Humour as Veritable Instrument for Sustainable Development in a Chaotic Society: Nigeria Example

Abstract

Language is a tool in the hands of human beings. It can be used to create and re-create different contexts and situations. Language can serve as a tool for making a bad situation becomes a good one and a good situation to become bad. In the past few years in Nigeria, a lot of conspiracies abound concerning the happenings around, from killings, maiming, kidnapping, raping to other social vices. All these have represented using language. From these happenings some concepts such as Herdsmen, Boko Haram, IPOB, Unkwown Gunmen and so on have come into existence. Also, humans have been living in much fear and tension. Most people have lost their lives because of fear of the unknown. Language being a two edged sword can be used to put smile on people’s faces and help to reduce tensions and conflicts created by these ugly situations in Nigeria. To do a proper analysis of this work, Whatsapp humorous messages were selected and analysed and recorded. A psychological theory known as Relief or Tension Release Theory propounded by Lord Shaftesbury (1709) is used for this work. At the end of the analysis it was observed by the researchers that humour, laughter and smile are instruments for the release of tension built up by fear or false expectations. The researchers therefore recommend that humans should learn to be humorous so that they will not fall prey to conspiracy theories that can lead to untimely death and therefore hamper sustainability.