How ‘The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born’ Defines Nigeria’s Struggle with Corruption”
By Chimaza Nonyerem Okoronkwo
This metaphor aptly captures the essence of the current situation in Nigeria under various administrations, where allegations of corruption have surfaced, ranging from the suspension of the anti-corruption agency head to accusations involving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and often, the routine budget padding issues.
The recent corruption allegations against Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, have reignited questions about the country’s ongoing battle against corruption.
Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the efforts of genuine leaders and individuals to combat corruption have seemingly been futile, indicating a deep-rooted issue that has plagued the nation for decades.
These heartbreaking events remind me of a novel I read a few years ago while in secondary school, which explored the complexity and struggle of change in a corrupt society. The novel raises important questions about the role of the individual in confronting systemic corruption.
In Ayi Kwei Armah’s 1966 novel, “The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born,” a nameless narrator returns to his native Ghana after studying abroad, only to find a country mired in corruption and despair.
Though he is outraged by the injustices he sees, he feels powerless to take a stand against them. The novel explores the relationship between individual responsibility and social change, posing difficult questions about the capacity for reform in a broken system.
The phrase “the beautiful ones are not yet born” comes from a popular proverb, which suggests that the best people are yet to come to do the needful. In the novel, however, this proverb is turned on its head, as the narrator sees a society where even the children are corrupted by the system. This reversal of the proverb highlights the novel’s central theme of the struggle for change in the face of entrenched corruption.
In today’s Nigeria, there are individuals who are sincerely and genuinely making efforts to curb the plague of systemic and individual corruption, but like the narrator in the novel whose wife was part of the corrupt system the protagonist is horrified by the corruption he sees around him, yet he feels trapped by his wife’s desire to benefit from the system. The novel raises important questions about complicity and responsibility in the face of injustice.
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In the novel, the protagonist recalls the local proverb, The “chichidodo bird” which does not like excrement, yet it thrives on the faeces of cattle. This proverb symbolizes the protagonist’s disgust with the corruption and hypocrisy of his country, yet as a poor civil servant, he feeds from the proceeds of corruption that his wife brings to the table. He sees the filth and injustice around him, but he is powerless to change it.
The protagonist’s struggle mirrors the challenges faced by those in Nigeria who stand against corruption, despite the pressures and temptations that abound.
In the context of the past and present government, the Chichidodo bird’s dilemma is evident. On one hand, there are efforts to address corruption, as seen in the suspension of key figures accused of corrupt practices.
On the other hand, the allegations of budget padding suggest a systemic issue where the very mechanisms meant to regulate financial integrity are being manipulated.
The suspension of the anti-corruption agency’s leadership for abuse of office and the investigation into the financial transactions of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs highlight the complexities of fighting corruption within the system.
These actions could be seen as steps towards accountability, yet they also raise questions about the effectiveness of the institutions meant to safeguard against corruption.
The novel’s title, “The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born,” suggests a future hope for a generation free from the shackles of corruption. In Nigeria’s case, this hope lies in the possibility of reform and the emergence of leaders who, like the novel’s protagonist, refuse to be tainted by the corruption that surrounds them. It is a call for a collective awakening to the realities of corruption and the need for a steadfast commitment to integrity and transparency.
The story of the Chichidodo bird and the man’s journey in Armah’s novel serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of individual and collective action in the face of corruption. It is a reflection on the need for a new breed of leadership and citizenry that prioritizes the common good over personal gain, embodying the beauty of the yet-to-be-born ones who will lead the way to a more just and equitable society.
Corruption may take different forms in different countries, but the impact on individuals and societies is often similar. The novel highlights the human capacity for both good and evil, and how difficult it can be to break free from the cycle of corruption, as we have witnessed, especially since the transition to democratic rules.
One solution is to focus on individual responsibility and integrity. The narrator of the novel is often tempted by corruption, but he eventually chooses to reject it. This shows that even in a corrupt society, individuals have the power to make moral choices. Another solution is to create stronger institutions and systems that promote transparency and accountability.
Chimaza Nonyerem Okoronkwo
Life Camp Abuja
[email protected]
