What Nigerians can learn from Mark Zuckerberg’s visit

Most wealthy people in the West do not flaunt wealth. Mark Zuckerberg came to Lagos, and he was comfortable doing the things Nigerians consider ordinary. The simple way by which he comported himself showed that earned money is different from stolen money. Many people must have been surprised at the blandness of his wardrobe? But […]

Most wealthy people in the West do not flaunt wealth. Mark Zuckerberg came to Lagos, and he was comfortable doing the things Nigerians consider ordinary. The simple way by which he comported himself showed that earned money is different from stolen money.
Many people must have been surprised at the blandness of his wardrobe? But that shouldn’t be. Mark attended Philips Exeter in New Hampshire; one of the best college preps in America. They teach these things early in prep schools; character, learning and selflessness. In these schools, blandness is normal; formal dress is an Oxford shirt over plain khakis and penny loafers. Informally, you wear polos and boat shoes. The emphasis is on rigorous academic curricula, athletics and etiquette. America separates their thinkers and creatives early, and nurtures them.
It is important to know that real money is not loud. When money is earned, people work, not because they need money but because they derive joy in doing what they love and contributing to the body of knowledge and to humanity. They know relaxation is a fluke if the contrast of challenging work is absent. They don’t waste their lives in hollow pursuits of vain pleasure, material acquisition and conspicuous consumption.
How many rich people in Nigeria have really earned their money and contributed to humanity? Mark is comfortable in his own skin and has nothing to fear jogging on Lekki Ikoyi bridge or navigating puddle ridden curbs in Yaba, without the ridiculous immensity of sirens and armed escorts. If you check out their charitable giving, you will be surprised. It is in character; they don’t oppress… they build. They invest in people, not things. They make dreams come true, not shatter them. Real money has a strong sense of privilege and the responsibilities that comes with it.  Nigerians should learn from this; they should use money to assist humanity
Dr. Yemi Osindero wrote from Lagos