Lack of ethical principles poses risk to Nigeria's advancement, warns Alaafin

Nigeria's social, economic, and political development is at risk of collapse due to a lack of strong moral foundations, warns the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, in a message marking Eid-el-Fitr, which was issued through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.

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The monarch expresses concern that despite having a wealth of intellectuals, economists, and skilled politicians, the nation is deficient in the moral values rooted in its socio-cultural traditions and religious teachings, which is a major obstacle to progress.

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Oba Owoade cautions that scientific and technological advancement without a sound moral base could exacerbate human suffering and insecurity, leading to a society that is its own worst enemy, plagued by fear, insecurity, and self-inflicted challenges driven by misguided advancement.

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The monarch notes that many of Nigeria's persistent challenges stem from neglect or non-compliance with moral principles, resulting in stagnation across both public and private sectors, and stresses that national development depends on the promotion of values such as justice, integrity, responsibility, selflessness, probity, and honesty among leaders and citizens.

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The traditional ruler laments the erosion of societal values, including honesty, good neighbourliness, and religious tolerance, noting that violence and insecurity have become normalised in the country, with senseless killings and a growing number of internally displaced persons becoming a stark reality.

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According to Oba Owoade, the country has become desensitised to these issues, with life continuing as though nothing is wrong, and everything being reduced to politics, which is a disturbing trend that needs to be addressed.

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The Alaafin urges Muslims to uphold the teachings of Prophet Ibrahim, emphasising faith, charity, and love for one another as pathways to lasting blessings, and adds that many of the country's security, corruption, and economic challenges are rooted in a lack of accountability to God.

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This lack of accountability, he notes, also fuels distrust among Nigeria's diverse ethnic and religious groups, and therefore, fostering greater God-consciousness and adherence to moral principles would provide lasting solutions to the nation's challenges and promote peace and unity.

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Oba Owoade calls for sincere and sustained efforts to instil these values, noting that such a shift would not only improve life in the country but also secure a better future for generations to come, which is a crucial step towards a more prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.