By Comrade Shuaib Isa Ahmad
It stands to reason that Human Insecurity has attained high levels in Nigeria, especially in the North Western and the North Eastern region of the country. Millions of people live below the poverty line and without any positive action ,the number will keep on increasing.
With high incidents of conflicts and instability, whenever a state is considered to be unstable ,people of thought may often termed it as fragile or failed state.
Of all the fundamental human rights, none supercedes the right to life. The provision for the protection of lives and property is the most important duty of any good government.
Hence, when the government of any country fails to discharge this duty effectively, it's a cause for alarm.
Undoubtedly, countries like Nigeria suffering from insecurity and economic instability would have no hope if nothing is actively done to remedy the situation.
Meanwhile, to cure any illness, its cause should be investigated and its symptoms observed. Hence, we should ask ourselves, what factors triggered and facilitated insurgency and economic corruption in Nigeria?
Also, why are the 'efforts' made at overcoming them largely ineffective?
There are many factors that contribute to Nigeria's downward plunge. The corruption practised by its citizens, both those in authority and the laymen, is alarming. Likewise, the conspiracies surrounding the so-called terrorist organizations thriving in the country are indeed overwhelming.
As for the efforts at overcoming the corrupt practices prevalent in the nation, they're mostly suppressed by the corrupt majority within the authority of the state.
Leaders rarely view leadership as a position of service and responsibility, rather, they see it as an avenue for self-enrichment. Even more alarming is how the spirit of helping and giving is dimming by the day, as selfishness invades the hearts of most Nigerians.
Unfortunately, the masses, despite being deprived, make wrong choices when it comes to supporting potential candidates by sacrificing their future for a fleeting present. So blinded are they that they fumble and stumble in darkness.
With a situation like this, why won't Nigeria retrogress? Like in the capitalist nations where the rich become richer and the poor become poorer, the so-called Nigerian 'elites' pass wealth and power among themselves and their stooges, leaving the poor masses sinking deeper into the abyss of misery.
If only the Nigerian system of government could be fair enough to economically accommodate all its citizens by borrowing a leaf from the Islamic system of government which proposes equitable distribution of wealth and opportunity, we wouldn't be where we are today.
The Islamic light of knowledge and awareness would've illuminated the path and hearts of masses and elites alike.
The religion of Islam contains divine injunctions with rational laid-down rules and guidelines that are capable of solving the economic problems of nations. Zakat and Khums, which are taxes on wealth and earnings, help in achieving such an equitable distribution.
In Islam, wealthy individuals are required to give out 2.5% of their income to the needy annually. With this, beneficiaries of this well-established injunction may rise on their feet and even help others the next year! In the case of Khums, 20% of bounties are also given out. This is in addition to the alms that Muslims are encouraged to give frequently to the needy.
All these, and many more encouraged acts of Goodwill help in achieving a self-sufficient, content and connected economy that progresses exponentially!
On the other hand, when we critically analyze the reasons behind the worsening insurgency and its accompanying challenges, it would be apparent that a lot of conspiracies are at work. Meanwhile, the dearth of the spirit of sacrifice stops our armed forces from combating the renegades to the best of their ability.
They're usually afraid of getting killed in action, leaving behind families that would most likely remain uncatered for by the government and the society, a situation that wouldn't have been a cause of worry had the government and the society implemented accomodating policies and practices in taking care of the survivors of martyrs.
In Islam, such a spirit is very much alive, as adherents who faithfully believe in the true religion fight for it to the best of their ability whenever the need arises. Apart from their hope of gaining eternal salvation through martyrdom on account of their service, they have a strong sense of loyalty that enables them to sacrifice their wealth, lives and everything for their true, just cause.
It is however noteworthy that this strong passion of muslims for their religion is quite different from what some created terrorists who claim to be Muslims practise.
True Muslims fight only when absolutely necessary, not for wealth, power or land but mostly in defence, as documented in history books. War is often their last resort, but when it becomes incumbent, they give their best, defeating enemies who were multiples of their own number.
How wonderful it would be if Nigerians could adopt the good natured passion of the pious people that championed the call for freedom , humanity, equality and divine justice. Their firm belief in legitimate causes, their abhorrence of corruption and vile practices, their equitable economic policies and their implicit selflessness and sacrifice! Aren't all these what the rational citizen would want from a government? Then why not an Islamic system of government?
Comrade Shuaib Isa Ahmad
shuaibahmad400@gmail.com
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