Nigeria and Public Safety

Repost. Originally posted Aug 31, 2018

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. It is back to school season in the US and every day on the radio, you’ll hear public service announcements admonishing listeners to remember that school children will soon be flooding the streets, on their way to or from school. Prior to school resumption, the police departments posted officers around public-school areas as a reminder, that safety regulations will to be strictly enforced for the safety of the children who would soon be returning to their institutions of learning.

There are visual reminders for motorist and other adult road users to beware and look out for the little ones, as they are not as careful when crossing or using the roadways. All areas where there are public schools are clearly marked school zones, with strict guidelines on speed limits and use of mobile phones, that cause distractions. There is reduced speed posted at rush hour, when there would be lots of children in buses, on bikes, walking to school or returning home, with crossing guards posted strategically to help slow down traffic and allow children cross the street safely, helping to decrease fear of navigating traffic or encountering careless drivers on their own. Private schools also have a strict standard, on drop off and pick up protocols, to ensure that children get to school and home safely.

Those are some of the actions and regulations implemented by a thoughtful society to ensure the safety of those considered to be the leaders of tomorrow.  It is the measure of regard and respect given to the citizens of the country and the worth the society places on their lives.

This made me think about the system in Nigeria, where school children on the road are seen more as a nuisance or inconvenience to impatient motorists, who are in a hurry to get to their destination. I have witnessed several times, where a driver – in a bus, car or motorcycle, would threaten a child on their way to or from school, who has the audacity to try and find a gap in the busy traffic to cross the street.

  School children navigating a busy street

The so-called government – from the federal to the local level, who do not know how to put a human face to policy and process, do not have laws (much less, effective ones) that can be enforced to ensure that the lives of our precious young ones are not harmed while they navigate their way to or from school. They are left to fend for themselves, with no thoughts from the adults in the society to find ways to protect them and guarantee their safety.

This negligence towards the children in the society reflects a greater problem in the general carelessness of how we deal with our communities, where we lack safety standards and a determination to protect the general welfare of the populace. Public safety and security, is a core function of governments, that ensures the protection of citizens, tourists and institutions against local and international threats to their well-being.

They are also tasked with the prevention of crime, natural and man-made disasters and safeguarding the prosperity of their communities. The organizations tasked with the responsibility of providing these services include law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services. This is a function that the government of Nigeria has failed its people significantly, in its inability to provide adequate safety measures or functional safety departments, to ensure that life and property are not in danger from those who would wish to create havoc.

We are plagued by poorly staffed, trained and equipped safety departments, that are ineffective and sometimes, end up creating more problem for the citizens, than they actually prevent or solve, ask anyone who has had to deal with the Nigerian police force. For majority of the country, fire safety is either non-functional or completely absent, there are no provisions for emergency medical services and there is only a minimal effort at road regulations, where road users rush past without regard for posted road signs.

The lack of provision of adequate security and public safety measures has greatly undermined the growth and development of Nigeria. This is not a problem without a solution, it takes working planning, dedication and regard for the citizenry to find practical resolution to what has become a crisis in our midst. Until we are able to take care of the little things, like ensuring that we have adequate police, fire and medical services, it would be difficult for the nation to move forward.  A focus on the basics of what it takes to build a safe society in long overdue, because not much can be achieved by a society, when the citizens live in constant fear of their lives.