Speak to an average Nigerian about the country’s sorry state of affairs and you will get a resounding agreement that religious absorption is one of the major issues facing the country. You will likely get a breakdown and cogent analysis of how religious leaders and their political accomplices are taking advantage of the citizenry. The question now is “Why do we continue to surrender when we can clearly see the damaging effects of our continued followership?”

Our heads bowed, hands raised to the skies, as we kneel begging, does not project the image of a conquering, strong-minded, independent people who are confident in their ability to direct their destiny and create something original. If we cannot stand tall, shoulders square, exuding brilliance and confidence behind our eyes with the ability to observe, design and create systems and processes for ourselves, control our narrative and share it with the rest of the world to admire and emulate, then we belie our claim to international parity, because a submissive follower with hands outstretched and begging, with no voice or inventive ideas, has nothing unique to contribute on the world stage.

The painfully slow pace of economic and infrastructural development in Nigeria creates a feeling of futility and despondency that pushes its citizens towards the one place that sells endless hope – religious houses. The tougher things get in the society, the more people lean into their religion for succor. It wraps them in a blanket of comfort and grants them a sense of purpose to carry on in the face of hardship. This stops them from thinking through their problems to come up with practical and lasting solutions.

A society with a sense of purpose, strives as one entity to achieve great things and push beyond what is widely accepted, as within its realm of possibilities. From modern science, technology, and information management, societies have engineered new ways to overcome the daily challenges of life and found better ways to solve problems and improve outcomes. This is known as Social Problem Solving

Lagos is a state right on the Atlantic Ocean, it is quite easy to see that certain areas are prone to flooding, especially reclaimed areas on the island, there has been property damage worth millions of naira, disruption of economic activity in Nigeria’s largest business hub and hundreds of people have lost their lives over the course of several years due to flooding. Yet year after year the response from those in authority, seems to be a “May it not happen again o, in Jesus name. Amen” right up until the next flooding occurs and catches us by surprise once again without a proactive action plan.

The common good can simply be explained as a system that works equally for all. As Nigerians and Africans we used to take pride in the fact that we come from close knit communities that care for one another. With the understanding that it takes a village to raise a child, everyone is involved in the welfare of the individuals that live in the community. Well, look around you today, does your community still reflect those traditional African values?

Drawing parallels on party affiliation from around the world, one can take a look at the reasons people choose to align themselves with political groups. For Nigerian politicians, the reason for aligning with a political party is usually for expediency and self interest and not for the good of the country.

Most of us have seen this type of picture before -  A sea of brown and black faces, surrounding one or two white ones, that have come to give them relief or aid.  From shoes, desks, bras and vaccines, to mosquito nets, water and drugs, we are always waiting expectantly for foreigners to come provide us with the basics that we could very well provide for ourselves. Are these not problems we should come together and solve for ourselves as a society?

It is a common saying, that a society is judged by how they treat their children, the old, infirm and disabled in their midst, and I doubt anyone would argue with that statement. The carelessness in which the Nigerian society treats its vulnerable population is evident by its lack of foresight and social problem solving

From the ancient Nok civilization, the Egyptian, the Greeks, the renaissance, to the French and American revolutions, the one factor that is constant in the growth of these eras and societies, has been the ideas and creativity spawned within them. Today, we go to historic spots and museums to admire the crafts, creativity and designs of ancient times, that speaks of an era where dedication and quality was paramount and an embodiment of the mindset of the society.

People who have worked all their lives and qualified for retirement benefits, even past military personnel, who have risked the lives for the glory of the country, are made to jump through all kinds of hoops and difficult physical conditions to receive a stipend to sustain them, through a process that still doesn’t guarantee them any resolution.