Plato’s idea, solution to Nigeria’s problems

 PLATO was a great philosopher of Greek origin. He suggested a just state and a just citizen. In Plato’s explanation, a just state is a country with good leadership that; supplies all the necessary amenities to her citizens, provides employment for the citizens, makes sure that the citizens’ lives and properties are protected, provides shelters, food, good health, among others.

If such idea is emulated by the Nigerian government, Nigeria will be a better place to live. Also, a just state is a country where there is justice and equity. But in Nigeria, the judiciary system is no longer what it used to be. Nepotism, tribalism, favouritism, and several other vices, have characterised our judicial system, highest bidder wins cases in most cases.

Justice and equity is fading out in Nigeria, to make Nigeria a better place to live, our judiciary that is supposed to be the hope of the masses should make its verdicts on justice and equity as against what is in place currently. Furthermore, a just state should provide adequate security for her citizens as claimed by Plato. Unfortunately, Nigeria has turned into a comfortable country for terrorists. Killing by various painful and wicked ways is the order of the day.

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Nigeria is becoming a barbaric society, which is a total deviation from our vision of becoming one of the top 20 countries of the world before 2020. It is also shameful that we cannot celebrate 48hours stable electricity in most cities in Nigeria knowing that electricity supply is the bedrock of industrialisation. A just society should be able to give quality education to her citizens and also provide them with jobs.

The state of Nigerian institutions, from primary to university level, is nothing to write home about. millions of Nigerians are jobless while the few ones that are working are under-employed because their take home cannot take them anywhere. Plato also talked about a just citizen, that is, a citizen that is loyal and faithful to his or her country. It is disheartening that Nigerian citizens have globally soiled the image of our country due to their involvement in various illegal activities.

Also, our leaders are not just due to their involvement in activities like; false assets declaration, embezzlement, money laundry, just to mention but a few. More so, a just citizen is expected to be law abiding. But a lager percentage of Nigerians breaks the law. A just citizen is expected to perform his or her duties in terms of tax payment, electricity bill payment, renewal of vehicles’ documents, etc.

Unexpectedly, Nigerians are known for waving their duties by their refusal to obtain or renew the necessary documents. Most Nigerians have been nabbed and prosecuted for falsification of documents both at home and abroad. The unjust nature of Nigerian citizens is evident in our refusal to demonstrate our civic right in the area of voting to put the right people in position of power, for a better future. I am using this medium to admonish Nigerians that are yet to collect their permanent voter card to take pains to get it and demonstrate their political right in 2019 as just citizens of Nigeria.

• Akintola, David Akinjide (Ph.D.)

akinjide17@gmail.com