MORAL, CONSCIENCE AND GOVERNANCE by Olarewaju Olaniyi Precious

 

Having taken time to critically appraise the state of the Nigerian nation and the appalling situation we found ourselves as a people, I began to dwell on the dual virtues of moral and conscience in governance and how the disappearance of these two important virtues have caused us to lose our pride among comity of nations. Our country is indeed a blessed one, vastly blessed in both human and material resources which will readily catapult us to not only being the big brother of Africa but also a veritable force to reckon with in the world. Unfortunately, the lack of sound moral etiquettes and conscience on the path of our leaders remain one of the biggest contributing factors to the malfeasances which continue to pose great threats to our continuous existence as a nation.

These problems bother on negligence on the path of our leaders and those that are being led. On a daily basis, we hear cases of gravious allegations against our leaders; but all that follow are mere counter-allegations and these have become a very common thread in our polity. In cases where enquiries and probes are conducted, these enquiries and probes do die a natural death and occasionally when some of these leaders are indicted, you still see them driving in their convoy of exotic cars freely on our high-brow streets where they flagrantly display their affluence and ill-gotten wealth.

This practice in Nigeria is in sharp contrast with what is obtainable in the other parts of the world where leaders who have been accused of wrong doings do admit their wrongs, tender public apology, resign their positions and also make themselves available for prosecution in cases where criminal cases, abuse of office etc have been established against them. A couple of months back, we were stunned by the news that the then Director of America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), David Petreus resigned his position after admitting he was involved in an extramarital affair with his bibliographer; he declared his behavior as unacceptable for the leader of America’s main intelligence agency.

Also, an erstwhile Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) resigned his position over the airing of the wrong accusation of a politician of child abuse. He said he was not aware of the Newsnight report before it was aired but he felt it is honourable to quit because he is the Editor-in-chief of the corporation. Many of such cases are being reported on a daily basis in those countries and we continue to hear those accused owning up on their wrongs and towing the part of honour. To some Nigerians, it is becoming ridiculous when you hear leaders in those countries resigning their position for what we see as mere wrong- doings like engagement in extra-marital affairs or granting someone undue favour.etc.

Unfortunately, in our own country you see leaders who have been alleged of wrong doings making blatant denials of such and firing fiery salvos at those who brought up the allegations, they easily dismiss any allegation as the handwork of the elements in the opposition. Such allegations are quickly rubbished and are swept under the carpet where they are left to die a naturally death, these same leaders instead of resigning to give room for proper investigation to commence will still come forth to present themselves for elective positions or lobby for appointments. This is not limited to political leaders alone, they include leaders of organizations, churches etc. They have become so much engrossed in the comfort of enjoying the ego, fame, power, wealth and the other paraphernalia that have been associated with such offices; they have been totally eroded of morals and completely lost their conscience. They have lost the intuitive ability to judge between what is morally right and wrong, because of their lust for material resources, personal aggrandisement and profanity.

Our level of morality goes a long way in determining our conducts in office, how do you expect a man who is not faithful to his wife to be faithful to his campaign promises and the oath of office he swore to honour? I doubt if such man can abide by that because he cannot even respect the marital vow that binds him to just a person which is his wife as a single entity. Hence, it will be more difficult for such man to honour a vow made to millions of people. Papa Awolowo gave an insight in his thoughts on “The Theory of Mental Magnitude” and how education should help in shaping our morality. He said “the regime of mental magnitude is cultivated when we are sexually contented, abstemious in food, abstain totally from alcoholic beverages and tobacco and completely vanquished the emotions of fear and greed”. He continued by saying “Let him that would move the world first move himself for only those who are masters of themselves become masters of others”.

Until we are able to perfect ourselves from within, change our characters positively and work on our moral and conscience, we may continue to wallow as a nation in the abyss we are. Williams James said “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering the altitudes of their minds”. I continue to hope for generational leaders who will employ the consciousness of moral goodness in the process of governance, leaders who have been proved worthy in characters, conducts and intentions. I remain confident we will reach the milestone soon and build the Nigeria of our dream.

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