Prospects for happiness in Imo State
A few years ago, the nation was engulfed in incredulous disbelief when a report labelled Nigerians as the happiest people in the world! Bearing in mind the nation’s perilous security situation, low living standards, human rights abuses, and perversion of democracy, the report beggared belief even bearing in mind Abraham Lincoln’s famous quote that “folks […]
A few years ago, the nation was engulfed in incredulous disbelief when a report labelled Nigerians as the happiest people in the world! Bearing in mind the nation’s perilous security situation, low living standards, human rights abuses, and perversion of democracy, the report beggared belief even bearing in mind Abraham Lincoln’s famous quote that “folks are usually as happy as they make up their minds to be”. One person who evidently did not believe is Rochas Okorocha the Executive Governor of Imo State, and he should know. He governs a State in which white elephant projects take precedence over regular payment of salaries and pensions. It’s no wonder that his citizens, are unhappy.
In his pursuit of elusive happiness for the people of Imo State, Okorocha decided to create a Ministry of Happiness and Purpose fulfilment which sounds more like the name of a Pentecostal Church than a government agency! To oversee the administration of happiness, the Governor appointed his younger sister, Mrs Ogechi Ololo, as the Commissioner. In a piece of sheer gobbledygook government spokespersons said the new Ministry was “established to correct the policy framework to guide Ministries and Departments on what they must do to guarantee the citizens happiness and contribute better to society”. Trying their best to rationalise the Commissioners appointment, no attempt was made to highlight any relevant qualifications in social studies. Instead her quite irrelevant Master’s Degree in Computer Science was touted. In spite of the ethical issues involved her appointment was pronounced as a “wise choice”.
Unsurprisingly, many prominent citizens of Imo state and indeed throughout the nation have come down hard on the initiative. The immediate past State Governor initiated a verbal war by describing the farcical affair as “an abomination” asking pointedly “whose happiness are we looking for when salaries and pensions are not being paid? Is it the happiness of the Okorocha family and friends?” On his own part the Governor firmly believes, for reason best known to himself, that the achievements of the both the Ministry and the Commissioner will be so “amazing” that critics of the initiative will be shocked, and regret their initial condemnations of the new ministry even before it takes off. In all of Okorocha’s rush to justify the initiative it’s evident that he has taken little time to properly familiarise himself with research studies on the subject of happiness.
People don’t need a formal definition of happiness, they know when they feel it in a range of their emotions including joy, pride contentment, and gratitude. Social science researchers have for years tried unsuccessfully to enumerate all the elements of happiness which they refer to as “subjective well-being”. Although happiness is indeed a matter of opinion, there is a general agreement among experts that in order to be happy people must experience a sense that their lives are good, meaningful and worthwhile. A plethora of scientific research exists outlining precisely how happiness can be good for us, but there are also warnings that happiness must be pursued properly and for the right reasons.
Too much striving for happiness can be self-defeating especially in our competitive culture where Nigerians believe that more is better. Winning at all costs and having more of everything than everyone else is becoming deeply ingrained in Nigerian psyche. Excess money is equated with real success and happiness. Unfortunately, many of the ills of our society are the result of people seeking ill-gotten wealth in order to achieve personal happiness at the expense of others. Studies have also concluded that there are four ways in which happiness might be harmful.
Firstly, it isn’t suited to every situation. Most mad men roaming the streets are happy, but tshere can be no disputing that their happiness is misplaced. Unhappy emotions enable people to meet particular needs in specific situations. For example, fear alerts people to dangers, and anger teaches people to stay away from certain situations.
Secondly, happiness refers to a range of emotions and not all types of happiness are good. For example, excessive pride is a form of happiness to the individual, but it is not good for society. Thirdly, happy people tend to turn their attention towards existing and pleasurable things in life leaving mundane but important matters unattended.
Lastly pursuing happiness actually makes many people unhappy. The more they strive for happiness the less they seem to be able to achieve it. Ironically, the pursuit of happiness is driving some people crazy as it is often associated with serious mental ailments such as depression. There is no gainsaying that it isn’t right to feel angry or sad all the time, but it also isn’t right to feel happy all the time.
Happiness has its time and place. Experts assert that people with an “emotional diversity” who experience anger, worry, sadness and happiness, are much healthier than those whose emotions are always on the positive side. The conclusion of all recognised research studies on the matter is that true happiness isn’t something that can be decreed or administered by government, rather it comes from fostering kindness towards others and towards oneself. If his Excellency truly wants his people to be happy he should ask himself the simple question: “What goodness have I brought into their lives?” He should understand that people’s happiness revolves around the presence of the things like electricity, good roads, good hospitals, employment, valuable currency and personal security which better their lives. If these things are denied them, then there really is no point in establishing a Ministry of Happiness. It is trite that people need just three things to be truly happy in this world; someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for. The true way for the Imo State Government to facilitate happiness is to play their part, not by creating a government agency but by generating employment and giving citizens’ better economic prospects.