A dictionary definition of “anomie” is a state of instability (instability in society caused by the erosion or abandonment of moral and social codes). It is also defined as social alienation (a feeling of disorientation and alienation from society caused by the perceived absence of a supporting social or moral framework). The term was introduced by a French Sociologist, Émile Durkheim, in his study of suicide.
A media specialist a few days ago, while speaking with a group, said he was so shocked at the happenings in the present-day Nigeria. He said that the things happening in society nowadays were never contemplated when he was in his youth.
“I grew up in Lagos and I knew what the city used to be. What we are seeing now is totally different from what we saw or what anybody could imagine will ever happen in and to Lagos,” the former managing director of a defunct newspaper organisation recalled.
“Today, what do we see? Day-light and mindless rape cases; a man of 45 raping two-year old girl; kidnap cases, and not just that people kidnap, they open up their victims alive and harvest vital organs- the heart, liver, etc- which they sell to some people overseas for the sake of money. Bestiality all over the place. There’s this group in Ikorodu that calls itself Badoo, they kill their victims in a most horrendous manner, using pestles. We are told that after killing their victims, they would soak a white handkerchief in their blood. Such handkerchiefs are said to be sold to people at N500,000 (five hundred thousand),” said the media guru, who now runs a public relations outfit.
He also recalled the pathetic incident on Lagos Island months back, when a band of rascal boys openly, and in the full public glare attempted to rape some girls in a fiendish ecstasy, in so-called celebration of their last paper during a West African Certificate Examination.
“The incident was one of the brazen crimes by youths in the 21st Century Nigeria. Some female pupils of Falomo Senior High School were molested by their fellow pupils from Ireti Grammar School in broad daylight upon the completion of their final exams,” he recalled.
The Nigerian state is indeed going through a difficult phase that has left many citizens apprehensive. Tension is rising on a daily basis; the security situation is very challenging. The threats and counter threats from different parts of the country are instilling fear in many people. Some observers say that Nigeria is going through a kind of crisis that was only witnessed during the civil war time.
“It is only in war situation you will see soldiers wielding guns menacingly on the street in the midst of civilians. We are seeing a Nigeria where the regular police can no longer manage the mere civil disturbances. Today, we have all security apparatuses doing routine checks on the streets and major roads. It is absurd to say the least,” Tony Oham, a security expert, said.
Oham also lamented the erosion of values that were held so dear yesteryear. “I am not very sure the churches and mosques are living up to the original purpose of their existence. Karl Marx said that religion is the ‘opium of the masses,’ which means that religion is the last resort for the oppressed. In the past, people found solace in churches and mosques. If someone’s mind is troubled, the person goes there to seek divine intervention and solace; but not anymore.
“The values and morals have vanished; people are being duped, raped and even killed for rituals right inside worship centres in the country. Marriage vows are flagrantly being broken right inside the church as ministers who even conducted the marriages work to destroy such unions. We hear and read stories of pastors and imams sleeping with the wives of their members; some women leaders, playing sugar mummies to young boys in their congregations. So as it stands now, there’s no hiding place,” Oham said.
On how Nigeria got to this sorry state, the security analysts it is the negative influence of foreign cultures and over-assimilation of such cultures, noting that since Nigeria cannot possibly be an island in a technology-ruled world, she can possibly not afford to close her doors against the intrusion of some of the harmful cultures. He also blamed the ugly developments partly on failure of leadership in society and absence of role models.
“There’s serious failure of leadership in the country right now, at all levels and in all places, including the home. It begins from the home; many parents have lost their bearings and responsibilities. In the name of pampering their children, things have gone out of hand. In the public and private sectors, it is the same story. People steal public funds without batting eyelids. In the church, people steal and make merchandise of the poor people in the congregation. There are hardly no role models in society that the youth can look up to. Everything seems to be in a shambles,” the security expert said.
“We no longer condemn bad things; no one asks anybody how he/she came about his/her sudden wealth. The end justifies the means. One of the worst things that have happened to Nigerians is the failure of government to create job opportunities for the youth or to provide environment conducive enough for people who want to go into their individual businesses to survive,” he further observed, adding, “If you look into the society, there is decay all over the place. The country is not developing, but decaying by the day, yet we claim trillions of naira is being spent.”
A Psychologist, Angelina Onos, who spoke with BDSUNDAY, decried the level of ills in the Nigerian society. Onos traced the rot to the acquisitive nature of the political class, which she claimed fouled the once sweet air of the Nigerian moral environment.
“You can easily trace the ills in the country to one thing- greed; by extension, the crave for mammon of money. Everybody is in a haste to become a millionaire. The political class has done a huge damage on the country and has negatively affected the psyche of many youths. For instance, you have a friend who because of his connections got a political appointment. Under a period of one year, the same person who was coming to you for financial assistance is now talking in millions and embarking on big projects, just under one year he got into office. It creates panic and a wrong impression that there is no point to engage in projects that take time to mature. If I must tell you, this is why the talk about agriculture has yet to win many disciples in Nigeria,” said Onos.
According to her, “The lavish lifestyle of our politicians and a good number of members of the clergy has seriously affected the psyche of many Nigerians. If you think about kidnapping, ritual killings, armed robbery, etc., a number of people who are into them, is just reacting to the harsh society that pays the bill of a few individuals off a collective patrimony.
“I have told many people and I keep saying it, it takes a divine touch for one not to misbehave in a society such as Nigeria. Today, many people are embracing criminal activities on the unfortunate principle of ‘if you can’t win them, you join them.’”
Zebulon Agomuo
