What was launched in Lagos on Thursday, August 22, 2024, as The Wale Omole Basis for Virtues and Ethics in Yoruba Tradition is the technique wanted to rescue Nigeria from the appalling ethical decline that’s making it troublesome for the nation to progress, thus making the long run to look bleak. By its identify, the Basis could seem meant solely to revive, reinvigorate, propagate and maintain the Yoruba cultural heritage, however in thought and inherent advantages, it’s a template for resurrecting and selling the homogeneous socio-cultural and non secular virtues and ethics of each ethnic nationality in direction of tackling the unprecedented decadence in all aspects of the nation’s nationwide life. It’s apparent that Nigeria has lengthy derailed from the daring and nice imaginative and prescient of the founding fathers as a result of dangerous governance, corruption, greed, dishonesty, callous disregard for human life, spiritual intolerance, tribalism, nepotism, and mutual mistrust among the many individuals and the ethnic teams. Certainly, virtues and ethics within the nation have waned significantly and the scenario should be redeemed.
In a manner, The Wale Omole Basis for Virtues and Ethics in Yoruba Tradition is a considerate and sensible response to the trenchant requires ethical rectitude at each step of the nationwide ladder, in direction of reformation of the nation for improvement.
The Founding father of the Basis, Prof. Wale Omole, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo College (OAU), Ile-Ife and present chairman of The Guardian Editorial Board, is a quintessential renaissance man, a warrior for justice, a brave position mannequin, and an embodiment of beliefs of fact, integrity and distinctive efficiency. The purpose of the Basis by the unwavering advocate for the ethical philosophy of the Omoluabi is partly to carry collectively a worldwide community of individuals, who share a ardour for restoring the dignity of the Yoruba individuals, preserving the character of the race, and defending, defending, and sustaining the ethical integrity of the Yoruba tradition. Principally, the mission is to advertise the values that lie on the core of the Yoruba lifestyle.
On the unveiling of the Basis, Omole mentioned: “I’m pushed by a deep appreciation for the teachings and encouragement from historical past, knowledge from elders whose information is held in particular esteem, and the values enshrined within the Omoluabi ethical philosophy. The Basis, via its initiatives, workshops, seminars, and campaigns, is charting a brand new path for the Yoruba race, firmly rooted in timeless values.” The Chief Government Officer of the Basis, Mr Babatunde Olowu added: “Prof. Omole’s life journey, guided by the values instilled by his mother and father, has led him to turn into a beacon of hope and inspiration to many. At 82, he stands on the forefront of a campaign to revive the dignity of the Yoruba individuals and revive the indestructible spirit and enduring virtues of Omoluabi.”
In defending, defending and sustaining the ethical integrity of the Yoruba tradition, the Basis is principally to offer complete training and coaching programmes on ethical and moral ideas, in the end making a society the place Yoruba tradition isn’t solely preserved but in addition cherished. Beneath the steerage and trustworthy watch of thought leaders, famend students and cultural consultants who function mentors and brave position fashions, the Basis is predicted to make its affect totally felt not solely on soils the place the tradition is firmly rooted but in addition in each nation and each residence the place persons are keen and desirous to be taught and have interaction with the colourful Yoruba tradition. Among the many initiatives of the Basis are: the Iwa Pageant of Virtues; MLB Awards (Omoluabi-No Larger Dignity); Phrases To Develop and Reside By; The Great thing about Our Folks; Candy Sounds of Dwelling; The Increased Intention of Cash; and Insights and Encouragement from Africa.
The relevance of the Omole Basis to nationwide ethical rebirth is established by the truth that many of the issues Nigeria is dealing with immediately are traceable to the unhappy erosion of virtues and ethics. Related initiatives are anticipated to be launched in different cultures throughout the nation in direction of total nationwide improvement. Moral values comparable to honesty, equity, respect, integrity, duty, empathy, and compassion, that are frequent to virtually each tradition in Nigeria, have a really potent affect on our beliefs about what is sweet, simply and virtuous. Certainly, they play a really essential position in shaping our character and actions both whereas serving ourselves or whereas serving different individuals, together with once we maintain public workplace.
From the underside to the highest of the ladder on this nation, virtues and ethics are being sacrificed for all method of criminality within the shameful race to amass unmerited wealth, resulting in sluggish progress in all sectors. It’s worrisome that the majority establishments naturally and formally saddled with the duty of bequeathing to kids and younger residents virtues and values that ought to form them into accountable adults with good characters at the moment are discovering it troublesome to take action due to what may very well be described as rising resistance by the youngsters to imbibe them. That is manifest within the types of disrespect for elders, laziness, dishonesty, stealing, shunning assigned obligations, anticipating gratification for working errands for elders, cultism and examination malpractice in faculties, together with threatening assault on academics if the topic isn’t handed, and academics demanding bribe, or intercourse from college students to go their examinations.
Within the civil service in any respect ranges of presidency, corruption, indolence, and nepotism are endemic. Justice administration is jaundiced, whereas justice is offered to the very best bidder. Hospitals and different medical establishments meant to save lots of lives have gotten terrifying locations to hunt remedy for illnesses due to some unethical conduct of pros. Many sufferers have died as a consequence. There may be callous disregard for human life with terrorist teams killing hundreds of harmless individuals, kidnapping for ransom and killing captives even when ransom is paid, killing fellow human beings for money-making and different rituals, raping, armed theft, drug abuse and trafficking, and trafficking in individuals in addition to dealing in faux medicine which have despatched many individuals to early graves.
The scenario is worse with the individuals within the hall of energy, these saddled with the administration of the affairs of the nation. To them, the virtues and values are unimportant. A few of them have shamelessly mentioned there isn’t any morality in politics. The forgery of certificates, rigging, kidnap and assassination of opponents, sponsorship of thugs and hoodlums to disrupt elections, forgery of election outcomes and experiences, and bribing judges to be declared winner of controversial polls within the battle to occupy political workplace are criminalities perpetrated by individuals with out respect for virtues and values. On attending to workplace, lots of our political leaders don’t take into account transparency and accountability of their administration of the nation’s affairs essential, amid palpable looting and unprecedented ranges of corruption whereas nearly all of the individuals undergo untold hardship. The advantage of compassion for fellow residents has waned virtually irredeemably.
For the nation to make progress there should be ethical rebirth. There’s a must make Nigerians individuals of excellent character, in order that after they discover themselves in positions, together with these of management of the nation, they may conduct their affairs in a manner that can rekindle the hope for a greater nation. Related authorities companies, together with the Nationwide Orientation Company, ought to key into the undertaking to discover it in direction of the supply of its official mandate. On the identical time, intellectuals in different geo-political zones are suggested to unveil related initiatives of their areas to save lots of the nation from decadence.
