PMB and the need for value re-orientation

The need for attitudinal re-orientation had long been recognized as the best way to address the myriad of societal problems confronting the Nigerian society. Consequently, successive administrations have articulated and pursued re-orientation programmes in one form or the other. It is regrettable however, that despite all the attempts programmes and interventions, nothing can be seen […]

The need for attitudinal re-orientation had long been recognized as the best way to address the myriad of societal problems confronting the Nigerian society. Consequently, successive administrations have articulated and pursued re-orientation programmes in one form or the other. It is regrettable however, that despite all the attempts programmes and interventions, nothing can be seen in concrete terms as reward and achievements to the enormous work of re-engineering Nigeria. There still exist all the negative attributes that hold us down as a nation.
The challenge of a new Nigeria therefore places a big responsibility on the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari who inherited an economy that was over the years badly managed and normal standards characteristics of good governance and high moral grounds were obliterated while anti-social patterns of behavior became very pervasive. Nigerians from all works of life, irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliation invested their trust by voting President Buhari to power. That trust was borne out of their sincere and genuine desire to see a new Nigeria where unemployment, corruption, insecurity, violence and other forms of social vices which pervaded the polity will be fought to a standstill.
The expectation on President Muhammadu Buhari was quite huge because of the belief that he will bring to bear his characteristic nature of discipline, honesty and integrity into governance. However, the problem with Nigeria is not irredeemable. Much as the task is tough and herculean, the President is expected to empower institutions of government like the National Orientation Agency to go down to the basics to drive the process of a comprehensive programme of attitudinal transformation starting from the family, the school (Primary and secondary), the traditional and religious bodies.
The message of value re-orientation and social harmony should dominate our polluted psyche. Religious and ethnic sentiments have taken pre-eminence over brotherhood. Gone were the times when Nigerians were their brother’s keepers irrespective of tongue or creed; gone were the days when every adult member of society could instantly discipline any erring child to the happiness of the child’s parents. The traditional institutions on their own were faithful custodians of culture and moral values. Our music and folklore then had a good moral hold on the youths. Those were the days when Sallah and Christmas were celebrated together by both Muslims and Christians be it in Kano, Onitsha or Lagos. This was the Nigeria of yester years before our slide into the current perfidy. To this end, there must be a deliberate and systematic policy direction to urgently change the narrative and draw new rules and principles that will determine the existence of a descent and disciplined society that can compete favorably with other developed nations of the world.
The family is the oldest institution on earth and it plays a vital role in human society. Throughout history, strong families have helped to make strong societies. The family therefore remains the best arrangement for bringing the children to be mature and credible adults. The family is the first social contact the child has and his experience in the process of development matters a lot because such early experiences are hard to erase. That is why Psychologists tell us that the child at birth is a tabular rasa i.e. empty slate. That means that a family through the parents have a crucial role to play in molding the character of the child. Even the two major religions, Islam and Christianity are conscious of the quality upbringing of the child with the belief that when you train a child well, when he is small, when he grows up, he will not depart from the good ways.
Therefore, we cannot continue to sound like a broken record about our youth being leaders of tomorrow when we have not adequately invested in the all-important attitudinal re-orientation meant to inculcate the spirit of patriotism and ones in them while also purging them of all kinds of primordial sentiments of religious extremism and ethnic jingoism.
Families and schools must be the focal point of the messages of the National Orientation Agency. Efforts should be made to re-tune the mindset of parents and teachers to drive the process of inculcating new values and attitudes into the psyche of an average Nigerian child both at family and school levels,
The youths on their own are exuberant and sometimes confused and confrontational persons whose characters to a reasonable extent are still capable of being influenced and molded. Here lies the concern of youth development with the issues of nation building. Children and youth are the wealth and hope of society because they guarantee its continuity, which is why they are often referred to as leaders of tomorrow.
However, how ready are we as a family in preparing the child/youth to take over this responsibility of being leaders of tomorrow. Are parents now ready to question the source of the sudden wealth of their children who sometimes engage in armed robbery or Advanced Fee Fraud (419) and suddenly come home to exhibit stupendous wealth to the administration and celebration of their parents? How prepared are our traditional institutions and religious leaders to stop the rampant and indiscriminate award of chieftaincy titles and religious honors to the people with questionable wealth? These are the issues and until they are tackled decisively, the fight against corruption in the polity, violence, drug abuse and social vices will continue to be a mirage.
By and large, the strength of a nation does not lie merely in its material or scientific achievements but it lies rather more in the moral qualities of the individuals and in the level of moral consciousness of the entire society. There is no doubt that our future really depends on how successful we are in fighting the orgy of negative attitudes. Attitudes are products of the mind which are manifested in behavioral patterns. The attitudes of citizens on national issues is a two-edged sword capable of enhancing development or crippling it.
It must be made known to the President that apart from our numerous fault lines, positive attitude remains one single but fundamental issue that will change the narrative in Nigeria. If no effort is made to instill this great virtue in the life of Nigerians, we can as well lose hope that governance and politics in Nigeria is mere rethtoric and not intended to change the old ways of doing things but a deliberate deceit and opportunity to hold the Country down perpetually.
The Onus still lies on the President to re-invent the wheel and realize that the greatest resources for National Development is human resource. Attitude can be taught, once learnt, they are difficult to change. Always do the right thing, because change begins with you.

Agu is a Deputy Director (Press), National Orientation Agency, Abuja.