“…That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet”. This make me wondering why people add so much to titles, names, ranks and profession. This is common in developing countries where Chief and Doctor becomes the order of the day and anybody without any such title is a “nobody”.

Not been called a “Doctor” does not turn a “Doctor” into a “Farmer”. Pride is indeed one of the ingredients that make people want to be called titles and names; they just want to increase their ego. I’ve not said calling a Doctor a “Doctor” is a crime or attaching appropriate prefix to a person’s name is a bad idea, all I am saying is that attaching so much priority to those prefix is not worth crowing about. Normally, such prefixes signify someone’s profession, position or academic qualifications, but these days its all about your hierarchy in the society.

Misuse of these prefixes is something we should talk about. Typical illiterates these days buy honourary degree in local institutions in corrupt countries and then you see someone who find it difficult to read is called a “Dr” and in some cases he is awarded “Dr” in courses like literary studies, (maybe he is a “Dr” of illiteracy).

In developing countries where the idea of title is so alarming, you will find that no politician is without a title, its either a “Chief” so-and-so or “Dr” so-and-so. These guys are usually so poor academically that they may never have been able to acquire so titles legally, but here they are getting it so cheap at the back door.

Pardon me for this paragraph for I have no right to speak about God’s anointed. But religiously speaking, Reverend, Pastors, Deacons, Prophets, Prophetess, Apostles are so confusing that one might have to go and find out the exact meaning of those prefixes. Most of the so-called “Rev. Dr” are just teachers and this apply to most of the other preachers who prefer to be called something or the other whereby in the real sense they don’t even merit such names. How about Imams, Alhajis, Sheik and the likes, in Islam most titles are acquired from much learning or by virtue of what you have achieved, but these days those without such titles just give themselves and those with those titles want everyone to address them as such.

If it is as cheap and easy as that, maybe I should be addressed as “Genius Ivor” even though I know nothing.