Instilling the right values in citizens is a crucial aspect of national development. Despite Nigeria having many admirable individuals with positive attitudes, societal progress must be underpinned by a more widespread cultural transformation.
Transforming a society’s values in the 21st century requires a multi-dimensional approach that involves education, social transformation initiatives, policies and regulations, and effective leadership.
Transforming society’s values will involve sensitizing and educating young people in various schools and universities on the importance of moral values, ethics, and the need to be responsible citizens. Those in power and with constitutional authority must set agendas for social transformation initiatives by initiating programs and campaigns that promote social values and positive behavior changes in the society.
Such a transformation should prioritize promoting an environment of acceptance and self-reflection in our households and neighborhoods, while also fostering an inclusive and reflective environment among all societal tiers. Only by undertaking such vital changes can we hope to make a lasting impact on our nation’s future.
An industrial society requires citizens to hold values that align with its ethics. In this era of the fourth industrial revolution, Nigeria must not be passive onlookers. It is imperative we scrutinize our values, and adopt a technology-driven mindset – dreaming, thinking, and speaking this language of progress.
To truly become an industrialized nation, our policy makers must become adept at transitioning our economy from an agrarian one to a manufacturing powerhouse. Only then can we confidently establish ourselves as a force to be reckoned with in this dynamic world.
It’s a fact that Nigerians have a great flair for fashion and that there is untapped potential for a thriving textile industry in the country. We need to improve on our manufacturing industry, particularly the textile sector. This cannot happen without a sustainable supply of electricity.
The monumental fraud recently discovered in the power ministry exposed a major problem why the country remains in darkness for ages. Like most sectors in the Nigerian economy, there are reports indicating to a large extent that there is manpower shortage in the value chain of the power sector. These challenges need to be addressed to boost manufacturing in the country.
It would have been fascinating that Nigeria’s manufacturing industry stands out as a self-reliant sector, involved in all stages of production, from raw materials to high-value products. But Policy flip-flops, multiple foreign exchange rates, foreign exchange scarcity, multiple taxation, high interest rates, smuggling, insecurity and incessant power supply are some of the main reasons why the manufacturing sector is not thriving in Nigeria.
It is a pity that we continue to rely on the export of raw materials while other progressive nations are exporting capital goods to our shores. We cannot hope to achieve true industrialization without actively nurturing a flourishing capital goods sector and a stable power sector in a conducive business environment. It is astutely observed that Nigeria’s path to industrialization requires a stable political environment.
Unfortunately, democratic governance seems to be elusive in Nigeria, as evidenced by the lack of free and fair elections in the past two decades. This is in sharp contrast to other developed and developing countries, where democratic principles and industrial progress are interwoven. Regrettably, Nigeria has only seen variations of civilian governments, but not true democracy.
We find it distressing that despite the initial hope that democracy would end Nigeria’s persistent challenges of bad governance, economic failure, instability, and insecurity, the reality has been quite the opposite. Sadly, inter-ethnic and religious hostilities have surged in the current democratic environment, hijacking the peaceful nation and escalating violence beyond what was witnessed during military rule.
In today’s world, a pervasive sense of uncertainty grips us all. Whether at the individual, state, or national level, we grapple with threats that undermine our well-being and our ability to thrive. For individuals in Nigeria, this struggle is particularly acute. As a nation with the highest number of citizens living in abject poverty, many struggle to access the basic necessities of life.
Even the traditional extended family system, which has long served as a resilience mechanism against poverty, has been challenged by recent developments. In this climate of insecurity, it is crucial that we work together to find new solutions and forge a brighter future for all.
The once robust middle-class, comprising of prosperous individuals who were the backbone of financial support for the less fortunate in society, has now become feeble.
This has significantly reduced the ability of the underprivileged to save and invest, both of which are vital for economic growth and progress. It is quite disheartening to visualize a scenario where a worker, earning the minimum wage of N30, 000, is left to furnish the needs of not just one, but multiple unemployed graduates or children.
The government’s attempt to get a loan of $800 million to alleviate poverty by providing a meager sum of N5,000 to the impoverished citizens in selected states is an insufficient solution. Sadly, this approach only fosters corruption within our already flawed system. Any hint of corruption or unethical behavior can erode citizens’ trust. Those in power need to build trust with citizens, which is essential for a healthy and prosperous society.
Our values should be based on productivity. Handouts lead to a vicious cycle of dependency where citizens become reliant and unable to make valuable contributions on their own to society. Thus, instead of providing a lasting solution, it only breeds a group of individuals who cannot fend for themselves and are unable to make meaningful impacts on the community.
The safety of citizens and their properties at the state level has become a growing concern, as the state’s security apparatus has proven insufficient. Data on human development indicators indicate a glaring divide between Northern Nigeria, which is characterized by poor education, health, and backwardness, and Southern Nigeria which is developing, largely educated, and healthy.
Read also: Quality of values
While both regions have their strengths and weaknesses, there is a growing demand for state police or localized security enforcement, as the current centralized policing system has failed to deliver adequate protection. As a result, individuals are resorting to vigilantism to combat criminal activities.
To build a strong industrial economy, Nigerians need to shed their negative social traits and embrace positive values. We can learn from successful countries in the West and Asia and adapt some of their positive values to our own. Individually and collectively we need to do more to promote patriotism, unity, and development in Nigerian society.
We need to frown at corruption in public and private sectors in the country. Governments can pass laws, regulations, and policies that promote positive social values, such as honesty, integrity, and social responsibility.
Our leaders must be effective and accountable. Leaders can set good examples by living a life that is consistent with the values they want to promote. They can also mobilize citizens to support these values through public speeches, campaigns, and initiatives. In summary, transforming a society’s values requires a collective effort from institutions, leaders, and citizens. With the right approaches, it is possible to build a society that upholds positive values and behaviors in the 21st century. Thank you
(Concluded)
