Nigeria's Challenges & Solutions Brush Aside.

Written by Hadiza Babakatcha 

Africa’s most populous country, largest economy and most notable democracy, Nigeria is a bellwether for the continent. A weakening economy, rising insecurity and violent conflicts threaten progress made in its democratic development. Amid deepening distrust in government and institutions, Nigeria has significant work to do in improving national, state and local security and governance...USIP

Sad but the truth, everyday there are reports about surge of insecurities, staggering poverty across the country, increase in the prices of everything and, an alarming rate of youth Unemployment and restiveness. 

Human lives are being lost or damage by the day, women to widows, children_fatherless, even women and children are not exempted from the heat of insecurities ranging from Bokoharam, armed banditry, herders violence and others groups perpetrating evil acts in the country. 

 _ which way Nigeria??

For each passing government administration, it seems that the country's situation is deteriorating, what are we doing wrong? What is it we are not doing as a country? What are we over looking? For every problem, there MUST be a profound solution or suggestions to better the situation. 

What are we getting right? What should we pay more attention to as a country, and the bellwether of the continent of Africa. 

I think, it's high time we went home to make the change and the corrections we crave and need as a country. 

After all, home is where the change begins.

Home in this context mean the community (A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, manners and tradition)

What better way to pass an effective message to the community than the traditional Rulers, after all before colonialism, traditional rulers were the epitome of authority! 

Nigerian Traditional Rulers existed in their independent communities before the formation of modern Nigeria, the rulers commands respect from their people and have considerable influence.Before the arrival of the British in the late 19th century, each group, community or town have a recognised ruler, whom they trust, beliefs in and listened to. 

There were laws that guides such communities, and punishments for the defaulters of the such laws.

The people entrusted their Kings, Emirs, Obas and the likes with the protection of their lives, properties and the Kingdoms from encroachments.

Even in today's modern Nigeria, Traditional rulers are highly respected in many communities, they have political and economic influence. 

Power and influence, in my view is the major difference between politicians and Traditional Rulers. 

Power is capacity to get others to act based on positional authority that is exercised over others; often leading to resentment.

 Influence is the ability to modify how a person develops, behaves, or thinks based on relationships and persuasion; often leading to respect.

In Nigeria, citizens identify themselves first to their communities before being addressed as a Nigerian. 

The Community fathers play vital roles in their various kingdoms, they are the closest to the people, they are the bridges between the government and the people. 

Therefore, for a sustainable change, stability & peace in the country, government must work closely with the traditional body because every citizen held from a community even the bandits, kidnapper and others persons perpetrating evil, if truly they are Nigerians, then they come from one community or another. 

Government, especially at federal level should prescribe roles and equiped the community fathers with all necessary support as an approach to bringing the country's challenges to an halt.

Through the influence and efforts of Kings, Chiefs, Emirs, and Oba's there would surely be a drastic improvement and stability in peace and unity in communities and the country as a whole. 

References:
United States Institutes of Peace USIP.
Wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria_traditional_rulers