In the "sociology of crime and deviance," rational choice theorists are of the view that if people are to comply with the law because of fear of punishment, then the punishment has to be certain and immediate. If punishment is deferred until later time, people are most likely not to see its immediate impact.
One way that Christianity and Islam might have contributed to people breaking the law flagrantly in Nigeria, is that the two faiths traditions tend to emphasize life after death. If one can loot the treasury now, knowing that the punishment is not immediate, and it is not certain, but until life after death, the person is most likely to risk that. Why?
Because after you loot the treasury, you can go and repent to the the Almighty God. Often repentance in Nigeria does not mean refunding what you have looted to those that were victims as the tax collector was expected to do in Biblical times. In Nigeria, repentance means means God or Allah forgiving you and expecting you to do good henceforth, while you enjoy your loot. You might even donate the money to your religious group or do some charity with it, which would make people forgive and forget.
Indeed, the people may even say that the looter is a good person because at least he or she looted but shared with others. They would say those who loot and keep it just to themselves and their children are the most wicked people. So instead of "they should realize that one day they will be brought to the alter of justice," I prefer that day of reckoning to be immediate. IMPUNITY is a major problem in Nigeria. If laws cannot be enforced, it brings disrespect to the institution of law.
Samuel
One way that Christianity and Islam might have contributed to people breaking the law flagrantly in Nigeria, is that the two faiths traditions tend to emphasize life after death. If one can loot the treasury now, knowing that the punishment is not immediate, and it is not certain, but until life after death, the person is most likely to risk that. Why?
Because after you loot the treasury, you can go and repent to the the Almighty God. Often repentance in Nigeria does not mean refunding what you have looted to those that were victims as the tax collector was expected to do in Biblical times. In Nigeria, repentance means means God or Allah forgiving you and expecting you to do good henceforth, while you enjoy your loot. You might even donate the money to your religious group or do some charity with it, which would make people forgive and forget.
Indeed, the people may even say that the looter is a good person because at least he or she looted but shared with others. They would say those who loot and keep it just to themselves and their children are the most wicked people. So instead of "they should realize that one day they will be brought to the alter of justice," I prefer that day of reckoning to be immediate. IMPUNITY is a major problem in Nigeria. If laws cannot be enforced, it brings disrespect to the institution of law.
Samuel
> Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - 2015: Present politicians and Awolowo's paradigm
> From: seguno2013@gmail.com
> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:16:15 +0100
> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
>
> "Will Nigeria ever produce leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo again?"
> This is a million dollar question. Only Olodumare can tell. Pa. Awo has done his own bit but Nigerians frustrated his effort and gave him a portfolio that he did not deserve. Imagine someone called him "the best president Nigeria never had." As you rightly noted the Sage was called "the prophet of doom." Pa. Awo rendered a selfless service for his country and instead of praising him they libeled "a tribalist".
> Whatever happens to this country we must hold our leaders accountable. They should realize that one day they will be brought to the alter of justice.
> Pa. Awo lives on.
>
> Segun Ogungbemi Ph.D
> Professor of Philosophy
> Adekunle Ajasin University
> Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State
> Nigeria
> Cellphone: 08033041371
> 08024670952
>
> > On Sep 18, 2014, at 10:25 AM, "'kayode Ketefe' via USA Africa Dialogue Series" <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:
> >
> > ? Will Nigeria ever produce leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo again?
>
> --
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> From: seguno2013@gmail.com
> Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:16:15 +0100
> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
>
> "Will Nigeria ever produce leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo again?"
> This is a million dollar question. Only Olodumare can tell. Pa. Awo has done his own bit but Nigerians frustrated his effort and gave him a portfolio that he did not deserve. Imagine someone called him "the best president Nigeria never had." As you rightly noted the Sage was called "the prophet of doom." Pa. Awo rendered a selfless service for his country and instead of praising him they libeled "a tribalist".
> Whatever happens to this country we must hold our leaders accountable. They should realize that one day they will be brought to the alter of justice.
> Pa. Awo lives on.
>
> Segun Ogungbemi Ph.D
> Professor of Philosophy
> Adekunle Ajasin University
> Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State
> Nigeria
> Cellphone: 08033041371
> 08024670952
>
> > On Sep 18, 2014, at 10:25 AM, "'kayode Ketefe' via USA Africa Dialogue Series" <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:
> >
> > ? Will Nigeria ever produce leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo again?
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the "USA-Africa Dialogue Series" moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin.
> For current archives, visit http://groups.google.com/group/USAAfricaDialogue
> For previous archives, visit http://www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa/ads/index.html
> To post to this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to USAAfricaDialogue-
> unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
> ---
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