RESPONSIBILITY

I was trying to catch some sleep the other day and then there was a knock on the door….(heavy knock sound)…  Only one person in my house knocks like that.  It’s my baby sister, Christiana and she does that when she has a probing question.  She has been trying to complete her school project work for some days now but every time she wants to use the computer, there is no power supply or it just goes on and off.  I saw the frustration on her face as she was about to ask her question. “Nothing seems to work in Nigeria. Why?”  I looked up and sincerely, I don’t know what to say to answer her question.  All I said was some things are just not right yet. I knew she does not understand what I said. I probably added to her misery.

However, upon serious meditation, I soon discovered the closest answer to my sister’s question.  It is lack of responsibility. Let’s talk about Responsibility today.  Now, responsibility is a compound word derived from two separate words: ‘Response’ and ‘Ability’.  In other words, it is the ability to respond to challenges.  A father is responsible for his family.  The security of the nation is the responsibility of the police.  The government is responsible to create laws and uphold the laws of the land.  Nothing just happens! Somebody is responsible for something!

      "Now, responsibility 

 is a compound word 

derived from 

two separate words: 

‘Response’ and ‘Ability’ "

I have since realized that not doing something is actually doing something. Are you able to solve the problems in your community?  It is either you resolve it or make sure it is brought to the attention of the people or institution that can do something about it.  A simple example is the electoral process.  We have the responsibility as citizens to vote people we want into power.  But some people don’t vote. Yes, they probably don’t have faith in the whole process and then they don’t cast their vote.  But not voting is voting. I say it again! Not voting is actually voting. If you don’t vote for the right person, you have automatically voted them out by reducing their chances of winning the election. That one vote is too important to be wasted.  Don’t forget, we cannot afford to leave no legacy for the generations yet unborn. This is our responsibility. Yes we can talk and analyze the wrongs in the country, but we can do better by doing something to correct them, no matter how little.