The American Robber Barons and their Nigerian Counterparts.

Cornelius Vanderbilt (transportation), John D. Rockefeller (oil), Andrew Carnegie (iron and steel) and some others had two things in common. Firstly, they were famously known as the robber barons of America. This is a historically disdainful term that was applied to the behavior and practices of this group of unscrupulous and despotic individuals who got their illicit riches and wealth through crooked business dealings and corrupt dalliances with government officials.  

Secondly, as vilified as these powerful men were, a majority of them did everything possible to redeem an individual image battered by years of greedy self-enrichment. Not only did they provide jobs for their fellow Americans, these men also gave out much of their wealth and riches to philanthropies and charities in the bids to assist the needy American citizens in the area of education, health care, medical researches, rural development and several others. Till date therefore, many of them have their names positively immortalized. Today, the Americans have the Ford Foundation, Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Carnegie Mellon University, Rockefeller University, Vanderbilt University and several others. 

The same however cannot be said of the many Nigerian “robber barons”. Since independence, a few Nigerian individuals and their families have cornered and subjugated the economy of our naturally-endowed nation. This, they achieved by their dabbling into the political landscape of the nation. However, while the American robber barons left behind legacies of charities and philanthropies, their Nigerian counterparts are notorious only for stockpiling riches in local and foreign banks. If at all, any of them tries to exhibit some entrepreneur spirit, it is only to exploit both their workers and customers. Yet, the truth is, some of these individuals are so stinking-rich that they can team-up with others or single-handedly provide needed charities or affordable services to their hapless fellow Nigerians in the areas of Arts, Sciences, medical (researches/physical structures), education, banking/finance and rural development.   



There are a few exemptions though. Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony donated an entire patient’s ward to the National Orthopedic Hospital in Igbobi, Lagos State. The same man built what he christened “Ayinke House” which still houses a major section of the Ikeja General Hospital in Lagos State. Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony did all of these things altruistically. The others can borrow a leaf or two from the late gentleman.