On the call for ethical revolution

Few months after the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari administration, there has been laud calls for the reintroduction of War Against Indiscipline (WAI) and or the upgrading of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) into fully-pledge ministry. There are also other suggestions for full blown ethical revolution aimed at drastic change in the psych of Nigerians […]

Few months after the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari administration, there has been laud calls for the reintroduction of War Against Indiscipline (WAI) and or the upgrading of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) into fully-pledge ministry. There are also other suggestions for full blown ethical revolution aimed at drastic change in the psych of Nigerians which will give strong vent to Mr. President’s change mantra. All these calls are important sign posts that the bulk majority of Nigerians are sick and tired of our ignoble past and are also positive response to Mr. President’s call for change.
We hardly need to reiterate the obvious fact that Nigeria is one if not the most over governed nation around the world. Indeed, government has now become a burden on the citizens especially when viewed against the unsustainable emoluments of the multitude of public servants around the country. Yet, nothing seems to work despite bringing government nearer to the grassroots as amply demonstrated by series of creations of States, Local Governments, Ministries, Parastatals, Emirates and Chiefdoms and sprouting up of both descriptive and otherwise Non-Governmental Organisations.
The pertinent question we need to ask ourselves is why is that each and every solution preferred to solve both foreseen and unforeseen problem only end up creating more intractable problems to the nation? For instance, did State and Local Government creations and the various reforms in between solve or even ameliorated the fear of domination and or bring about peaceful co-existence between and among the diverse ethno-religious group in Nigeria? Has the presidential system of government as opposed to the ancient parliamentary system made any difference to the lives of the vast majority of citizens or bring about national unity and cohesion?
Is the division of the nation into series of administrative units not disservice to the nation-building and national unity?
Nevertheless, it is our considered opinion that rather than embark on fruitless and expansive ethical revolution, we should simply borrow a leaf from Malaysia. When the south-east nation wanted to make a new begging, the issue of ethical revolution was debated across the nation and many citizens adumbrated the argument that for Malaysia to move forward, the attitude of its people must be changed ab initio. But the government of the day decided otherwise. It allowed each and every citizen to freely retain his/her attitude. But, government will hold everyone accountable for his/her conduct according to the provision of the law and regulations governing the operation and management of public and private conduct. At the level of public affairs, an agency called Pamendu was established to monitor, assess and score the performance of MDAs and any minister/CEO that failed to implement budget/policy/programme at the end of fiscal year is summerally dismissed. Strict and dispassionate application of sanction against social ills have largely forced every citizens into line.

Abubakar Udu Idris, mni, [email protected]