Before I commenced putting pen to paper on the above subject matter, I consulted at least four Lexicons, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of current English by A. S. Hornsby, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Chambers twentieth century Dictionary and lastly, the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 6th Edition.
All the dictionaries I consulted were equivocal on the use of the title “Excellency” as a prefix to presidents, Heads of State, Governors, and ‘ Ambassadors and their wives as His Excellency Ambassador, His Excellency Governor, His Excellency President, Her Excellency wife of the President.
There was nowhere, a minister; or a guber candidate can be addressed with the designation of “His Excellency” or “Her Excellency”.
The way and manner Nigerians forcefully grab and wrongly use titles has become not only nauseating but uncivilized and condemnable.
The title “His Excellency” or “Her Excellency” being freely used without earning has never been put up for sale to the highest bidder either in Nigeria or in any Country of the world. It is always been earned by status as the Excellency status is never conferred on who are wealthy, it is neither transferable, bequeathable nor acquirable as a result of chains of degrees. It is earned by merit by some special class of people in government. An “Excellency” status is a permanent one ie during and after life.
In the same veni, when I was a minor, a Bishop was regarded as one of closest allies to God. It was the belief that a mere touch of his garment would be the beginning of anointing but today, with the proliferation of Bishopric that deep spiritual feeling is not as strong as before because some of the heavy religious tittles are being put up for sale to the highest bidder by religious outfits.
Nigerians should learn to work hard to earn titles on merit and not titles to be bastadised by fraudulent means.
Those parading and flaunting the title “His Excellency “or “Her Excellency” unjustifiably should please STOP and THINK.
CHIEF TUBONIMI ARINYEDOKIARI
Aka Uncle TeeGee
