I propose that we emulate our South African brothers. The African National Congress [ANC] welcomed the idea of initiating a moral/integrity summit. The movement was based on a culture of high social and personal values rooted in ubuntu -an imbibed and strong African spirit that promotes good moral and human kindness to one another inclined in ancient Southern Africa-, which were articulated repeatedly through the years of its growth. The battle to overcome oppression had a long history and encompassed many strategies of non-violent and armed struggle. The deep ethical content and spirit of the Freedom Charter, signed at Kliptown in 1955, made it not only a rallying cry for their struggle, but a guide to many throughout the world. African National Congress [ANC] President, Chief Albert Luthuli received the Nobel Peace Prize for that initiative. Although, the African National Congress discovered with regret that, at times, some of its members deviated from its principles, but through good and bad times the moral integrity of its purpose and direction remained clear, it endorsed the repeated statements of its leadership that corruption will not be tolerated in its ranks. Cheating, stealing, dishonesty, nepotism, careerism, opportunism, and the manipulation of money or patronage are not acceptable. Such activities inadvertently undermine the principles of any setup that intends to succeed and develop, and should definitely not allow its cadres to practice them.
Unlike corruption that has cancerously eaten into the citizenry or the selfish governance our leaders have resorted to today, even unconsciously instilling in youth cunning ways to make money fast thereby promoting pernicious acts such as armed robbery attacks, ritual killings, cyber crime which has climaxed over decades in our country, good governance and conduct is lucid and transparent, and so cannot be hidden just as the Bible says, “Can you light a candle and hide it under a bushel in Matthew 5:15”, also good governance cannot be hidden. Good governance is one full of integrity: selfless, sacrificial, serviceable acts, transparency, accountability, and care for the people of the country as a whole. Nigerians as such have to commit themselves and everything they have to the struggle for a new, just and moral community. Self-sacrifice of personal enjoyment, time and money is real: we all share resources and dangers, hopes and fears. Far from being helpless victims of terror, we should possess a high level of integrity and sense of commitment which inadvertently would bring out the best of humanity within us and affect our nation as a whole positively. The ethics of social responsibility is to be considered a public issue; a matter of urgent attention reserved for not only the government but for the entire citizenry. Knowledge, theology, and social behaviour have been confined to politically approved forms as against what should be the norm .To attempt to liberate the people from immoral acts has presently become criminal. Social injustice is now the order of the day. By perpetuating a system they know to be a lie, respectable people have been indoctrinated by their own propaganda, and become incapable of recognizing truth. In a country where lies are proclaimed as truth, honesty is devalued. When elder statesmen are allowed to practice deception with impunity, national integrity has been corrupted. Plenty of lives have been thrown away by unnecessary conflicts and clashes.
Integrity seeks to ensure not just the goodies of a particular position, but follows closely the verse in the Bible in Proverbs 22:1 [NIV] that says “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold”. Therefore, religion out rightly has an important role to play in the transition from an immoral society to a just society with basic moral values and integrity. Most religious groups are deeply committed to the new nation, and are trying to overcome the resistance of those who still limit their faith to personal morality, and those who relish their role as critics but not co-workers in nation building. Rediscovering the positive role of religion in transforming society has also taken time. A transition to an era in which there is no religious discrimination opens vistas which are full of promise(s) to some and of horror to others. Both religious and political attitudes in Nigeria have to be reassessed in ways which promise a critical and constructive relationship for the nation. Hope and anticipation walk side by side with uncertainty, insecurity, and fear. Some seek to manipulate it for their own immoral purposes. The process of changing from an immoral to a moral society presents many opportunities for exploitation by those who are confused, those who wish to manipulate the situation for their own advantage, and those who are willfully corrupt, criminal and violent. It births people of great vision and commitment, women and men who put their energies and enthusiasms into the collective good of the nation. Others, still dominated by the self centered individuality of the past, will practice violence and conflict, corruption and immorality, hypocrisy and selfishness.
The vision of a united transformed nation must be constantly before everyone. It is done by accepting responsibility for ourselves, not by blaming others. It requires a commitment by every sector of society to build a nation with a sound ethical base. Good people make good nations. Cynicism, fear and frustration are driven out by rediscovering faith in ourselves and nurturing the spirit of integrity in our nation. The creation of an integrity/moral summit will be beneficiary from the many current enquiries, conferences, and initiatives into corruption, crime, transparency, and justice enforcement that will be carried out. Nations grow on the cultural roots of the people. They are not built from the top down, but arise from the experience of the citizens. The contribution to the national consciousness from our different ethnic, language, religious, historical and class backgrounds cannot be over emphasized. Society is transformed by citizens with social awareness and social skills. The people must take the initiative to press their local leaders into united action. Local governments can enable it, but not control it. Encouraging many local initiatives and organizations will involve people in institutional infra-structures which speedily produce skilled citizens. They also crowd out corrupt and criminal elements. Nations are built in neighbourhoods. High level proposals can set the scene but not the action. When people become neighbours we shall stop preying on one another, and start caring for one another.
Although, most Nigerian leaders seem to forget their lineage, values, principles almost as soon as they get into their political offices. However, it doesn’t end with the government. Of what use is a good leader with bad followers? We as citizens of the country, Nigeria have first an individual responsibility, then a collective social responsibility to have integrity of heart.
We should however remember that nation-building and poverty are contrast terms, whether the poor are a little fraction of the population or a large number of the population. A nation with wealth inequality largely due to lack of basic needs of impoverished citizens can be hardly expected to function properly in the growth and development of that nation. Nations are built by healthy and skilled citizens. Nigeria needs a national obsession to banish poverty instead of merely to accumulate wealth. We must all accept responsibility for changing an economic system that makes so many of our population poor. Greed and corruption have no place in nation building because much of our country’s resources are in private hands, businesses must accept a moral responsibility to the country as well as to their shareholders. The collective effort to find an answer to poverty will itself spread a commitment to honesty, truth and generosity. We have many specialized sectors; state governments, politicians, religion, business and labour, education, the media, culture, sport and many others, each of which must play it’s part in building a just and powerful nation. The need to encourage every part to engage in their own analysis of causes and solutions to the ethical challenge, particularly within their own field of responsibility is vital. Each one can mount a campaign for a positive commitment through integrity and uprightness of heart to the transition of Nigeria. This essentially means renewing our mindset which will include building positive relationships and joint ventures to achieve specific objectives on the ground between the organs of civil society, and between civil society and the state.
Finally, our people are moral and our cultural backgrounds are strong. Much of this transition is happening already. The next step of our national transformation lies before us; it is humility and turning from our bad ways. The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 [NIV], “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land”. Humility comes only with a sense of integrity and vice versa. Hence, if at least two people in every household were upright and outspoken, correcting others from doing wrong and reprimanding them appropriately, Nigeria would ploddingly but definitely become a better place, and even the vision(s) of citizens such as the renowned motivational speaker, Fela Durotoye of Nigeria being a peaceful place by 2025 would indeed come to realization. Long live Nigeria!