ONE of the things that hinders progress in our lives as a nation is the rate at which we accumulate sins. Evil deeds such as injustice, armed robberies, killings, kidnappings, raping, rituals are quick to be found every where.

Recently, The former Special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati painted a surreal picture of incredible things that go on beyond the glitz and glamour of the official residence and office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, popularly called the Aso Rock.

He recounted strange and some times, tragic occurrences that befell people who work or live in the precincts of the Presidential Villa. Others who have close contact with the Villa have also shared their views. Some believe the story while others described it as thrash.

The fact is that we cannot deny the fact that rituals, killings, and all sort of inhumanity to man are prevalent in our society.

The bizarre of Otokoto in Owerri 1996, the Okija shrine debacle in 2004, the forest of horror otherwise known as ritual killers’ den, in Soka forest, Ibadan a couple of years back did not serve us any lesson neither did the horror offered us a lesson to shun sins and toe the path of righteousness.

Horrific atrocities

Even if we deny or consign Dr Abati’s claim to garbage bin, we cannot deny the fact that horrific atrocities, ritual killings and other man’s inhumanity to man exist in our society. It will only take an effortless investigation to unravel other horrific killings for rituals going on in different parts of the country.

Inclination has replaced wisdom; vain desires substituted reason; bad deed in place of good deed; hypocrisy has replaced devotion; illegality has taken over legality, stealing, looting and treachery have come over uprightness. When we look at the clouds of evil deeds casting their shadows around us today, sincere minds will be marveled the way we have degenerated. Evil has taken over the land, the injustices of the wicked, and evil doers go unpunished.

The rich and powerful trample upon the rights of the poor, weak, orphans with impunity; causing blessing to take a flight. Good deeds become less in supply, and life has become corrupted because of the wickedness of the wrong-doers.

Young Efe, (not real name) who was orphaned at the age of 10 eventually became a murderer. He had his father and mother wiped out by unknown gunmen. The family sought for justice, but it remained elusive.

It was at that point he vowed to avenge the death of  his parents.  He took to the streets, joined several gangs and became notorious. Before his last breath, he confessed to have carried out several killings both for the purpose of rituals and for other illicit intents by his numerous clients.

This situation is one of the orgies of wickedness going on cyclically in the land.  By these acts and many more, individuals and families have been inflicted with unbearable pain, and hardship. Evils have become the norm so much that a kid inadvertently thinks in that direction as if it was a good thing.

What have we done as country, what have the leaders done to punish offenders and that such sins are not committed?

All these sins have undesirable impact on our daily lives as a people. Everything is upside down and inside out. Problems have defied solution as we continue to immerse deeper in sins. These sins greatly and actively contribute to the difficulties of our daily lives.

The only solution is for every individual to turn a new leaf, repent, seek forgiveness of sins and lead a righteous life. Our leaders must first recognise that the burden of sins greatly inhibits us from accessing the ultimate blessings of Allah and harnessing the huge natural endowment Allah has placed upon the land and its people.

‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas said: “Good deeds make the face light, give light to the heart, and bring about ample provision, physical strength and love in people’s hearts. Bad deeds make the face dark, give darkness to the heart, and bring about physical weakness, a lack of provision and hatred in people’s hearts.”

If we can move away from sinful acts, our trials and tribulations will be over. Allah says : “Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allah, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself…”

(Surah al-Nisa’ 4:79)

In another area, Allah said to the Prophet: (s.a.w) “Say: O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)

In Musnad Ahmad it is narrated that Thawbaan said: “The Messenger of Allah (SAWS) said: ‘A man is deprived of provision because of the sins that he commits.’” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 4022, classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah)

Allah is always pleased when we ask for His forgiveness for our sins. Several portions in the Quran have re-emphasied that Allah is always looking for ways to forgive his believing slaves: Inna Laha Gafurun–Raheemun. After His forgiveness, comes His blessings.

The better we understand the ghastly nature of our sins, and make a retrieval of it, the better for the nation. May Almighty Allah forgive us and cleanse us from all acts of wickedness and man’s inhumanity to man. Amin.