Social objectives

Continued from last week

IN other words, henceforth, gentle and persuasive instruction in personal and social hygiene by health officers will take the place of terror, intimidation, and wanton prosecution, on the part of sanitary inspectors.

When all these have been done, the cost of providing curative health sectors will be considerably reduced. In any case, I stand by what I have advocated in Thoughts on Nigerian Constitution and The People’s Republic that these services should be free to all.

In the fifth place, complete social well-being for Nigerians, and for any human beings for that matter, depends on how and what they think, and what they says and do.  The fountain of one’s utterances and actions is his thought, or state of mind.  A man who thinks fear, hatred, selfishness, envy, and other such-like negative emotions will speak and act differently—very differently—from another who thinks courage, love, altruism, emulation, and other such-like positive emotions. While the words and actions of those who entertain positive and constructive thoughts and emotion will bring about social well-being for themselves and their neighbours, the utterances and doings of those who entertain negative thoughts and emotions can only result in social discomfort and disharmony for themselves and their neighbours.

It is the bounden duty of the Government, therefore, to make comprehensive plans for the education and guidance of every citizen in thinking and entertaining constructive thoughts and emotions.  This is a titanic undertaking. And because  the so-called civilised countries of the world have not succeeded in this all-important venture, this is no reason why we should refrain from embarking on it.

In the sixth place, since no health services can succeed without the active direction and participation of those trained and experienced in medical science, it is imperative that the Government should introduce schemes for the training of Nigerian doctors in large numbers. If we have the will to do so, and lay our plans to that effect, within the 15 years set for it, provided we adopt the educational policy discussed in detail in this Chapter and in Appendix I

6. Comprehensive social Insurance Scheme, etc.

These objectives speak for themselves and require no comment. It officers would take the place of the dreaded and sometimes notorious however, necessary to make two brief observations.

Firstly, it is clear that the introduction of a comprehensive and compulsory social insurance scheme would place all employed and self-employed persons in the same category, in so far as the payment of retirement or old age pension, and relief for sickness, is concerned.

Secondly, in order to introduce these objectives by 1974, a team of experts would have to be appointed to study the problems involved and to recommend appropritate solutions for consideration by the Federal Government, and adoption by both the public and private sectors.

7. Encouragement of Art and Culture, and of Sports and Athletics

This objective also speaks for itself. But there are three brief observations which I would like to make merely for emphasis.

Firstly, it is now generally acknowledged that the success of a country or its nationals, at international sports and athletics meetings,is an event of great significance to the kudos of that country in world affairs. Secondly, there are certain sterling attributes whihc are more quickly and more effectively cultivated in the fields of sports and athletics than elsewhere. They are: sportsmanship; team spirit; unselfishness; physical fitness; emulation; and labouring for the glory of labour and of the fatherland, and not for the advancement of any personal self-interest.

For these reasons, it is in the national interest that the Governments of the Federal of Nigeria should studiedly encourage sports and athletics, by making substantial and adequate financial endowments to all recognized sports and athletics councils throughout the country, to enable them to conduct the necessary training, and send teams to international sports and athletics meetings, without any difficulty or going a-begging. To facilitate training, the Governments should, in some cases, build stadiums and gymnasiums; and, in others, give• grants to local communities to aid them in their efforts to erect additional stadiums and gymnasiums.

Thirdly, art and culture, to my mind, are the tap-roots of any society. If they die or decay, the society concerned would have to develop parasitic characteristics in order to survive. The most healthy and most virile societies are those whose art and culture develop and grow with time. In the particular instance of Nigeria, the development and diffusion of our traditional arts and cultures are among the means for national strength and cohesion. They should, therefore, be encouraged in a big way, and sufficient funds to this end-for the festivals of the arts throughout the country-should always be provided.

To be continued