Addressing the Insecurity Challenge in Nigeria: The Imperative of Moral Values and Virtue Ethics

Abstract

The insecurity challenge in Nigeria has assumed a formidable dimension that not only requires a multi- stakeholder approach, as it is being touted in various quarters, in quelling this conflagration threatening Nigeria's statehood, but also necessitates a revival and reinforcement of moral values and virtues. The thirst for blood and the preference for violence in expressing pent-up frustration and disenchantment with the state, its citizens and national totems may be a pointer to the need to revive moral values and virtues within the socio- economic, political, religious and educational institutions in the country. Nigerian leaders, politicians and their amen corners must be forced to evince and uphold moral values and virtues in all their conduct in order to lead by example and to avoid heating up the polity unnecessarily by their conducts and comments which sometimes incite violence in their followers. This study advocates that the country should begin to live by the credo that no leader's political ambition is worth the drop of any Nigerian's blood. It also argues that when moral values are subscribed to by leaders, they will not be involved in the manipulation of the electoral process, official corruption and other vices which fester the deep wounds already nursed by different segments in the polity. Consequently, the security challenge in Nigeria throws a moral challenge to all and sundry to live by high moral standards that place a value on life, that seek peaceful means to conflict resolution and that promote justice, equity, fairness and empathy in the country