Omoregbe (1979) defined ethnics as a branch of philosophy which studies the norms of human behavior.
From the above definitions one can understand that ethnics are concerned with what 1s right and wrong, good and bad. The aim of ethnics is not to describe the way men do behave in practice, but state the way men ought to behave and the conduct to which human action ought to conform.
The main purpose of ethnics is to provide codes of moral behavior for the smooth running and survival of the Society.
INDISCIPLINE IN THE NATION
Indiscipline is the absence of self-control, character of underlines and efficiency. In Nigeria, indiscipline has assume many forms including the general behavior of Nigerians of refusing to obey even simple procedures such as queuing to enter buses or buy petrol or lack of concern for the weak and others in trouble, impatience, wanton disregard for rules and regulations, widespread social ills such as greed, jealously, envy, alcoholism, drug abuse, Juvenile delinquency, prostitution, idleness, begging, etc.
One of the greatest forms of indiscipline in Nigeria is corruption. Corruption which is the misapplication of public funds to private ends has pervaded all strata of society from the highest levels of the political and business elites to the ordinary person in the village.
TYPES OF INDISCIPLINE
- Political indiscipline: This takes the form of political vendetta, abuse of office, gerrymandering, election rigging etc.
- Educational indiscipline: In our educational institution, indiscipline is manifested inform of examination malpractices such as cheating, leakage of questions, alteration of marks, etc.
- Economic indiscipline: This is perhaps the commonest it manifest itself in hoarding of goods, over invoicing, inflated contracts, giving and receiving bribes, currency trafficking, embezzlement, fraud misappropriation of public funds, etc.
- Social indiscipline: This can be exhibited by gate crashing art parties, ostentations lifestyle, “spraying” at parties, adultery prostitution, fornication, blackmailing, drug trafficking, disrespect for elders, etc.
CAUSES OF INDISCIPLINE
- The first cause of indiscipline in Nigeria is our Leaders their who are supposed to show exemplary life in their life in respected positions are just as culpable in these glaring moral lapses. Under such a situation, it is not possible for the leaders to check corruption or inculcate discipline in the society.
- Another cause of indiscipline is that parents have is parents have abandoned their role of molding the character of their children as both the father and mother now often have to engage in work to pursue their individual professions or trade to make ends meet.
- The extended family system practiced in Nigeria is another cause of indiscipline in the country. Extended family is one in which one is obligated to his brothers, sisters, in-laws, parents, uncles, etc. A civil or public servant in Nigeria has responsibilities towards many relatives. In an effort to meet his responsibilities and obligations he finds out that his salary is insufficient. He is, therefore tempted to perpetuate fraud, indulge in corrupt misappropriation, etc to meet to meet his ever increasing financial responsibilities.
- Societal expectation and approval of moral laxity and corruption is another cause of indiscipline. The Nigerian society not only holds a man who come by his health through dubious means in high esteem, he is equally accorded respect and honor more often than not, given chieftaincy title. Many practices such embezzlement, as
- Wrong value system is also a cause of indiscipline. In our present society, honestly appear not to be the best policy of some people and the youths are becoming increasingly difficult to convince this age long virtue. Falsehood has almost because a useful language of business transaction
- Ostentation and poverty is another cause of indiscipline in Nigeria. The Ostentation life-style exhibited by some Nigerians to show off their ill-gotten wealth and to enslave others particularly the poor is another cause of indiscipline. Some wealth are brazenly displayed to the chagrin of many who therefore result to drug trafficking fraud, impersonation and other form of indiscipline to catch-up with their colleagues or friends who have arrived”.
CONSEQUENCES OF INDISCIPLINE
- Lawlessness: Indiscipline has led to lawlessness at various times in Nigeria such as in 1983 after the general elections where massively rigged and result falsified.
In 1993 when innocent souls lost their lives in Lagos as a result of the mass protect following the annulment of June 12th 1993 presidential election by Gen Ibrahim Babangida.
- Indiscipline breeds indolence, apathy to government work, coruption, etc. Instead of Nigerians involving themselves in productive ventures, they rather indulge in vices and undermine the development and growth of the country.
- Indiscipline has led to poor standard of living of Nigerian. Moral laxity of Nigerians occupying public offices and the bad leadership displayed in the management of the nation’s resources, prices of goods gone beyond the reach of average Nigerians and essential services such as water, electricity, transportation have and become erratic.
- Indiscipline has also caused social problems in Nigeria as indiscipline increase, the cases of social problems include: delinquency, escalating crimes, dishonestly, currency trafficking, etc.
- One of the consequences of indiscipline in Nigeria is drug addiction, prostitution,
juvenile stress and frustration inflation, poverty, irregular salaries to affecting majority of the masses have led to psychological problems such as stress and frustration which have equally resulted to suicide, mental problems, depression, etc.
Methods used by public agencies in the control of indiscipline in Nigeria
One of the public agencies used in the control of indiscipline in Nigeria is the Gen Obasanjo’s Jaji declaration which was aimed at arresting the problem of indiscipline particularly among the wealthy class. Shagari’s Ethical Revolution not different from Jaji Revolution and Buhari/Idiagbon’s War against Indiscipline.
The Babangida in his effort to reinforce the need for high standard of moral life in the society introduced the programme called Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, sSocial Justice and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) The Abacha administration in it’s attempt to restore discipline in Nigeria launched the War Against Indiscipline and Corruption (WAI-C).
In the forth republic, the govenment of chief Obansanjo (1999-2007) set up two institution to check corruption practices commission (EFCC)
Individuals, religious bodies like churches, mosques also assist government in restoration of moral standard in the country.
The civil service commission and other government parastatals also help in controlling indiscipline through the following means:-
- Issuance of queries to officers involved in acts such as lateness, absenteeism, fraud, etc.
- Suspension: This is when allegations are raised against any staff for corruption and to allow any uninterrupted investigations, the staff is suspended.
- Another method is weaning, retirement, termination and dismissal of staff found wanting
- Serious of Indiscipline such fraud, cases as embezzlement, etc may after some time be arraigned before the court of law.
HOW CITIZENS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTROL OF INDISCIPLINE
- Citizens should be faithful to the law of the land and keep within the bounds of the law in their daily obligation.
- Dubious characters and those that we feel are living above their means should be reported to the police
- Control of indiscipline by individuals should start from living the family, which is the most vital social institution in shaping the character and personality of the individuals who come to lodge complaints will be turned to defendants
- Traditional rulers should not give chieftaincy tittles to any leader who is corrupt or has embezzled public fund.
THE NEED TO MAINTAIN THE RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS PUBLIC PROPERTY
- Longevity
- Comfort
- Maintenance of government property gives government a
- kind of assurance and encouragement to acquire new
- Where infrastructure such as road networks, electricity, pipe-borne water, etc are maintained, it enhance the development of neighboring areas.
- When we maintain public property, we are investing for posterity or future generation.