The biblical story of Cain and Abel takes us back and to remind us of the story of the two brothers that were born to Adam and Eve. The story unfolded with Cain and Abel offering sacrifices to God. Abel, being a shepherd, offered a lamb from his flock as a sacrifice, which God found pleasing and acceptable unto Him. Cain, on the other hand, a farmer, offered some of his crops as a sacrifice, but God did not show the same favour towards his offerings.
Seeing that God did not extend the same approval to his offering as the story goes, Cain became overwhelmed by jealousy and anger towards his brother Abel. Instead of reflecting on his own actions, Cain allowed his negative emotions to consume him. One day, in a fit of rage and envy, Cain lured Abel to a field and murdered him.
After committing this heinous act, again as the story goes, God approached Cain and asked him, “Where is your brother, Abel?” To this, Cain responded with a question of his own, asking God, “AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER?” With this response, Cain attempted to distance himself from any responsibility or accountability for his actions. He failed to acknowledge that, as a brother, he had a duty to protect and care for Abel, rather than harm him but he failed in that responsibility.
In the traditions and culture of most African countries, the extended family structure have always been the bedrock of Africans and indeed Nigerian civilization that existed for centuries. I happened to be a beneficiary of the structure because I lost my both parents when I was three years old and did not know until I transited from childhood to adulthood.
In most African countries, we cannot translate or find the meaning of uncles, aunties, nephews, nieces and cousins. Recently, my father’s brother’s son died and being the next to him in our family structure, it became my responsibility to take full cultural responsibility for his funeral. Therefore, by mobilising the rest of the family members for the funeral, I became my brother’s keeper and there’s a belief in our culture that there will be many good things coming to those members that participated in rallying round to give my brother a befitting funeral.
Many decades ago, soon after I was promoted to the position of managing director CEO of a multinational organisation, one of my father’s brothers read the news in a local newspaper and decided to come to my new office to congratulate me. When he got to the reception in my new office, he was asked if he had an appointment to see me, his reply was startling that the father does not need an appointment to see his son. While that was going on, a colleague of mine came by the reception and heard the dialogue, being an English man that had worked with me for some time and knew that my father was dead long time ago, he rushed straight to my office to announce to me that my father had arisen and was at the reception waiting for me. Of course, he was my father’s brother and had the right to refer to me as his son. So why can’t we be our brother’s keeper?
In today’s Nigeria, brothers are no longer brothers and sisters are no longer sisters. The ruling class has polarised and poisoned the wells, you can as well buy a brother or a sister, a mother or a father that you like. The family values have been compromised and replaced with mediocrity, leaders are no longer leaders and followers don’t have anybody to follow.
In my article on The Sun Newspaper of June 15, 2021, I wrote with the title “THE TERRORIST THAT WAS MANDELA”. In that article I showed how Mandela taught us how to be our brother’s keeper in the true sense of it. He also taught us how to endure, make sacrifices and forgive those who have wronged us, and whether they are sorry or not, he taught us how not to stay in power for too long.
Nelson Mandela in his “Long Walk to Freedom,” said, “Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front”. For 27 years, Madiba was incacerated but he led. The idea of someone else taking over the leadership of the struggle was unthinkable, even in his death he is still the symbol of the struggle.
Mandela’s way of leading was unique. He didn’t always need to be in the spotlight. He believed in supporting and encouraging others to take charge. He knew that true leadership is about helping others believe in themselves and inspiring them to be leaders too. Even when he was in prison, Mandela’s ideas and spirit inspired people to join the fight for freedom. He didn’t want anyone else to take over the leadership because he was dedicated to his vision and the cause. His presence gave hope and direction to the movement.
Even now, long after his passing, Mandela continues to represent the struggle for justice and equality. His legacy lives on, inspiring people around the world to work for freedom and human rights. Mandela’s leadership style reminds us that true leaders don’t just focus on themselves, but on lifting others up. His example teaches us that greatness is measured by the positive impact we have on others.
I have always believed that, if only 1 per cent of the entire human population would emulate the virtues of Madiba, the world would be a much better place.
Nelson Mandela’s exceptional leadership showed us the importance of being our brother’s keeper and letting them take the lead. Despite facing many challenges and spending years in prison, Mandela remained dedicated to the cause. Even after his death, Mandela’s legacy continues to inspire us to fight for a fairer and more equal world. Mandela’s dedication and unwavering commitment to the cause, even in the face of immense challenges, highlight the essence of being a brother’s keeper.
Now we speak of old people’s homes, something that was unthinkable some decades ago and in fact in some cultures it is not acceptable because there was always a way.
If we miss the way, there will be nothing left in those things we hold highly and those things that make us different from the rest of the world.
Some may say that it is always good to change, but change to what and to where?