Make the constitution available in local languages

AMONG all the things that enhance the crime rate in a society, ignorance takes a noticeable position, though it is never a defence in the law court. According to the great Greek philosopher and teacher, Aristotle, while knowledge is a virtue, ignorance is a vice; a disease that can kill an individual gradually without affecting the individual’s normal health. Not only the individual can suffer from this psychological ailment; the society, community and country where the individual finds his or her residence are prone to its outcome.

Nigeria operates a written law documented in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution, 1999. Apart from safeguarding the fundamental human rights of every citizen, it also defines the responsibilities of both the ruled and the rulers. It is an important one every Nigerian should not only posses, but also be able to read and understand in order to create a just and egalitarian society. It is no longer appropriate to rue the language barrier in the country. That was immediately after independence. The constitution and all the amendments to it being written in English should not hinder access to it.

Educating the masses on their duties and obligations and their fundamental human rights cannot be successful without using the language they understand best. And such a language is often their native tongue. Therefore, it  has become necessary for the National Assembly and the Federal Government to translate the book from English to at least three native languages: Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. Putting this in place can transmit the knowledge of the law to the citizens. And to a very large extent, ignorance and its end product, crimes, can be reduced.

The constitution cannot really work effectively if it is out of the reach of the citizens whose rights are often abused by the police and other security agencies, and who usually fail to perform their constitutional responsibilities just because they are ignorant of its contents.

The document is mostly common in academic environments where there are law students and very few bookshops. Even if it is translated from English to the local languages, its non-availability will still make it far-fetched. And crimes will be expected to thrive as ignorance soars. Of course, non-awareness of the contents of the constitution is not limited to the unlettered citizens across the country; numerous graduates, academics and other professionals are not familiar with it. Therefore, it is also important to produce more copies of it and sell at subsidised rates to the people.

The National Assembly should see it as a duty to sensitise and educate Nigerians on the importance, uses and contents of the constitution. Each member can shoulder the responsibility of making copies of the constitution available to those who can read English in their constituencies and senatorial districts. This is preferable to the idea of buying foodstuff for the people they represent. As a matter of fact, the document will be more accessible.

The Ministry of Education has many things to contribute. The translation of the document can be done under its supervision. Besides, the curriculum on civic education can be broadened to make it inclusive. A segment of it can be based on teaching and learning the 1999 Constitution. The ministry can also make the constitution available for students, most especially at senior secondary school level. It is like borrowing from the Catholic Church’s notion of “catching them young.”