This Is Not for Civil Servants: A Mockery Masquerading as Marketing
There is a rising phrase in the marketplace of modern Nigeria. It is not born out of wit or wisdom, but from the dark wells of mockery. “This is not for civil servants.” That is the line, now stamped on car ads, promoted in social media skits, and tucked beneath the lips of the self-satisfied elite. It began with an Abuja car dealer who, in his bid to sell exotic cars, decided to insult an entire class of working Nigerians. What he called a catchy line is in fact a sneer, a slap in the face of decency.
Yesterday, I watched a video that pushed the mockery even further. A young man stood before a pen of rams, advertising them for the Eid celebration. The prices he mentioned were obscene, starting at 3.5 million naira. For rams, not elephants. With confidence soaked in arrogance, he smiled at the camera and said, “This is not for civil servants.” And the crowd laughed. People reposted the clip. Some added emojis. No one seemed to pause and ask, “What exactly are we laughing at?”
We are laughing at our nurses. At our teachers. At our clerks and secretaries. We are mocking those who keep government schools open, who record files, who monitor roads, who issue documents, who teach children how to write, read and think. We are laughing at those who have served this nation with decades of loyalty and have almost nothing to show for it. It is not funny. It is cruel. It is psychological torment clothed in humour.
More disturbing than the mockery is the mindset it reveals. It reflects a culture obsessed with wealth at all costs. We now measure human worth by bank balance, not by value, virtue, or contribution. It is the reason prices of basic things are bloated intentionally. It is the reason many now sell products not to meet needs but to manufacture social classes. A ram becomes a symbol of status. A price tag becomes a tool of humiliation.
What message are we sending? That honest work leads to disgrace? That civil service is a punishment? That the only way to earn respect is to become a millionaire, no matter how?
The damage is deep. When the phrase “this is not for civil servants” becomes a national joke, we are saying that labour is laughable, that discipline is a mistake, and that only crookedness deserves comfort. If this continues, a time will come when even the air we breathe will be branded, "Not for civil servants."
We must reject this culture. We must remind ourselves that wealth is not virtue. That ridicule is not wit. That every man who earns honestly deserves honour, not pity. The civil servant may not wear designer suits or drive a foreign car, but his place in the nation’s story is sacred. His sweat oils the engine of the country.
We need to stop laughing and start thinking. Above all, we need to start correcting. If civil servants cannot afford this or that, it means many things are wrong. Hopefully, someday soon, they won’t say, “This babe is not for civil servants. He cannot marry her."
FIRDAUS3:
This Is Not for Civil Servants: A Mockery Masquerading as Marketing
There is a rising phrase in the marketplace of modern Nigeria. It is not born out of wit or wisdom, but from the dark wells of mockery. “This is not for civil servants.” That is the line, now stamped on car ads, promoted in social media skits, and tucked beneath the lips of the self-satisfied elite. It began with an Abuja car dealer who, in his bid to sell exotic cars, decided to insult an entire class of working Nigerians. What he called a catchy line is in fact a sneer, a slap in the face of decency.
Yesterday, I watched a video that pushed the mockery even further. A young man stood before a pen of rams, advertising them for the Eid celebration. The prices he mentioned were obscene, starting at 3.5 million naira. For rams, not elephants. With confidence soaked in arrogance, he smiled at the camera and said, “This is not for civil servants.” And the crowd laughed. People reposted the clip. Some added emojis. No one seemed to pause and ask, “What exactly are we laughing at?”
We are laughing at our nurses. At our teachers. At our clerks and secretaries. We are mocking those who keep government schools open, who record files, who monitor roads, who issue documents, who teach children how to write, read and think. We are laughing at those who have served this nation with decades of loyalty and have almost nothing to show for it. It is not funny. It is cruel. It is psychological torment clothed in humour.
More disturbing than the mockery is the mindset it reveals. It reflects a culture obsessed with wealth at all costs. We now measure human worth by bank balance, not by value, virtue, or contribution. It is the reason prices of basic things are bloated intentionally. It is the reason many now sell products not to meet needs but to manufacture social classes. A ram becomes a symbol of status. A price tag becomes a tool of humiliation.
What message are we sending? That honest work leads to disgrace? That civil service is a punishment? That the only way to earn respect is to become a millionaire, no matter how?
The damage is deep. When the phrase “this is not for civil servants” becomes a national joke, we are saying that labour is laughable, that discipline is a mistake, and that only crookedness deserves comfort. If this continues, a time will come when even the air we breathe will be branded, "Not for civil servants."
We must reject this culture. We must remind ourselves that wealth is not virtue. That ridicule is not wit. That every man who earns honestly deserves honour, not pity. The civil servant may not wear designer suits or drive a foreign car, but his place in the nation’s story is sacred. His sweat oils the engine of the country.
We need to stop laughing and start thinking. Above all, we need to start correcting. If civil servants cannot afford this or that, it means many things are wrong. Hopefully, someday soon, they won’t say, “This babe is not for civil servants. He cannot marry her."
He is right make civil servant focus on wat they can afford..or u want make civil servant buy G WAGON OR G63S OR ROLCE ROYCE ...NO NAH..THOSE ARE FOR ASTUTE BUSINESS MEN AND WOMEN...IF CIVIL SERVAMT BUY AM NA THIEF.
Bebold:
Then civil servants should also see how they can be more productive for themselves.
Having side business can upgrade them too, while demanding better treatment from the government.
Let's not hush certain things not really proper in the society to silence.
The last time I checked, the more advanced a society develops, the lower the number of civil servants.
You can go confirm it.
Don't be comfortable with stipends, the society won't wait for you.
The issue is not whether CS should upgrade or not, it's the unhealthy environment the phrase makes that puts young persons under undue pressure to make ill-gotten wealth by any known and unknown means that calls for concern.
This is a reflation of the country, were hard work and decency is never ired, people see a noble career as stupid because it can make you a billionaire overnight, a country were take home pay cant take you home, and minimum wage can't wage any problem for you. We are lost and only divine intervention can fine us back.
Bebold:
Then civil servants should also see how they can be more productive for themselves.
Having side business can upgrade them too, while demanding better treatment from the government.
Let's not hush certain things not really proper in the society to silence.
The last time I checked, the more advanced a society develops, the lower the number of civil servants.
You can go confirm it.
Don't be comfortable with stipends, the society won't wait for you.
as a civil servant, (federal, I don't know of states) you are only authorised to engage in agriculture as a side business. What of people who are not privileged to do farm work?. If caught doing any other things apart from farming, you will be prosecuted or dismissed or both. That's Nigeria civil service rule.
Everything is not about APC or government, did you even read the write-up at all. It's talking about people's moral com today and disdain for value - hardworking class called civil servants.
Lawalemi:
We are heading to a terrible route under APC
1Alex:
as a civil servant, (federal, I don't know of states) you are only authorised to engage in agriculture as a side business. What of people who are not privileged to do farm work?. If caught doing any other things apart from farming, you will be prosecuted or dismissed or both. That's Nigeria civil service rule.
You are right 👌💯, ex COAS Gen Buratai built his snake farm around 2013. Dude was smart, venoms are good money for forex
FIRDAUS3:
This Is Not for Civil Servants: A Mockery Masquerading as Marketing
There is a rising phrase in the marketplace of modern Nigeria. It is not born out of wit or wisdom, but from the dark wells of mockery. “This is not for civil servants.” That is the line, now stamped on car ads, promoted in social media skits, and tucked beneath the lips of the self-satisfied elite. It began with an Abuja car dealer who, in his bid to sell exotic cars, decided to insult an entire class of working Nigerians. What he called a catchy line is in fact a sneer, a slap in the face of decency.
Yesterday, I watched a video that pushed the mockery even further. A young man stood before a pen of rams, advertising them for the Eid celebration. The prices he mentioned were obscene, starting at 3.5 million naira. For rams, not elephants. With confidence soaked in arrogance, he smiled at the camera and said, “This is not for civil servants.” And the crowd laughed. People reposted the clip. Some added emojis. No one seemed to pause and ask, “What exactly are we laughing at?”
We are laughing at our nurses. At our teachers. At our clerks and secretaries. We are mocking those who keep government schools open, who record files, who monitor roads, who issue documents, who teach children how to write, read and think. We are laughing at those who have served this nation with decades of loyalty and have almost nothing to show for it. It is not funny. It is cruel. It is psychological torment clothed in humour.
More disturbing than the mockery is the mindset it reveals. It reflects a culture obsessed with wealth at all costs. We now measure human worth by bank balance, not by value, virtue, or contribution. It is the reason prices of basic things are bloated intentionally. It is the reason many now sell products not to meet needs but to manufacture social classes. A ram becomes a symbol of status. A price tag becomes a tool of humiliation.
What message are we sending? That honest work leads to disgrace? That civil service is a punishment? That the only way to earn respect is to become a millionaire, no matter how?
The damage is deep. When the phrase “this is not for civil servants” becomes a national joke, we are saying that labour is laughable, that discipline is a mistake, and that only crookedness deserves comfort. If this continues, a time will come when even the air we breathe will be branded, "Not for civil servants."
We must reject this culture. We must remind ourselves that wealth is not virtue. That ridicule is not wit. That every man who earns honestly deserves honour, not pity. The civil servant may not wear designer suits or drive a foreign car, but his place in the nation’s story is sacred. His sweat oils the engine of the country.
We need to stop laughing and start thinking. Above all, we need to start correcting. If civil servants cannot afford this or that, it means many things are wrong. Hopefully, someday soon, they won’t say, “This babe is not for civil servants. He cannot marry her."
The civil service in most advanced countries is filled with technical and intelligent people, even if the politicians can be dull. It is the people behind that hold those countries. An Asian friend of mine once told me that after studying for his PhD, he was going back home. Their government has a strategy to recruit the best of the best, so you not only have to go to an ivy league school, you have to do well there. Charlie said private sector is not even as attractive as service because service pays very well.
That day I almost wept because it reminded me of how Nigerians in the 50s to 60s only traveled outside to learn what is done abroad and come back home.
Corruption is the bedrock of our civil service. They have some brilliant people there but the politics and corruption either makes those ones leave the civil service or keep quiet if they love their job. It's corruption that honors aza over honest work. It's corruption that makes honest workers look like mumu when they retire without houses and cars. This is why they now steal from the government because the government itself is not doing its job. Ask how civil servants in some state survive without being paid? Or is it pensioners that don't get current value of money as pension? Government has more to do with it than you think. If the government thinks the people that represent me must e well fed, they won't be renovating state houses and buying luxury cars. They will take care of their staff first. They will pay teachers very well because they know that the future of their students are important. Ask, how many times has ASUU been on strike? Look at the Press releases of the Presidency where they retract almost every time, it shows you that the civil servants in the office are not doing their work. When you watch plenary of the Senate, you ask yourself if the legislative Aides are working. You can't give what you don't have and you can't value what you don't take care of.
Civil servants allowed themselves to be used because politicians will come and go. You allow them use you, rubbish you and dump you. 🤡 Most politicians are idiots and I have no apology for that. They steal, loot, grab it, run away with it and take it abroad. They don't give a damn about the people. The people also allowed these 🤡 to step on them.
Even the the Develop country unless you use Loan Civil Servant can't afford most of his Car....
We hate the truth in this part of the world...
Even during the PDP Period when we say the Economy was good the least brand new car a Civil Servant can buy are mostly Kia Product and Dem Picanto nd some still AV to apply for bank Loan....
Buh as a Civil Servant you didn't take any Loan and you Can Afford any of Sarkin Car your finances should be check as Civil Servant...
