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Valentine O. Anaweokhai
There is a popular proverb that says: “speech is silver, but silence is golden”. I grew up to know about this proverb and I have found it to be helpful a couple of times. Especially when I am upset, and in critical moments, I applied this popular proverb, and it saved me from negative consequences and the situation at hand. So, I would say it is time-tested and embedded with wisdom. Indeed, words are important, but sometimes it is better to be silent. It is even preferable to say nothing and just watch. The following texts from the bible give us clues to the essence of silence in life. “The wise remain silent until the right moment, but a boasting fool misses the right moment” (Sirach 20:7). In another place, we read, “[there is] a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Eccles. 3:7). And finally, “transgression is at work where people talk too much, but anyone who holds his tongue is prudent” (Prov. 10:19).
From the above, it is obvious that silence is necessary for several reasons. If it is going to be more dangerous and destructive to speak, act hastily and speedily, when there is enough time to remain calm and silent, and as such, that may be the magic wand that would be most helpful, then as it seems, it is true that silence is golden. It would be better to remain silent than speak. In the same vein, if it is the case that a deep reflection and wider consultation may help to salvage a serious situation, then, why not, silence becomes golden. In addition, to avert a costly mistake, erroneous conclusion, false impression, and misleading people, due to limited facts and non-availability of sufficient information at the spur of the moment, then it is utterly preferrable not to even say anything. Sometimes, for religious and spiritual purposes, people who want to relate with God and liaise with the supernatural realm, often resort to moments of solitude, silence, and sober reflection. The belief is that God is heard more clearly and distinctly in silence (1 Kgs. 19:12-13; Matt. 14:23).
But the question arises, is it every time that silence is golden? How do we know when to speak or to be silent? How do we use our discretion to know what to say at the right time and when? Two instances come to mind. During the recently held #EndSarsProtest in Nigeria, I could remember it got to a time that people were becoming impatient with the president, Muhammadu Buhari’s long, uncomfortable silence in the face of the lingering protest. Thank God, he eventually delivered a pre-recorded speech which did not go down well with some Nigerians. At what stage during the protest was the president supposed to address Nigerians? Could his timely address have averted the ugly twist in the well organized and peaceful protest by the Nigerian youths that unfortunately turned bloody in the indelible Lekki toll gate desecration of the sacredness of human life and blatant abuse of the right to a peaceful protest? Why was the address not live? More so, at the advent of the novel corona virus pandemic, while most presidents in other parts of the world were personally giving periodic updates about the virus, and directly addressing their citizens, to alleviate the mood of panic and uncertainty that enveloped the globe, Nigerians virtually pleaded and cried for their elected president to address them at such critical moments of palpable despair and rising anxiety. Could one classify the president’s habitual silence in the face of these events and other happenings in Nigeria, to be golden? The issue of allowing the current service chiefs to respect public service rules of retirement, after serving their required years remains highly contentious. We still await the president to address this issue. Who knows, maybe after appointing new service chiefs, and we see their performance or non-performance, then Nigerians can conclude whether the “old service chiefs” or the “new service chiefs” are better.
How could we still regard silence as golden when it appears that life is no more sacred and sacrosanct, in the face of the countless deaths every day, due to the mindless killing and decapitation of human beings, occasioned by the high level of insecurity, terrorism, abductions, and armed banditry, and those who should be addressing the people are silent? With the constant attack on people’s freedom of legitimate speech, expression of opinion, and religious views [like we saw in the clearly articulated and good intentioned Christmas message of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah), where well-meaning people of integrity speak out against the vices of greed, avarice, corruption, violation of human rights, freedom, and dignity, injustice, nepotism, and hatred, and they are being haunted, hounded, and threatened, yet those who should speak out to address such imbalances in the system remain silent. What kind of silence is considered golden when the unity of a nation and a people is becoming more endangered and obviously calling for re-negotiation? When the assurances of our nationhood and sovereignty is an inch away from annihilation and subjugation? When peace, justice, and security are fast fading like mist from our horizon into the abyss of Armageddon, never to return? When lies, deceit, falsehood, and cheap propaganda have over-ridden the sanctity of truth, honesty, and integrity? When the aroma of mutual suspicion and distrust pervade the entire landscape of our collective humanity? And those elected to utter honest words of hope, assurances, and encouragement to the people, when it matters most, are silent and mute, like cadavers in the graveyard. It is at moments like this, that silence can no longer remain golden. In fact, intentional silence becomes more injurious and harmful than the shortest of speeches. To say the least, silence, to this extent becomes immoral.
Nigeria, no doubt is going through a lot of pressing national issues. We have been serially assured and told that the present challenges at hand are being addressed. We patiently hope so. What should we do? First, there is need for relationship and trust building between leaders and the led. Second, respect for the dignity of the human person and sanctity of life have become inevitably expedient. Third, we must learn to always tolerate and accommodate people who hold different political, religious, and ethno-cultural views and opinions, especially those who sometimes constructively criticize the activities and policies of government, political, and religious groups. When people listen to one another empathetically and care to understand deeply how they feel and what they are going through, or what they are trying to say, then violence and crisis will easily be averted. To all leaders at various levels of our national life, silence is golden, but when intentional silence becomes an indirect means of endorsing and promoting systemic and structural evil, suffering and all forms of discrimination, injustice, and oppression, then, it is even more preferable to speak, otherwise, at the dawn of the new day, we may be compelled to accept the bitter truth and reality that the time has come for the unity of our beloved country (Nigeria) to be negotiated or not.