By Charles Nwabardi
A value system is a set of consistent ethic values and measures used in the purpose of ethical or ideological integrity. A well defined value system is a moral code. A cursory look at Nigeria from East to West, North to South by a real concerned Nigeria can show that the fore going definition has no place in Nigeria as a nation. In every civilized society with a value system, source of wealth of individuals and lifestyles are followed up to know what they actually do for a living but in Nigeria, the philosophy is “whatever you do, get money”. Once money comes, the individuals are adored, recognition comes, awards and chieftaincy follow.
Some even delve into politics and are anointed by political leaders who impose them as representatives of their constituencies because of their toxic wealth. Religious organizations are not left out, those members whose source of wealth is hazy are given positions without minding their spiritual standing. It is not so in sane society. I could remember a story my late friend that sojourned in the United State of America told me in the year 2012. He said that one of his friends was living a life of affluence there in the US. My friend told that he warned him to live a modest lifestyle if not, the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) would have its eyes on him. The friend was indifferent to the counsel. Shortly, he was arrested by FBI who found some incriminating documents in his office. The person was persecuted and jailed.
Neighbours also watched the lifestyles of the people that live in their neighbourhood and report suspecting characters to security operatives. This is a real society with code of morals. In Nigeria here, even the Landlords do not know their tenants and what they do for a living, all they are interested in is their rent. Those that parade themselves as Estate Agents have compounded this problem. Neighbours in Nigeria know those with hazy characters in their neighbourhoods but could not report to the police for fear of their information being divulged. Let us take the case of the “Great Train Robbery in London” the robbery was masterminded by Gordon Goody, born on 11th March, 1930. The robbery was carried out by his gang in 1963 on a Train carrying Royal Posts from Glasgow to London and 2.6 million British pounds was carted away.
However, the gang members were all arrested and convicted. What is of interest in this story is that after serving the jail terms Goody lived for 86 years and died in 2016 yet the British press including BBC filled the whole place with the headline “Gordon Goody the Train Robber dies at 86”. Gordon Goody’s death came after 53 years of the Robbery incident. Can this be in Nigeria? It is also worthy of note that after Goody’s jail term, he became a known actor and writer. All these were played down by the Press because of his antecedence. Can Nigerian Press learn from this? From this write-up, it has become clear that not only the security operatives can combat crimes. Individuals within the neighbourhood, landlords and the press can do a lot in entrenching a good value system in Nigeria.