By Warefa Pereke.
Success is rarely a solo journey; it is often a ladder where those at the top reach down to pull others up. In many societies, we see a “Chief Empowerer”—a person of great means or vision—who invests in specific individuals, hoping they will become pillars of growth for the entire community. The goal is simple: create a chain of prosperity.
However, a disturbing trend often breaks this chain. Some who receive this help choose to lock the door behind them, refusing to let anyone else in. This refusal to empower others is more than just a lack of kindness; it is the highest form of greed.
These individuals become gatekeepers of progress. Instead of acting as a bridge between the benefactor and the community, they become a barrier. They crave a sense of perpetual superiority and demand absolute loyalty from those around them. To these people, helping others feel like a threat to their own status. They believe that if someone else becomes successful, their own light will shine less brightly. Therefore, they work hard to ensure they remain the only “success story” in the room, keeping others dependent on them for crumbs rather than teaching them how to bake the bread.
This greed is most visible in how resources are handled. When the Chief Empowerer sends “goodies” or funds meant for the public good, these middlemen often hoard them. They build the most expensive houses in the community, with high walls and luxury cars, while their neighbors continue to live in huts and struggle for basic needs. They do not see the irony in being a “big man” in a starving village.
In fact, they often take on grand titles like Chief, Oga, or Master to separate themselves further from the people they were meant to serve. They wear these titles like armor to protect their ego and their bank accounts.
Perhaps the most damaging part of this behavior is the sabotage of community projects. When resources are sent for schools, roads, or clinics, these greedy individuals may hold back the funds or find ways to stall the work. They realize that a developed community is a free community. If people have good schools and hospitals, they will no longer need to beg the “Chief” or “Oga” for help. By blocking progress, they ensure that the community remains in a cycle of poverty, which keeps their own power secure. They would rather rule over a wasteland than serve in a thriving society.
True empowerment is meant to be a flow, not a stagnant pool. The wealth and knowledge given to one person are intended to wash over the many. When a person refuses to pass on the torch, they are not just being selfish; they are stealing from the future. A person’s true value is not measured by how much they have accumulated, but by how many people are better off because they exist. Sitting at the highest height of wealth while refusing to lift a finger for others is not a sign of greatness—it is a sign of a very small heart.
Holding these individuals accountable requires the community and the original benefactor to move from a system of blind trust to one of transparency. One of the most effective ways to start is through the power of collective voice. When a community stops competing for the “crumbs” dropped by a greedy middleman and instead unites to demand a report of the resources sent by the Chief Empowerer, the middleman loses their grip. By forming a community committee or a “transparency group,” the people can create a unified front that makes it difficult for one person to hoard information or goods without being noticed.
Another key step involves the Chief Empowerer taking a direct interest in the “last mile” of their gifts. If the benefactor stops sending resources through a single person and instead visits the community personally, the power of the middleman is broken. The benefactor should insist on seeing the results of their investment—such as the number of new businesses started or the quality of community projects—rather than just listening to the reports of an “Oga.” When the source of the wealth begins to ask difficult questions and demands to see “new faces” being empowered, the greedy individual is forced to either change their ways or lose their position of trust.
Transparency can also be enforced through public documentation. In modern times, transparency can be as simple as a public notice board or a group chat where the Chief Empowerer announces exactly what has been sent to the community. When everyone knows that 100 bags of fertilizer or a certain amount of money was sent, it becomes nearly impossible for an individual to hide or steal those resources. This “public shaming” of greed, combined with a clear record of what was promised versus what was delivered, strips the middleman of their “Chiefly” dignity and reveals them as a common thief of progress.
Finally, the community must redefine what it means to be a leader. As long as people continue to bow down to “Ogas” who provide nothing but empty titles and high walls, the cycle will continue. Accountability comes when the community refuses to grant social prestige to those who do not help others.
Instead of giving titles to the man with the biggest house, the community should reserve its respect and honors for those who have mentored others and contributed to the common good. By shifting social rewards from “having wealth” to “sharing wealth,” the community creates a culture where greed is a source of shame rather than a sign of success.
