OUR Weekend Pointer guest is Dr. Joseph Danley, well travelled and a teacher on moral decadence. He runs an NGO, Foundation for Correction of Moral Decadence (FCMD). He spoke on this social malaise, its causes and solutions, among sundry issues. Happy reading…
Tell us briefly about yourself?
I’m the National President, Foundation for Correction of Moral Decadence (FCMD). I was born and brought up in Kano State, but a native of Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
During my youthful days, I was into computer and software gadgets and I was a teacher until I relocated to the United States of America (USA) for further studies search for greener pastures.
What led you to establish a foundation on moral decadence?
FCMD was founded to assist people in Africa coming to the United States, particularly Nigerians. So, what we did back then was to guide people who were new in the US about the laws. I moved back to Nigeria and started afresh in Delta State, then Abuja.
What did you set out to achieve?
The name speaks for itself, it is for the correction of moral decadence and all the decay in society and sundry ills. We abandoned the good old norms and stopped abiding by them. How we used to live for one another and performed our moral responsibilities became a thing of the past.
How did we plunge into this level of moral decay?
FCMD was able to identify these fundamental reasons. Not having the fear of God, love lost among ourselves, that is we don’t love ourselves like we used to do, lack of patriotism towards the country and this is a complete truism; lack of good parental upbringin, poverty and the get-rich-quick syndrome, among other ills. In Nigeria, we find people who might be deeply religious, worshiping fervently in churches and mosques, but the moment they step out of the holy grounds, turn to completely different people.Hence, our behaviour towards one other has to change. So, from our dear President, Bola Tinubu to the least person, we all need a moral re-orientation.
What changes has FCMD brought to society?
Our journey is ongoing, from Delta to Abuja and other parts of the country, where we target members of the public and professionals like doctors, nurses, teachers, political leaders, journalists, the armed forces, paramilitary services, among others. So, we are redirecting the mindset of our people and youths, particularly those travelling out of the country, to be good ambassadors of our dear country and continent. Also, we have been able to re-awaken the consciousness of our people to embrace better habits, indicating that we are good people and should not be in the bad books of foreign authorities, but be hardworking and honest.
Presently, we are working hand in hand with the Inspector-General of Police to see how we can give better orientation to policemen. We have flagged it off in Kogi State and moved to Niger State. We have touched Kaduna and Kano states and recently, we were in Benue State, but of course, the programme will be a gradual process, so very soon, we will get to Delta State and other parts of the country.
FCMD held a seminar in Benue State recently, was it for the same purpose?
Yes, we held an attitudinal change lecture for the officers of Benue State Police Command, which mostly emphasized the positive attitudes and other guidelines on how to achieve excellence, maintain good relationships and interactions with the public, carry out effective policing and uphold professionalism.
We also have books on “Attidudinal change which is a good resource for the betterment of the officers and society. We highlighted the fear of God and the love of humanity, among others. This is to ensure essential values for professionalism in the force.
Do you have any message for Nigerians?
Yes, our country is far too blessed to be disorganized, so we have to restructure our mindsets towards fruitful results for the overall growth of our country.
My message to the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu, is to embrace re-orientation programmes for our people, our leaders must be a reference point for youths, we must change poor attitudes, while governments at all levels should ensure better services for our people. It is highly imperative for all in this wonderful and blessed nation of ours to change the narrative. A leadership problem persists because the home,school and religious centres are no longer good agents of socialization.
Therefore, we must embark on a moral re-armament.The National Orientation Agency (NOA) should put in more efforts in mass mobilization for social change.
If we do this, we will be in a better position as a country. There will be love amongst us and progress if we begin to discharge our civic responsibilities with all sincerity it deserves. Our religious bodies should teach love, truth and be seen to be setting good examples. As it was in the past, they should serve as foundation for moral probity in society.
But it is our collective responsibility as Nigerians to improve on our morality. With this, Nigeria will be a great country again and justice and peace will flourish.
