Stop Sharp Practices By Prof. Sabitu Olagoke

The root cause of many nations failing is due to various sharp practices of their people which their various governments failed to control.

It becomes a matter of serious concern when such dastardly acts get to a crescendo in the 21st century, creating a wide gap of regime between the elite culture of kleptocracy and the hurt dividend of poverty, even under a democratic political concept where justice ad equity is Germaine to the realization of peace, security, and sustainable development, in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Nepotism dominates the strategic process of employment to the detriment of merit, productivity, and profitability. It is worrisome to note that the religious sector is passive, even though it is crucial to the restoration of sanity in the polity. The question now is how far have we fared in learning to be disciplined and trustworthy from messages of experiences in history as well as from the scriptural texts upholding our religious beliefs.

From the biblical perspective, the story of Hanninas and Sapphira is enough for people to shun acts of corruption. Acts 5: 1-11 refers,'' But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many, as heard these things.''

Similarly, the Holy Quran 5: 62-63 refers,'' Many of them dost thou see raising each other in sin and transgression and their eating of things forbidden. Evil, indeed, is the things they do.''

In the scheme of restoring sanity into our national life, our houses of God have been made mere puns in the hands of the dubious political environment, making the nations head towards the precipice.

The chaotic situation of several nations today, such as Nigeria, suits prophetic observations as contained above. This is why religious leaders and the Doctors of Law need to do the required, so as not to bear the brunt of all the misdemeanor and sacrileges been perpetrated by the people in their heights of ignorance.

''Why do not the Rabbis and the Doctors of Law forbid them from their habit of altering sinful words and eating things forbidden? Evil indeed is, let us all their works.''

As stakeholders, let us all stop sharp practices to promote the unity, peace, and development of our nation, Nigeria.