By Tony Edemenaha
The recent incidents in the aviation sector, particularly the breaches in air safety protocols, have highlighted a disturbing trend in Nigeria’s approach to governance and accountability.
The handling of these incidents has created a template that will haunt the sector for a long time, and it is a reflection of a broader societal problem.
The issue is not just about the leadership; it is also about the people who enable destructive behaviours and celebrate mediocrity.
The incident on the Enugu Air flight from Abuja to Lagos, where a passenger refused to switch off his phone despite repeated requests, is a case in point. The passenger’s arrogant response to the purser, “Wetin happen for Ibom Air go happen for here now now,” suggests a lack of respect for authority and a sense of impunity. This attitude is not unique to this individual; it is a symptom of a larger problem that pervades our society.
When individuals are allowed to flout rules and regulations without consequences, it creates a culture of impunity. This culture is perpetuated by a system that rewards bad behaviour and fails to hold people accountable for their actions. The result is a society where individuals are strengthened at the expense of institutions.
A culture of impunity is dangerous because it undermines the rule of law and erodes trust in institutions. When individuals are allowed to act with impunity, it creates a sense of lawlessness and disorder. This can lead to chaos and instability, as individuals and groups feel empowered to take the law into their own hands.
Moreover, a culture of impunity can have far-reaching consequences for a nation’s development. When individuals are not held accountable for their actions, it can lead to corruption, abuse of power, and a lack of transparency and accountability. This can undermine the effectiveness of institutions and hinder economic growth and development.
The response to the recent incidents in the aviation sector is also telling. The fans and supporters of the individual involved have been celebrating and displaying solidarity, rather than condemning the behaviour. This is a reflection of a broader societal problem, where we often celebrate mediocrity and reward bad behaviour.
The behaviour of the airline staff in handling the situation is also noteworthy. Instead of following established protocols for dealing with unruly passengers, they seemed to have caved in to the passenger’s demands. This unprofessional conduct is unacceptable and highlights the need for disciplinary action against the erring staff. The airline must take steps to address this behaviour and ensure that its staff are trained to handle similar situations professionally and effectively, upholding the highest standards of safety and customer service.
We need to rethink our values and priorities as a society. Instead of celebrating bad behaviour, we should be rewarding good behaviour and promoting a culture of accountability and transparency. We need to strengthen our institutions and ensure that individuals are held accountable for their actions.
Furthermore, the preposterous offers of political appointments, product endorsements, all-expense-paid leisure trips abroad, etc., are not only laughable but also truly situate Nigeria as a theatre of the absurd. It is a stark reminder of the depth of our societal problems and the extent to which we are willing to celebrate and reward bad behaviour.
The consequences of no consequence are far-reaching and damaging. A culture of impunity can undermine the rule of law, erode trust in institutions, and hinder economic growth and development.
We need to take a hard look at our values and priorities as a society and work towards promoting a culture of accountability and transparency.
By strengthening our institutions and holding individuals accountable for their actions, and disciplining erring staff for unethical behaviour, we can create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.
*Tony Edemenaha, poet and social commentator, writes from Asaba
