Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is worried over the declining influence of traditional institutions in Nigeria and its impact on moral values of the younger generation. In his opinion the situation is contributing to the challenges besetting the country.
In his new book, Nigeria: Past and Future, Obasanjo lamented that many traditional rulers have abandoned their role as custodians of customs and societal values.
He argued that many unworthy and questionable individuals are now being installed as traditional rulers, saying, “Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits and kidnappers as so-called traditional rulers.”
He stated that Nigeria must replace the uninspiring and ignoble characters who now boastfully sit on traditional stools with men of integrity, honour and dignity who occupied the position in days of yore.
“This is a great pity, and it has greatly contributed to the problems of Nigeria. How do we account for a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and running away with it?” Obasanjo queried.
We recall that in 2019, the Minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali revealed that some traditional leaders are helping bandits with intelligence to carry out kidnappings and compromise military operations in the North West.
He said in spite of the concerted efforts of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, some unpatriotic persons including highly placed traditional rulers in the areas were identified as helping the bandits with intelligence to perpetuate their nefarious actions or to compromise military operations.
Also, a former accountant general of the federation who was accused of stealing over 109 billion, and a wanted bandit were turbaned in Kano and Zamfara states, respectively, amidst pomp and pageantry.
To underscore this, the vice chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, Prof Bashir Garba, opined that every sector of the economy is affected
According to him, as long as the justice system does not punish offenders even with the law in place, only God knows where the country is heading to.
He expressed concerns over future elections in the country as winners are now decided by few persons in the court.
Moral decline has become a significant issue in Nigeria. There are reports indicating widespread concern and a noticeable rise in social vices and criminal activities.
These are characterized by behaviours, actions, and attitudes that are considered wrong and unacceptable by most members of society. They include a decline in parental authority, the impact of media and technology, materialism, poverty, and a collapse of discipline in schools.
The situation is particularly disturbing among the youth, with studies highlighting issues like indiscipline, stealing, and drug abuse.
Several factors contribute to this, including the influence of Western culture, economic struggles, materialism, a perceived decline in traditional values, and a decline in parental authority.
Some studies suggest that parents have neglected their roles in moral upbringing, leaving a void that has been filled by negative influences.
Many of our deliquent youths have grown to become morally bankrupt leaders with no clear path for leadership.
Unarguably, it is what has hindered economic development of the country in an environment of where corruption and dishonesty are prevalent.
According to Trading Economics and Transparency International, a nongovernmental organisation (NGO)Nigeria’s corruption levels are perceived as relatively high, ranking 140th out of 180 countries on the 2024 Corruption Perception Index,
The index, which measures public sector corruption perceptions, assigns Nigeria a score of 26 out of 100, where 0 represents highly corrupt and 100 represents very clean.
Moral decline impacts ethical values, societal norms, and ethical standards, leading to a breakdown of moral principles.
Undoubtedly, Nigeria needs leaders who are visionary, capable of driving positive change, and focused on improving the lives of its citizens, particularly in areas like education, healthcare, and economic development.
These leaders should be transparent, accountable, and committed to tackling corruption and fostering a culture of good governance, while also being able to unite the nation and address its diverse needs.
We know that lack of moral grounding can negatively affect personal development and leadership potential, as individuals may be less likely to prioritize ethical behavior.
In our view, addressing this requires a multi-pronged approach that involves education, community involvement, and addressing the underlying socio-economic factors that contribute to it.
Creating job opportunities and addressing poverty can help reduce the pressure on individuals to engage in immoral activities.
For us as a nation, this is a clarion call and one that deserves a holistic action that requires all hands on deck, starting from a deliberate effort to rebuild the family unit.
We urge parents to take a more active role in raising children and instilling moral values. Afterall, it is their own best interest. The children bear their names and carry their DNA.
