16/08/2026
Monkey dey jump-monkey dey jump, na bcoz say tree near tree. Separate the trees & see how far monkey can jump.
The above Nigerian street parlance has within it a deep meaning that resonates strongly with the experience I had some time ago.
Recently, I was in a public place, and I overheard some people talking tough on an issue going on in their circle. They were not speaking in a low tone. Everyone around stared at them.
One of them didn’t waste time to inform others how powerful he is, trust Nigerians when they have green bottles on their table. All secrets are laid bare. He chocked the atmosphere with arrogance.
If you listen to him for just a minute, you could accurately tell his entire life history.
Considering the length of time and energy he dissipated in convincing his friends about his powers & contacts, you could easily tell that his arrogance was deeply rooted in ignorance.
From their conversations, you could deduce their affiliation with public offices.
Each person on the table competed to dominate the discussion, but that particular person had an upper hand.
At a point the show-off became irritating, especially when I realized that they were public figures.
I deeply wondered why someone who is driving public vehicle, spending public money, eating public food and enjoying other privileges associated to his office could exhibit such level of pomposity.
They completely threw away decorum, conveniently violated public conduct and social etiquette that should guide people managing public affairs.
I asked myself a rhetoric question, should circumstances twist fate and these persons’ offices, official vehicles and other privileges associated with their work are taken away, would they still sound this way or they will become humble?
I feel there is a need for public officers to be re-oriented on the issue of handling power and utterances especially in public domains.
Public office should only be used for the common good of the people and not for a show of force or display of wealth.
When those who made it through personal struggles from business or other spheres of life are displaying wealth and arrogance, those whose livelihood are dependent on public resources should learn to be humble.
The two are not the same.
You can enjoy your privileges in silence, you can’t be feeding on common-wealth and be bragging of over-feeding in the full glare of hunger-stricken people.
Remember, monkey dey jump-monkey dey jump, na bcoz say tree near tree.
Uche Ogbe
