Collective responsibility is a concept or doctrine, according to which individuals are to be held responsible for other people's actions by tolerating, ignoring, or harbouring them, without actively collaborating in these actions.
God save Nigeria
Collective responsibility is about being responsible to oneself, and for the actions or inactions of others. You are part of a society for a reason. If you live in isolation, the tendency for a short, hard and insecure life is high. On the other hand, being part of a social grouping (political, national, religious, or otherwise) guarantees some form of protection, as safety is more assured in a crowd. However, whole civilizations have been known to perish without trace. This makes one wonder: Could they not have had safety in their number?
God help Nigeria
A common trait in ALL great and sustained cultures is ACTIVE inclusion in collective reasoning, decision-making, and activities. Discipline is one key ingredient for the effectiveness of such inclusion. Societies evolved into kingdoms and empires on the strength of disciplined and diligent application of oneself for the benefit of all members of the group. Remember the story about the work assigned to Mr. Somebody:
“Somebody was asked to do the work, but Nobody did it. Anybody could have done the work, which Somebody refused to do, for the benefit of Everybody. Since Nobody did the work, which Anybody could have done, Everybody suffered for what Anybody could have done, but Nobody did. The same work that Somebody was asked to do!”
Nigeria is great
We are ALL responsible for our actions, and our reactions to the actions of others in our society. The implications of other people’s actions will affect everyone. Nigeria boasts a population of about 160 million people. Less than 1 percent of this population push illicit drugs and commit Internet frauds. Yet, every Nigerian is singled out at most international airports in Western Europe and the Americas for special searches! We are guilty by association, because we have not done enough to stamp out such illegal activities in our society.
I am Nigeria
When a cart full of goods is to be pushed up-hill to benefit the town on the hill, everyone that pushes the cart does so for his benefit, but also for that of others. These are the ACTIVE members. Some folks may stand aside for any reason (we will always find an excuse for our actions or inactions). These are the PASSIVE members. Some others may be threatened by the development, and begin to throw stones to hinder the progress of the cart-pushers. These are the DETRACTORS. The so-called “enemies of collective progress”. When processes fail, it is because somebody has failed to do his/her part of the work. Most detractors benefit selfishly from lack of order and progress. Do you think a generator importer will ever pray for uninterrupted and sustained power supply? Or, the long haulage vehicle owner, who controls movement of large goods inter-state, will ever appreciate the improvement of the national rail system that will allow for easy and cheaper movement of goods, using only one train engine to pull about 10 to 15 carriages and coaches? By extension, why do you expect a legislator who got into office by rigging elections, or by profiting from a porous electoral system, to legislate for electoral reforms!?!
I am Nigerian and Proud
The solution to Nigeria’s underdevelopment lies in us. The detractor gains from impeding progress. On the other hand, the passive member gains nothing, and tends to complain the most. Usually, he/she hides behind a cloak of helplessness. “I am too weak”, “We are too few”, “They have weapons to harm us”, “I am alone against them”, “I am afraid”. Reality shows that when the active members keep trying and failing (usually because the passive ones do not help, or end up joining the detractors), they also lose hope and become passive. At this point, the survival of socio-cultural standards, and the future of the society is doomed!
Nigerian by choice
Collective responsibility imposes a moral obligation on us to be responsive to the need to change a bad system, question actions and motives, demand accountability, and improve on processes that already work. The Active member is moral, the Detractor is immoral, but the Passive is amoral (lacking any moral values at all). Eventually, the passive members are those in society who sing the song: “If you can’t beat them (the detractors), join them”.
Great Nigeria
Who are you on your street, and in your community? Active, Passive, or a Detractor? Change is possible. Positive change is desirable.
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