where people are simply addressed as Mr. or Mrs respective of the person’s status. A case in point is former American president, George W. Bush, former Secretary of the State, Condelese Rice, who despite academic qualification Henry Kenisse title was and is still simply addressed as Mr. W. Bush. Who despite their qualifications as addressed as Mr, Miss or Mrs as the case may be. This is not so in Africa. Its is common to see an individual bearing chains of tittles, even when he or she never laboured for them.
A political office holder may be addressed as Chief Honourable Elder Dr. and so on. It is most embarrassed as “ Doctor”. In most institutions of learning, academic titles are given to people without due recognition to merit. The ugly development is increasingly becoming more rampant because most of such institutions uses it as an avenue to ensure better funding. Worried by the development, President Goodluck a the first convocation of Gombe State University condemned in entirely a situation where people are awarded doctorate degree and other certificates because they are of financial benefits without taking into consideration that education requires methodological processes to acquire for one to gain sufficient knowledge that would enable the person to impart adequately on others or competently defend the certificates when the need arises. This anomaly is not limited to the education sector alone but also in the religious arena circle where only the wealthy class are not only given front seats during days of general worship, but also awarded titles indiscriminately because the belief among preachers who put economic consideration above other considerations. Even in different communities, people are also awarded titles because they have the money to buy them thereby defying tradition systems where such honours are based on one’s hard work, achievements and contributions to the society. During gatherings, some masters of ceremonies, have at one time of the order been abused, directly or indirectly punished, threatened, or even openly confronted by some influential people simply because some of their numerous tiles were not mentioned. Daily experience has further shown that most people awarded titles no longer live up to expectations in their places of official assignments. While some become more corrupt, looting public treasuries to the detriment of the poor masses, others see titles as a social elevation that has made them untouchable. As a way of addressing the problem, there should be a stringent constitutional provision spelling out the procedures and criteria for acquiring titles as well as sanctions that go with it in the event of a breach of such legal framework by those so honoured. Such a law should also be implemented alongside existing traditions norms and customs of the people as regards title acquisition. For instance, what is obtainable in the professional bodies where certificates of practitioners are withdrawn if found guilty of unethical conduct and other sharp practices should be emulated by other title awarding institutions. Favour-seekers and sycophants should also be educated on the evils as well as dangers associated with indiscriminate award of titles. Indeed, the current situation where some individuals are given honours simply for cheap economic gains and other selfish desires should be condemned by all. This is to pave way for merit, hard work and selfless services to humanity.

Source: Recorded live from FRCN daily commentary