BASIC PRINCIPLES OF NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION.

There are laws governing the existence of creation. Life itself is governed by principles that are instructions which the creator has put in place to enable the creatures appreciate and enjoy life. But when these laws are flouted, creation begins to groan and creatures start to suffer. According to the law of creation, when a manufacturer creates, invents or produces a product, he also produces a manual to guide the user of such products on the best way to maximize the benefits of the product. As Chief Creator of the earth, God has also given us a manual on how best to utilize the potentials and benefits of the earth. It is the neglect of these laws and instructions that has brought deformation to our society and impoverished nations bringing untold hardship to people. We are most responsible for our suffering and dilemma because, whether knowingly or unknowingly, we disobeyed the laws of creation.

We need to approach the issue of national development from three points of view:

MAN TO MAN APPROACH

The starting point of any meaningful transformation in society begins with man. Until a man has been able to effect change in himself psychologically, mentally and intellectually, he cannot change his society. And the first point of call when it comes to self-transformation is a change of heart.

CHANGE OF HEART

National transformation is not possible without first changing the heart (mind set) of a people. Unless people are change from within, don’t expect a change from without. Change is inevitable if national transformation must occur. Most people think that enacting laws is just all a society needs to be transformed. No. laws are not enough. People must decide to change and realize that except they change inwardly, they cannot change things outwardly.

You need a change of heart to experience a changed life. When a man’s heart is changed, then you will find these four essential virtues in his life; Truth, Integrity, Honesty and Justice.

Only when these four are found in a society is that society ready for a national transformation. The importance of truth, integrity, honesty and justice in bringing about transformation in society cannot be over emphasized. No amount of natural resources or wealth deposit in a land can transform a nation without truth, integrity and justice. If the amount of wealth in a land is determined by the amount of natural resources that land has, then the entire African continent will be one of the richest in the world. But because that is not the case we find Africa at the bottom of the development ladder among all continents of the world in spite of its riches in mineral and material resource. Over 80% of the countries in Europe do not have oil.

National development does not necessarily depend on the material wealth available but on the level of psychological, mental, and intellectual development of the people. The reason why we are not developing is not because of bad government or corrupt leaders alone but it is because there is no honesty, integrity, truth and justice in our people.  As a matter of fact, development is stronger only when there is honesty, integrity, truth and justice in the grass root because they make the economy and not the government.

Let us look at these four evidences of a changed heart.

Truth – It mean to be genuine, exact and faithful, to be in accordance with facts. We must be genuine to ourselves and to ourselves and to our fellow men. We must develop a culture of presenting facts just the way they are, not being false or hypocritical in our speech, action or thoughts. You can never lose telling the truth.

Integrity – This is the quality of having high moral principles. We must have high moral principle for ourselves and maintain such when dealing with men. We must keep our promises no matter how much it will cost us because at times your integrity will cost you more money. We must never waiver in our dealings in our dealings with people. Integrity makes you say a thing and stand by it against all odds. Integrity makes you never to bend on a decision. It is firm and stable. It is dependable and trustworthy. It goes the extra mile and always say what it means and mean what it says.

Honesty – This is the quality of being faithful and moral. It means to be open and sincere. When the features of honesty are enshrined in a society, men find it difficult to give or accept bribes. Now if someone gives a bribe to enter into a political office, of course he will also steal from the country to recover what he had given. So if we are not willing to take bribes, we may not have corrupt persons in power. The receiver of bribe is as guilty as the giver. It is not religion or prayer that develops a nation but adherence to Godly principles. God is a respecter of principles more than prayers.

Justices – This has to do with fairness and impartiality. Everyman deserves justice because all men were created equally. When the rulers begin to do the right thing, people begin to respond with patriotism. The poor must treat the poor with honour and the rich must also treat the poor with respect. People should not get what they don’t deserve and on the other hand people should not also be denied what they deserve. When the rich oppress the poor God is angry, how much more when the poor oppress the poor. Justice is the hallmark of every good leader. If a leader can be just, fair and impartial his government will make great impact in society. A nation may endure even poverty but no nation can co-exist with injustice.