Harnessing Israelite and Yoruba Traditional Eldership Systems and Responsibilities for Moral Transformation in Nigeria

Abstract

There has been, in recent times, a considerable upsurge of moral laxity in Nigeria. It is not an exaggeration to say that moral rectitude is now becoming an elusive principle among Nigerian youths. Unfortunately, this dangerous trend is traceable to the deplorable behaviour of today’s adults whose attitude and social orientation amount to wanton disregard or abandonment of traditional norms and practices. The actions of many adults today display a preference for liberal and popular culture, especially those reflective of the pervasive individualism and technological excesses of the post-modern Western world. The deeds and manners of many adults today are frequently sacrilegious, aside from other anomalies associated with their lack of cultural consciousness, discipline, self-control, and a sense of responsibility and fairness. Today’s adults, generally speaking, appear to be bequeathing an immoral, misleading, and abysmally unstable foundation to Nigerian youths. Towards the reversal of the above undesirable trend, this paper examines the axiological nature of Israelites’ and Yoruba traditional moral systems and the altruistic philosophies of their systems of social organisation overseen by elders. In the two traditions, every elderly person was expected to possess the attributes or qualities of a true elder. Besides the virtues and endowment of wisdom and experience acquired along the journey of life, the restrain and wisdom of elders were relied upon to help, guide, control or curtail the exuberance of youths, thereby making the latter to imbibe and display socially acceptable character. This paper explores the implications of harnessing Israelite and traditional Yoruba eldership systems and responsibilities for moral transformation in Nigeria. Using historical-critical method, the paper recommends that moral laxity nowadays should be addressed from eldership perspectives; it should not be blamed on the youths but on the present generation of elders, since the youths are largely offshoots of the cultural and social systems handed down to them by elders.