T H E 8 T H W O N D E R O F T H E W O R L D ... - Naijamania

In 2004, Dr. Barnabas decided to increase the rent. Chief Davidson
didn’t take kindly to it. Therefore, he was issued six months’
quit notice, as the law stipulated.
Chief Davidson and his family packed out a month after the expiry
of the notice.
Chief Davidson left Dr. Barnabas’s house with an unpaid electricity
bill of over N20,000 and unpaid water bills of over N80, 000. He
also owed Dr. Barnabas eight months’ rent.
Chief Davidson’s civic responsibility was to have paid his electricity
and water bills to the government, while his social responsibility was
to have paid his remaining eight months’ rent.
There are a number of Nigerians like Chief Davidson and it is
noteworthy that they are normally the first to blame government
for ineptitude. They don’t understand that they have no moral
justification to castigate government when they are found wanting
in their civic and social responsibilities.
It is easy to point an accusing finger at government and at other
people, forgetting that our other fingers are pointing back at us.
Fulfilling our civic and social responsibilities is a must in nationbuilding.
Examples of our civic responsibilities include:
■ Paying bills
■ Paying taxes
■ Respecting public property. (Treat public property the way
you treat your personal assets.)
Our Responsibility
“A lazy man
always blames
his tools.”
African Proverb
T h e 8 t h W o n d e r o f t h e W o r l d - M a d e i n N i g e r i a 129