It doesn't surprise me anymore when I see people doing everything possible to attain a powerful position in the society. You will agree with me that the world we live in today favors the powerful and influential among us. I believe it has always been like that before, and there won't be an end to it either.

The prompt reminded me of when I was trying to get into the Nigerian Army, acquiring power was one of the things that motivated me because I understood pretty well, even as a teenager, the importance of being powerful in Nigeria. I didn't intend to use it to oppress or cheat anyone, my goal was to protect and make sure no one treats my loved one unfairly.


![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmfRDo84N1hT9KVVGgbpMi5tzqUZUFCkrY6fGCeVhFQFzQ/1721467286431.jpg)

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Many times, I have seen people argue about power having an edge over money and vice versa. We can't deny the fact that money is very important, but being powerful or influential can overpower money in many situations. 

*Let's take, for instance, the issue of naira mutilation in Nigeria. Abusing Naira has become something very serious in the country, and different culprits have had to face the law for the offense.*

*The rich folks in the society can easily pay a fine or bail themselves out when found guilty in court, but the powerful or influential culprits do not even get charged to court, not to mention paying a fine, they violate laws and go scot-free with it.*


I have had many experiences that made me wish that I had gotten into the military when I tried, because powerful people in this part of the world find pleasure in trampling on people. It happens anywhere: on the road, in hospitals, at banks, and even in places of worship, which I find annoying the most.




I don't know if it's the same in other parts of the world, but many Nigerians can attest to this because, at some point in life, we have seen scenarios where money failed and power prevailed.



![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmUSp3bkEN4MXKfSP1QAFnA53dYCKWJAN29DVgPXH2iJMA/rnfetchblobtmp_6avpi8ezm45kc6z4vbpjai.jpg)


Sometimes in 2020, during COVID-19, I was in need of some money for something very important. There was a deadline, and I had to visit the bank since the ATM machines weren't dispensing more than 10,000 naira at once, and it's just one transaction daily for every debit card, if I remember clearly. It would have been better if I could make transfer but I couldn't. 

My first day at the bank ended terribly because I waited for over five hours and still didn't make it into the banking hall. I became worried because I had just two days left for what I needed the money for.

From observation, only people who got there very early and picked numbers between 1 and 200+ were able to get into the bank hall, so I made up my mind to go to the bank very early the next day.




Upon arriving there, the customers I met there were over 200 around 7 a.m. The thought of leaving crossed my mind, but after contemplating for a while, I decided to stay, and I got no. 268.

The line wasn't moving as it should, and the sun was burning like hell. Without exaggerating, I already emptied five plastic bottles of table water at noon and was sweating profusely while waiting for my turn.

Around 3pm, I estimated that I should be in before 4pm, and that made me happy since 4 p.m. was the bank closing time. Suddenly, a jeep came into the bank premises with a military convoy, and everywhere went silent as we wondered who it could be.




A man alighted from the jeep and was escorted by one of the armies he came with. They had no nose mask and just walked up to the door. It wouldn't have been an issue if they didn't push anyone aside, but he did.




He was rude, and even the bank's securities weren't helping matters. Some of the waiting customers felt offended, and before we knew it, they started fighting, even though the man had already entered the bank.



![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmZ4ajNpczFFhABoqBCZAYcGd3HQU1hhg7zXMnMWd3ntCY/1721467427068.jpg)


He came out some minutes later and just went straight to his Jeep. The little pandemonium that occurred caused the securities to stop allowing people in for up to 30 minutes. Someone who claimed to be the manager stepped down to tell people that the man who came was influential and they had to respond to him because he couldn't wait.


I was forced to ask: Do they think everyone here didn't have other things to do as well?

The manager just apologized and pleaded that we continued the normal protocol. Although they worked till a few minutes past 4 p.m but I didn't make it into the bank because of the time they had wasted. I left the bank premises feeling sad and couldn't do what I needed the money for the next day.


I ran around with the hope of getting someone to lend me money, but things were tough, and no one that I knew had such cash at hand. I went the next day again, even though it was pointless, and instead of withdrawing the money I needed originally, I withdrew all my money from the bank because I had the intention of not banking with them anymore.



![](https://images.ecency.com/DQmUSp3bkEN4MXKfSP1QAFnA53dYCKWJAN29DVgPXH2iJMA/rnfetchblobtmp_6avpi8ezm45kc6z4vbpjai.jpg)


But, I thought about it again, and if I am honest, the bank's securities manager didn't have a choice but to allow the man in despite him not following protocols. If I were the influential one as well, they would have treated me that way.


It is just how things work here, and there is no need to be too bitter about it. Again, I wished I was some sort of powerful person who could make the man ask for permission or even apologize to the customers on the queue for jumping the queue.



Being powerful comes with confidence and great feeling, and I will just urge those in that level never to inconvenience others or take advantage of people because of their status or position in society.

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<sub>All Image Are Mine</sub>

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