The Dearth Of Philanthropy

DON EBUBEOGU

Some of you saw the video on the comment section, which went viral almost at the same time that Dr. Cosmas Maduka condemned the “money na water” slogan, which is becoming more like a street anthem.

 

The “evangelist” in the video is a renowned MC who belongs to several prestigious social clubs in Nigeria. Okwumeleze is the real definition of Master of the Ceremony. He commands respect and dines & wines with the socialites. It is, therefore, trite to assume that he was addressing the right audience.

 

Nigerians are no longer giving to make an impact; we are now showing off by giving to each other in order to receive something in return. A classic definition of “Isusu”, “Ajo” or “WhatsApp thrift” to each other with the sole objective of collecting back in no distant time.

 

It is difficult to set up a WhatsApp group to raise money for the downtrodden or to rehabilitate a public place and achieve the same amount and enthusiasm you see when people contribute for their successful friends who do not need assistance to bury their dead.

 

Today, philanthropy is seen through the prism of how many WhatsApp groups you have appeared in and how many prestigious social clubs you can assemble at your beck and call.

 

It was therefore a shocking revelation when, in the course of my vested Interest in the welfare of the inmates of Onitsha Prison, I was told that the foremost Iruka Bread has been donating 300 loaves of bread weekly to the Onitsha Prison inmates for more than a year.

Let this information sink in. A woman entrepreneur has been supplying inmates 300 loaves with a street value of N500,000 weekly, translating to N24 million annually, without fanfare, and expects nothing in return.

 

The question we all need to ask ourselves – when was the last time we gave to those who cannot give us back? When did we last perform an act of kindness or generosity, not for the sake of our own social standing or to be repaid, but simply because it was the right thing to do?

Let’s take inspiration from the example of Iruka Bread and shift our focus from the superficial trappings of philanthropy to the true essence of giving – making a positive impact on the lives of those who need it most, without expecting anything in return.