CHAPTER THREE

NATIONAL ETHIC AND DISCIPLINE IN NIGERIA SOCIETY

CONCEPT AND ASPECTS OF NATIONAL ETHICS AND DISCIPLINE

Ethics refers to a code or set of principles by which man live.  It focuses on principles of behavior, conduct, action and utterances both in private and public endeavors.  National ethics is a system of moral rules and behavior which every community in a country is bound to abide by and breach of rules usually attracts punishment.  The constitution of Nigeria states that, the National ethic shall be discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice, religious tolerance, self reliance and patriotism.  This provision implies that all Nigerians must be discipline and worthwhile.

Discipline simply means orderly or approved behavior such as self respect obedience, diligence, cooperation, integrity consideration for others etc.  Discipline does not invite supervision by an external force but is imposed by the individual from within.  Indeed discipline is either self-discipline or it is nothing at all but although society thus appears to leave individuals to their own discretion in the matter of social discipline, this freedom is strictly circumscribed by sanctions of varying severity like social ostracism, disapproving look, rebuke etc.  Indiscipline is the opposite of discipline and is closely related to corruption.  The latter is in fact one of the greatest forms of indiscipline in Nigeria.

Any negative and social behaviors that attracts public or societal condemnation such as wanton destruction of property, alcoholism, smuggling, thuggery, fighting unjust cause, jumping the queue, disrespectful, money laundering, stealing, dishonesty, robbery, drug addict, cultism, prostitution, bribery, examination and electoral malpractices etc.  Reflecting on situation in the country today, one can suggest that the ambiguity and vacuity in our national ethics cover endless strife and multitude of sins.

Nigeria ethical values include the followings:

Honesty and accountability, leadership by example, self control and self restraint (discipline) punctuality, orderliness and cleanliness, respect for the rule of law, respect for constituted, authority, self reliance, patriotism, dignity of labour, integrity, social justice, religious tolerance.

In addition to the above, national ethics and discipline contribute immensely to national development.  They are sign posts of growth and development of individual as well as the country.    If the citizens are ethical and disciplined as contained in the above, such a situation will promote mental discipline which is a strong attribute for productive work and correspondingly to national development.

IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL ETHIC AND DISCIPLINE IN NIGERIA

Ethic and discipline are essential ingredients of peace, harmony, and progress of any society Bello (1995) outlined the importance of ethic and discipline to include the following:

1. Development of the country; since the funds would be judiciously used instead of being embezzled and invariably develop individuals; 

2. Bring individual closely together since they behave in the same way and aim toward the goal;

3. Equality among people because it encourages the rich and the poor to have the same approach to life;

4. Eradication of religious riot because all religious would be able to understand and accommodate each other;

5. 1Make individual to be proud of his country;

6. Make individual to be good citizen and good ambassador of the country; and 

7. Ensure good government because those for government would not like to be found wanting in the discharge of their duty in order to avoid punishment.

CORRUPTION IN THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY

Indiscipline and corruption are two of the most serious problems which have pervaded all strata of the society.  Corruption is one serious contagious disease that has endemically and indirectly involved every Nigeria, quite irrespective of one’s position and upbringing, while the ability to contend and if possible avoid cultivated by Nigerians.  Corruption is one of the dare-devils that stares humanity in the face.  It is a global problem with certain destructive tendencies in the Third World countries – Nigeria (Eze, 2002).  But the rate of corruption in Nigeria is so alarming that one is constrained to ask; is there anything specifically in the nature of Nigerians that makes them to be so corrupt?

Odey (2001) noted that;

It is totally false to suggest as

we opt to do, that Nigerians are

different fundamentally from any

other people in the world.  Nigerians

are corrupt because, the system under

which they live today makes corruption

easy and profitable; they will cease

to be corrupt when corruption is

make difficult and inconvenient.

Corruption is a canker worm, which has not only eaten deep into the fabrics of Nigeria society, but also soiled the character and personality of every Nigerian.  Nigeria as a nation in Africa is looked up as not only the giant of Africa in terms of population and economy.  It is also looked up for exemplary behavior but people get disappointed when Nigeria is properly examined.  The basic question is: What is the nature and cause of this stigma called “Corruption” all nooks and crannies of the nation.

Corruption in the society has reached such a high water mark that the Nigeria government enacted a law and established organizations to monitor and fight this social malaise.  The anti-corruption law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came into being on 15th June 2000.  The Federal government also established Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Economic Fraud and Corrupt Commission (EFCC).  The following are regarded as corruption; accepting gratification directly or through an agent concealing offences relating to corruption, fraudulent acquisition of property, fraudulent receipt of property posted system offences, deliberate frustration of investigation by the commission making false statement or returns, bribery of public officer, using position or office to defraud or for gratification bribery in relation to auctions, attempt, conspiracy to receive or give bribe etc.  The law makes copious provisions on different forms of corruption, and prescribes punishment for each.

THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF CORRUPTION AND INDISCIPLINE

1. The desire to get rich quick

2. Lack of exemplary leadership

3. Greed and inordinate ambition for material wealth, power and glory

4. Great deal of poverty among Nigerians 

5. Moral laxity and upbringing degeneration 

Lack of basic amenities

Fear and insecurity

Selfish desires and egoistic

Poor attitude of government to corruption 

Ethnicity

God fathers

PUBLIC CONTROL OF INDISCIPLINE

Every society has ways of making members to conform to its standard norm, to obey its rules and regulations. In modern societies, the practice is to have statute books which stipulate the punishment for particular offences and infractions of the law.  It also stipulates the punishing agent as well as the degree of punishment to be meted out.

Indiscipline in the society is controlled and checked by the family, educational institutions, age grades, cultural organizations, religious organizations, non-governmental organizations, the mass media, the EFCC, ICPC, WAI & C, NAFDAC, NDLEA, the Police, Nigeria Security & Civil Defense Corps, the Courts, the Prison remand homes and others are agents of punishment by which indiscipline is put under check in order to take necessary corruptions.

CONDUCT FOR PUBLIC, OFFICERS IN NIGERIA

Fifth Schedule, Part II of the constitution provides General Code of Conduct for public officers thus;           

1. A public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.

2. A public officer shall not received or be paid the emoluments of any public office at the same as he receives or is paid the emoluments of any other public office; or engage or participate in the management of running any private business, profession or trade, but not engaging on farming.

3. The following public officers shall not maintain or operate foreign bank accounts.  The Presidents, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor, Ministers of the Government of the Federation, Commissioners of Government of the States, Members of the National Assembly and of the House of Assembly of the States, and such other public officers or persons as the National Assembly way by law prescribe.

4. A public officer shall not after his retirement from the public service and while receiving pension from public funds, accept more than one remunerative position as chairman, director or employee of 

   1. Company owned or controlled by the government; or

   2. Any public authority; or

5. The President, Vice President, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Governor or Deputy Governor of a state – all are prohibited from service or employment in foreign companies of foreign enterprises.

6. A public officer shall not ask for or accept property or benefits of any kind or himself or any other person on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties.  A public officer shall only accept personal gifts or benefits from relatives or personal friends to such extent and on such occasions as are recognized b custom.

7. Certain public officers shall not accept loan, except from government, or its agencies, a bank, building society; mortgage institution or other financial institution recognized by law; and any benefit of whatever nature from any company, contractor or business man or the nominee or agent of such person.

8. No person shall offer a public officer any property, gift or benefit of any kind as an inducement or bribe for the granting of any favor or the discharge in his favor of the public officers duties.

9. A public officer shall not do or direct to be done, in abuse of his office, any arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights of any other person knowing that such act is unlawful or contrary to any government policy.

10. A public officer shall not be a member of, belong to or take part in any society the membership of which is incompatible with the functions or dignity of his office.

11. Every public officer shall within three months immediately after taking office, submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all his properties, assets and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of eighteen years.  Any detected false declaration shall be deemed to be a breach of the code.  Equally, any property or assets by a public officer after declaration which is not fairly attributable to income, gift or loan approved by the code shall be deemed to have been acquired in breach of the code unless the contrary.

12. Any allegation that a public officer has committed a breach of or has compiled with the provisions of the code shall be referred to the Code of Conduct Bureau. 

13. A public officer who does any act by this Code through a nominee, trustee or other agent shall be deemed IPSO facto to have committed a beach of this Code.

GOVERNMENT AND THE MASS MEDIA

There is a necessity and urgent need for a new culture in Nigeria.  Therefore, it is not out of place to suggest that possible solution to the problem of corruption and indiscipline in Nigeria can be achieved if and only if the government should as a matter of fact aim at improving the condition of service as well as enhanced welfare package of Nigerian workers.

The government will also need to cultivate the courage to prosecute and make offenders to face appropriate penalty.  The strategy and programmers for fighting indiscipline, corruption and other problems in our society should be faithfully implemented by the government as the necessary minimum steps towards eradicating, or at least minimizing the hydra-headed monsters of indiscipline, corruption lawlessness in the country.

Nigeria leaders should fully commit themselves to the pursuit the principles of social justice for all citizens.  To this they should be seen by members of the public to be the shining examples of accountability and disciple in the society Government, as well as parents should try to revitalize the virtues of Traditional African way of life, which stuns, fraud, dishonesty and other vices prone to corrupting the minds of the people.  Credit, awards and undue recognition should no longer be accorded to people whose source of material acquisition cannot be attested.  But instead, merit, discipline in form of character learning as well as the wisdom of the sages should be encouraged in the society.

Mass media are avenues which information can be disseminated to the general public.  Mass media include:  Newspapers, Radio TV, Cinema, Books as well as the activities of public relations agencies.  The mass media should direct itself towards fulfilling the following:

GENERAL MOBILIZATION AND ENLIGHTMENT OF CITIZENS

For this purpose, the media should set up a clear and comprehensive agenda that will tackle problems of indiscipline and corruption.

Monitoring leadership and individual behavior and style in order to make them public issues for discussion and thus help in the selection of incorruptible, committed and honest leadership.

Promoting and emphasizing the unifying factors of our society and avoiding fanning embers of disunity hatred, sectionalism religious intolerance, propaganda, immoral behavior and stanted reporting.

Efforts should be gear towards enlightening the general public on the danger of corruption to both individual and society.

Awakening government on some issues of concern to the citizens.  In other words, they serve as month piece and as watch-dog of the society.

Assisting the week and less powerful citizens by exposing their plight or problems thereby eliciting government and other citizens support.