Arrow of God: When Things Go Very Wrong

Courtesy: Fake Plastic Life

When things go very wrong, there are many explanations but these three are almost certain. One is, somebody didn’t do what they were supposed to do. Another is, the thing that was done to address what went wrong was not done at the right time. The third is, the people that tried to correct what went wrong originally were not as coordinated as they should be hence the solution implementation process suffered. This may be likened to the situation in Nigeria.

Again, three factors may be identified in such situation:

 

Objective: to revert what went wrong originally. If we say that something has gone wrong then it means at least one unfavourable change has occurred because something can only go wrong when there is a deviation from what is expected to be going on. Hence, an objective to restore normalcy should arise.

Time: to correct something that went wrong, the remedial efforts should yield fruits before it is too late. When something goes wrong, it gets worse the more it remains wrong. The time it takes for the wrong to be identified and fixed will add to the overall extent of damage. Time cannot be restored, it can only be exhausted and perhaps, elongated. Elongating the normal period to accommodate an extension is the only way to make up for time. Consequently, the compensation for time is elongation not restoration. If a remedy will be implemented, it should be performed within the best possible short time.

Harmony: the group working to resolve the problem must be coordinated. Teamwork without evidence of synergy results into weakened results. Workload imbalance in the practice of teamwork is a hidden cause of lessened result quality. If the input of a team is below what is expected then their overall harmony should be checked. Harmony is nothing less than the ability of team members to collaborate unselfishly. Having an eye for eventually takes the glory or giving conscious consideration to oneself more than others within the team will lead to reduced harmony and lessened quality of the overall output.

These three apply to Nigeria in the overall sense. If one considers each disruption that has occurred due to militancy, terrorism, injustice, fund misappropriation, inter-tribal cum inter-religious violence and low regard for righteousness, it becomes evident that our problems persist due to one of these: the creation of faulty or dummy objectives (or disregard for the true pursuit of real objectives), low respect for the essence of time (or poor consideration for future implications of current actions) and foolishness in the observance of harmony (or high prejudice for people with whom we share a sense of belonging rather than ethics and righteousness). Truly, some developed countries identify with us in the accommodation these problems. However, if we will ever share the experience of their current status, we must do less of these wrongs.

Several Nigerians believe that Nigeria’s situation is irrevocable. It is true. But, that belief is only as right as it holds in our hearts and manifests in our actions. We cannot become in reality the opposite of who we already are in our minds.

The sole problem with Nigeria is not actually corruption. Obvious corruption is only a symptom of moral, legal and religious degradation. Corruption was present in the era before Nigeria was colonised. It was present when sane men were sold as slaves and beautiful women were used and abused like imbeciles. Corruption is ubiquitous. It is a sign that things have gone wrong. Its severity in a location only varies based on the availability of its causes. In the midst of black hardship, you can imagine the prosperity potential of corruption in Nigeria.

So, what is the cause of corruption? Corruption is brought forth when a man considers another with no value though they have a physiological semblance.  It is the inferiority complex in the man that considers himself lower that makes him consider the person with more physical possessions more important. In return the more important man bequeaths the treatment of he who is of little or no importance upon the poor man. In the end, a line is drawn in-between and aggressive envy and demand for respect (even when it is not duly earned) both arise.

Consequently, whenever a man with little value attains authority, he runs mad and abuses the conferred power.  Similarly, as the important man prospers, he becomes prone to taking actions without due consideration for the effect of his actions on the less important man.

Though the less important or unimportant man has a value, if he does not realise it and live with this confidence, he will become corrupt and corrupt other people around him. If, for instance, he is a poor carpenter, he must realise that he is contributing to the economy in his own little way. He is providing service and adding value. The important man must also realise that he does not have to belittle anyone to retain his value. Even if he decides to wash the feet of all the beggars in his neighbourhood, it cannot take away his possessions.

The works of men have solidified their hearts and corrupted their ways. Shall we ask that the arrow of God come forth as lightning and touch our hearts that things may turn right?