Is Africa Under The First Son Curse?

Being an offspring of any nation’s president ought to be one of the vital coveted privileges in immediately’s possession-obsessed world.

The alternatives and privileges are countless. They’ll virtually want for the moon on a stick at dawn and have Santa at their beck and name.

One would count on these vastly favoured to make use of their positions to make an impression, contact lives, and construct up fairly than scatter and tear down.

Take the US, for example. A number of of the First Kids in current historical past have excelled in several areas of their pursuits, like Caroline Kennedy, Chelsea Clinton, and Barbara Pierce Bush. Even Donald Trump’s Kids, Ivanka and Eric, have held their very own.

Africa has its share of shining examples, too. However the continent can also be plagued by tales of First Kids who’ve both been within the information for the incorrect causes or are solely talked about after they get married, have accidents, or have interaction in another exercise that doesn’t finally contribute to the underside line.

Of irresponsible first sonsIt is gloomy to say that, to a big extent, Nigeria and its First Sons appear to fall into the second class. For a few of these first sons, leveraging the totally different platforms for the general public good isn’t on their menu.

The 42-year-old Duduzane Zuma, son of former South African President Jacob Zuma, falls into the primary class. Since his father was president, he has been dogged by varied scandals, starting from a highway accident that turned a culpable murder case to corruption allegations.

Regarding the accident, Duduzane was stated to have misplaced management of his Porsche on the highway and hit the rear of a taxi. The Taxi driver, a mom of a two-year-old, died immediately. Three different individuals have been additionally severely injured. One of many accident survivors had narrated that Duduzane was dashing earlier than hitting their minivan taxi.

Profligacy as lifestyleThe eldest son of President Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema Obiang (nicknamed Teodorin), is not any stranger to controversies and scandals. He has been embroiled in varied probes and sanctions over what has been described as his ill-gotten belongings.

In January 2025, cash laundering prices from the Brazilian authorities landed on Teodoro’s door. Lengthy prior to now, the UK and United States authorities prosecuted him for one corruption or embezzlement allegation. He was as soon as convicted in France and acquired a suspended licence and a high quality of €30 million, a high quality he might have paid by merely dipping his hand into his again pocket.

Nguema was stated to have paid £400,000 to rent a Superyacht Tatoosh for a Christmas cruise on which he entertained Eve, a rap singer.

The worldwide media has additionally criticised him for spending about R10,000,000 (greater than $500,000) on a weekend of Champagne in South Africa, property renovations, and luxurious automobiles.

One can safely say that Mr. Teodorin Obiang is best identified for his profligate way of life than for policy-making and governance, regardless of being a major staple in his father’s authorities.

One other President’s son infamous for his outrageous way of life is Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso, the son of President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville).

Like his Equatorial Guinea counterpart, Dennis-Christel, who turned 50 in January 2025, has been integral to his father’s administration and has held a number of important positions throughout the Congolese authorities and public enterprises.

In fact, like his African friends above, Denis-Christel has been embroiled in corruption and embezzlement-related controversies. Stories have it that Investigations have linked him to important monetary misconduct, together with a case through which he was accused of corruptly acquiring $50 million from nationwide treasury funds. Both he retains the important thing to the treasury or has a spare underneath his pillow.

Tens of millions Blown on FashionIn 2007, World Witness, a UK-based NGO, revealed paperwork, together with Sassou Nguesso’s bank card payments, which confirmed that he spent a whole bunch of 1000’s of {dollars} on buying sprees in Paris, Marbella and Dubai.The paperwork revealed that on 3 June 2006, Denis-Christel spent €10,225 on Louis Vuitton and $35,000 on purchases from designers corresponding to Roberto Cavalli and Louis Vuitton in August 2006 alone.

Although he took the NGO to courtroom in London for publishing the paperwork, the presiding decide dismissed his case.

The French authorities has additionally investigated him for utilizing proceeds of embezzled public funds to accumulate luxurious properties in France.

As stated earlier, the story has been barely totally different however not essentially higher again dwelling in Nigeria.

A brand new daybreak?Since 1999, when Nigeria returned to democracy, youngsters of the primary household have been embroiled in a single controversy or one other. Not a lot might be ascribed to them relating to constructive contributions to Nigeria’s well-being and progress.

However who is aware of?With the outstanding however quiet and protracted acts of public service and philanthropy we’ve seen from sure quarters, we may be turning the nook on that chapter on this new dispensation.

It seems there may be hope for Nigeria and Africa but.

Maxwell Uzochukwu wrote from Lekki, Lagos.