THE NEED FOR ATTITUDINAL CHANGE AMONG NIGERIANS

THE NEED FOR ATTITUDINAL CHANGE AMONG NIGERIANS
BY


HARUNA IDRIS

In contemporary times, the term democracy has assumed different connotations. However many agree that certain basic traits must be met as a precondition for ensuring a stable and enduring democratic polity. For these set of observers therefore, democracy means governance in which adult citizen’s PARTICIPATE through their freely elected representatives, governance in which the rights of citizens are encouraged and allowed.

These rights include the freedom of speech, religion, opinion and association, the assertion of the rule of law, majority rule accompanied by the rights of the minorities. Above all it also entails a society in which there is treatment of each other by citizens as equals and with the distinct absence of class feelings and discrimination. From the above characteristic therefore, it can be DEDUCED that enduring democracy can only be attained by evolution. For this to be achieved, it is the supreme duty of all in a polity, particularly opinion leaders to show and exhibit greater interest in the affairs of the state.

The behavioural traits exhibited by Nigerians as reflected in the teething challenges faced by the nation’s democracy do not portend good signs for the future. More than ten years since the nation’s return to democracy, not much has been achieved in terms of inculcating the right values to ensure seamless transition. Among the political class rigging and all sorts of electoral malpractices still abound, aggrandisement, violence, corruption and other vices are their stoke in trade.

Among the populace indiscipline, the get rich quick syndrome and the enthronement and acceptance of mediocrity seem to bedevil every part of the society. All these have contributed in ensuring that the nation’s political development is still in its infancy. Infact many analysts have contended that Nigerians would have to remedy those behavioural traits which have made outside commentators to look at events and developments in the country from unfavourable stereotypes.

For as is indeed correct, the nation’s image abroad derives mainly from the successes or failures we have made of our domestic affairs. There is therefore the need for Nigerians to move away from the current negativism about our nation.

As one prominent citizen observed recently and I quote ‘We curse our land, we curse our leadership, we curse our government, we curse our people, and we curse the strangers and guests among us. The older generation curses the youth. And finally we end up cursing ourselves. What is needed at this point in the nation’s history, more than ever before, is a reversal of the current wave of negativism that seems to pervade our national psyche.

The present situation in which the nation finds itself is not palatable. Alienation, aloofness and cynicism are poor remedies for our present condition. What is more, Nigerians have the brain power that can easily transform the nation into a politically stable and economically prosperous nation.

What is needed is the will to work together and to share experiences. Despite our observable shortcomings, despite the catalogue of failures in the past, despite injustices suffered by some citizens and neglect, there is a compelling need for all Nigerians to come together, forget the past, and exhibit an air of tolerance and forgiveness towards each other. Only then can we begin to evolve the tenets of civilisation which can guarantee democratic principles.

Our destiny is in our hands for us to survive as a nation.

We must resolve to salvage the nation from its current problems there is a real need for attiudinal change among nigerians. The whole world is watching and we must rise up to the supreme responsibility with courage and serenity.



Source FRCN.Recorded live from the daily commentaries