VALUE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA: PAST, PRESENT AND THE PROSPECTS
Nigeria is one of the countries in Africa that needs support from civil society groups. With more than 250 ethnic groups in its population, the country experienced dictatorship in the seventies, and today, it seems that corruption in the government stands out as Nigeria’s most daunting and deliberating problem (Onwudiwe, 2004). Nigeria is not a poor country, so to speak, as it has many supplies of oil. However, despite of this wealth which gained it the title of being the 6th oil producing nation of the world, the poor constitute about 70% of the Nigerian population (Dike, 2001). The Economic Commission for Africa (2002) stated that social division and mismanagement have paralyzed the opportunity of Nigeria to alleviate its people from poverty. However, it seems that corruption is the main reason for its condition and if it will not be stopped, the Nigerian people will suffer more – economically, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Without a doubt, it is the citizens who suffer from a nation’s poor policy and standards. A case study from Aigbokhan (2000) shows that polarization in Nigeria and the inability of the government to address it affects the nation greatly in a negative way. In accordance to this, this paper discusses the issues of value system in Nigeria. Without a value system, people are justified to act in any manner they wish. There is no wrong or right. Every person does what is easiest, not what is right. Without a value system, Nigerian people become very selfish, looking out for themselves alone, since there is no sense of community. Until people have a value system, they would not really have a nation. Everyone will try to create their own world, their own local governments, states and even federations. Value systems naturally guide us as a people. They give us common thoughts, words and actions. Values give us a sense of community and a sense of identity as a nation.
In the current stance of Nigeria, problems in corruption deteriorate the Nigerian Value system. The corruption might be the worst result of the malpractices of the duties and responsibilities among the official. This corruption is popularly known in the inclusion of the public fund embezzlement, “under-the-table transactions”, or “behind-the-scenes” deals, and misuse of power. Apparently, the involvement of money in the regime is one of the greatest opponents of the honest politicians. Corruption is another version of robbery that results in the poor recovery of the industry and the entire economy (Mackenzie, 2006). The corruption can be also applied in the people’s taxes that contributed paid by the residents and the business owner’s, who suffers most because of the additional interests or percentages (Ingle, 2009). On of the most drastic effects that the business community felt are the high interest rates and the non-availability of the credit, and poor infrastructure as the fundamental problems affecting the various industries and most especially in the Nigerian economy (Rashid, Limonic, and Spiegel, 2004). Corruption affects the global economy and became one of the personal crimes of the officials or people that have the power. Although there are many anti-corruption policies in the countries, the officials cannot stop their heinous mind to formulate different actions wherein they can gain much.
On the other hand, the rate of inflation or the foreign exchange is a major subject in the businesses that might result on the loss of income, cost cutting and unemployment. If the corruption remains active, the growth of the economy in Nigeria can be describe as weak. Based on the presented context, the developing countries find it hard to develop or establish a continuous developing process if the people in the government are rotten. If their kind stayed in the government, there is no doubt that their proposed projects will soon deteriorates and rusted.
Every nations and country has their own strategy on how to improve and enhance their economic status. In each country, let say in Nigeria, economy is very important because this is where the survival of the country lies. The progress of the economy depends on the abundant resources or source of natural products and those people who are running it or manipulating it. These two factors should work hand in hand in order to determine the weakness and strength of each so that it will immediately fix if there are any loop hole in the transactions. Many people give importance and discuss about the usage of the economy and what is the really purpose of this why is it exists. Economy already exists, but the years go by it keeps upgraded and improve by some theorist and economist and considers the role of value systems. Values are the fabric of any society. They influence the beliefs and morals of the people. The values of any nation determine what is important to the people. They influence aspirations, thoughts, words and actions. Great Values are required to build a great nation. These values must be clear, specific and easy to understand.
References:
Aigbokhan, B.E. (2000). Poverty, Growth and Inequality in Nigeria: A Case Study. African Economic Research Consortium. Nairobi, Kenya.
Dike, V.E. (2001). The Global Economy and Poverty in Nigeria. Amadu University Press, Zaria, Nigeria.
Economic Commission for Africa (2002). Nigeria – Untapped Potential. In Economic report for Africa 2002: Tracking Performance and Progress; pp.153-184. Ethiopia.
Ingle, B., (2009). Corruption in Politics & Its Effects on Business, The Business Edge – Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce [Online] Available at: http://www.princetonchamber.org/newsletter/newsletter_012809.pdf [Accessed 11 March 2011].
Mackenzie, S., (2006). Systematic Crimes of the Powerful: Criminal Aspects of the Global Economy, Social Justice, Vol. 33, No. 1.
Onwudiwe, E. (2004). Nigeria. United Nations White Paper, Brussels.
Rashid, H., Limonic, L., & Spiegel, S., (2004). Report on Nigeria Country Dialogue, Initiative for Policy Dialogue [Online] Available at: http://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/ipd/pub/NigeriaCDReport1-31-05.pdf [Accessed 11 March 2011].
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