As the editor of New Era magazine in Kano, in the early 70’s, I recruited an Islamic scholar to translate the English texts into Hausa.
The magazine’s sales astronomically soared. Many Islamic scholars came to the house to discuss with me. We had lively debates about Nigeria.
I was presented with the Holy Koran by some friends, which I read avidly.
I won an indelible impression about the Prophet of Islam, (may the peace and mercy of Allah be on him).
Having read the Bible many times over, I had the comparative knowledge to conclude that both religions give guides to righteous living on earth, preparatory to entrance into paradise.
Ignorance of facts about the two Abrahamic creeds must be eliminated..
If the manufacturers of Coca Cola insists that Seven-Up does not quench thirst, I will drink Seven-Up and find out.
A study of HADITH introduces one to deeds, sayings and life of the Prophet (may the peace and mercy of Allah be on him) The worth of the traditions are invaluable sources of wisdom.
Matters relating to law and theology are embedded in the Traditions.
The writings of M.O.Abdul illuminate the points. His method of transliteration is unique.
The Apostolic Traditions of the HADITH received theological expositions in the forty traditions of Al-Nawawi
In our present Nigeria, S. Aufal, verse 31-33 addresses the “cynicism of people, when faced with the truth” that Nigeria cannot continue the way we are going.
In S. Yusuf, verse 22, it states that “knowledge and wisdom are given to one in maturity, as a reward from God.” So, if one has no wisdom and knowledge to govern, it shows.
S.Ibrahim, verse 42, “Let not the unjust think that they can get away with their iniquities” This applies to both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.
To all those, who are addicted to the 2015 dispensation, the future is a mystery and yet to come.
If we do not prepare to make 2015 a success, it will pass as a wind.
In framing the synthesis of our political , social experience, we examined American and European political literature, especially, the political writings of Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Madison, William James and Joihn Dewey. Also, Alexander Pope, Winston Churchill.
Their writings contain the ingredients that shape a robust political consciousness.
That Americans have developed the spirit of enterprise, governmental ethics that disallow dishonesty, impunity and criminality in public life can be traced to free expression of political thought.
In India, the Laws of Manu proclaimed ideals and standards of behavior in public life.
The Feta Negact of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church became part and parcel of the philosophical ethics of the Greek and Roman juristic thought.
Aristotle, Socrates and Plato benefited from the existing legal theories based on objective ethical criteria.
Later, the Roman jurist Justinian was able to build the Justinian Institutes, which were used effectively during the Roman occupation of Britain.
Fragments of the 1896 legislations in Britain were made to have effect t in the colonies, including Nigeria.
While active British law-making has moved on, Nigerian law-making has been in the hands of brain-washed Oxbridge lawyers, who served the military in imposing constitutions that do not address issues relevant to the socio-economic emancipation of our people.
Allowing School Certificate holders to sit in the highest councils of the land resulted in poor conduct of national affairs.
The Southern part of Nigeria is dominated by people who studied in Britain, speak fine English, but are short of the political philosophy evinced in nation-building.
The nation is bewitched by loud noise-makers, who are favoured by a press that extols the “virtues” of destroyers of the Republic, perching on mansions and using stolen wealth to reappear each time the nation craves for a new dispensation.
In Nigeria, ethics and law amount to nothing and hence, people do not have regard for both.
In America, pragmatism was regarded as a particular type of empirical philosophy and it had a tremendous influence in shaping societal ethos, which makes the American society to abhor the criminality we treat wth levity, so people get away with crimes.
This weakens the democratic process.
So, when I look at Nigeria from both sides, I find that political actions do not find accommodation in a unified national consensus. There is too much ad hocism, shallow political thought based on materialism and not socially edifying objectives.
It was announced lately that the carrot political system, crudely known as “settlement” will soon be in vogue. When the politics of rock and roll takes root, the people will again be left in the cold.
If we adhere to the precepts in the Holy Quran and the teachings in the Bible, a better Nigeria will emerge.
