By Haroon Balogun

The need for a change in our society, cannot be overemphasized. That is why the feeling and expectations of Nigerians are high today as President Muhammad Buhari takes over the baton of leadership. Nigeria, as we all know is currently mired in great challenges. The challenge of indiscipline, the challenge of corruption, terrorism, kidnapping and other form of insecurity; of favoritism, of ostentatiousness, of get-rich-quick of various kinds of impunity to mention a few.

R-L; Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Dahiru Musdaher, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Abdulrhman Dambazu; Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdullaziz Yari Abubakar; President Muhammadu Buhari and his personal aide, Abba Sarki during a prayer in remembrance of Late Emir of Kano Alhaji Dr. Ado Bayero shortly after the Jumaat prayers at the National Mosque in Abuja, yesterday. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida

We cannot ignore the turmoil that surrounds us, the economic instability, the unending fuel and power crisis, while many hustle and struggle to get just only a meal per day in a country of super abundance.

We know the leader gives direction and percolates on what the citizery should do. That is why President Muhammad Buhari needs to be focus and deliver on his promise of change in all aspect of our lives that are stinking.

Whatever the reasons that led to this stage, it’s clear that a change is essential to get out from this chaos. Again, the process of change starts with us. There should be a personal change that will improve our society.

We need to inculcate Islamic values and other better related secular values in our lives. Some of the elements and metaphor for indiscipline is the syndrome of get-rich-quick where everybody will immediately throw decorum and decency to the wind in order to get rich quick.

Our religious leaders cannot be absolve of blame because they propagated the gospel of prosperity instead of decency, discipline and decorum. Now, rather than the liberalization and proliferation the gospel of prosperity especially in the christendom, we need to change our ways, instil and preach discipline, sermonise on contentment and spiritual fulfillment, redirect the psychic of our people on the part of good behaviour.

The ability to come out of this state – to change – also gives us hope for a better future lies with us. We also need to engage in the process of change with perseverance and equanimity as lasting change however, isn’t that easy In the Quran Allah mentions numerous nations who were given time to heed to His message and change. The ones who didn’t were suddenly taken by surprise at their appointed time.

In the Chapter of Al-Anaam (verse 44), Allah says, “So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened for them the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them (in punishment), and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.” while they will bear their burdens on their backs; and evil indeed are the burdens that they will bear!

“ The message above couldn’t be clearer. Allah gives us the time to reform ourselves. When we postpone indefinitely, we shouldn’t be surprised if our conditions worsen. Allah says in the Quran, “Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad). And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss in health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves (believe with humility).”

(Chapter 6, Verse 42) We should, therefore, urgently start facing up to our spiritual and worldly imperfections which may be manifesting as sins. Accordingly, we need to make the connection between those imperfections and our undesirable conditions. Remember, the price of putting off change can come in the form of tough times and future regrets.

Let no one be left behind, the desire for change alone can’t manifest the complexities to bring out that change, the will-power, the resolve for change irrespective of the consequences and the real effort needed to bring it to fruition, calmness, perseverance and determination are needed now to transform into change.