Perhaps made more prominent by the proficiency of international news networks, chaos, disorder and turmoil perfectly describe the world we live in today. Though, it can be argued that travails are natural to human existence and, as such, these upheavals across the world are not necessarily novelties. Quite true! Yet, the frequency with which and magnitude of which news about these occurrences reaches us often raises fear and anxiety for the future of mankind.

The Holocaust and atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were deeply gruesome events, but 9/11, by all means, introduced a more frightening dimension to human induced disasters. Ten years after that sad September day, the gory pictures of the crashing Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre still remain horrifying. Still the world has not had it any easier even in 2011. From the beginning of the year, it has been one major disaster after another. It may, however, be appropriate and for the sake of clarity, to differentiate between natural disasters and man-made ones. For the most part, we may not be able to stop nature’s wrath but the fact that we are daily improving on our ability to predict them ahead of time and by that prevent casualties is gratifying.

However, man-made disasters are strictly within our control and it is rather unfortunate that we have continued to allow them happen as often as they do and as much as we have had them in 2011.

Starting from Tunisia and then on to Egypt, Yemen, Libya and Syria, the Arab Spring sweeping North Africa and the Middle East has recorded wanton destruction of lives in its wake. Terrorist attacks have also continued unabated, with the Norway shootings signposting the height of man’s inhumanity to man. It is certain that and not in doubt, the world needs a fresh breath of peace and sanity and achieving this can only be through a global and collective effort.

Back home, rather sadly Nigeria has suddenly woken up to the stark reality of terrorism. Yes, violence and crime have always occurred and successive governments have continued in their efforts to reduce crime rates, but the recent terrorist attacks have opened a new vista in our national life threatening to slow down our march to greatness.

It is regrettable that after over 50 years of nationhood, we still focus more on our differences than the unique things that unite us. Religious fanaticism and ethnic nationalism still pervade the land, fanning embers of discord and violent attacks on one another. Our failure to decisively address these problems early enough is responsible for the travails and chaos we now face as a nation.

We watched as agitation in the Niger Delta turned into restiveness, kidnapping and destruction of oil production facilities. The senseless massacre in Jos, Plateau State has continued in a manner portending extinction for the once serene, beautiful and exciting city. As if these were not trouble enough, a spate of terrorist attacks in the form of bombings across the country leading to loss of innocent lives heightened with the 2010 Independence Day celebration attacks and has now gone on to garb the country in disrepute internationally with the ridiculous attack on the United Nations’ building in Abuja, the nation’s capital. As described earlier, this chaotic experience is a global phenomenon and not exclusive to any particular country or region of the world. It would therefore mean that the world must unite to address this ugly trend before humanity goes into extinction. Still each country will have to work on its own internal issues, even if it will require support from allies.

Instructively, it is pertinent for us to understand that order can only be imposed on chaos through policy, method and custom. We have set a big goal for ourselves to join the league of the world’s most developed economies by 2020. This vision cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of strife and friction. As the defining feature of the state, it behooves on the Federal Government to lead the nation in the fight towards eliminating this new demon threatening to derail our collective vision in a tactical and holistic manner.

We must articulate the appropriate policies that will address the fundamental problems underlying this chaos. For instance, we must identify strategies that will immediately create jobs for our teeming youths so they will no longer be ready tools for causing mayhem and destruction. We must also be methodical by understanding issues peculiar to different parts of the country and promoting development based on each region’s specific potentials. And lastly, we need to encourage a custom of values, with the Federal Government and other important state institutions leading by example.

Transparency, accountability and integrity are important ingredients for evolving a fair, just and peaceful society.

Ultimately, what all this comes to is that we must revolutionise our perspectives and approach to achieve better outcomes. In his book “The World is Flat” Thomas L Friedman enthused, “Change is hardest on those who have difficulty changing too. But change is natural; change is not new; change is important.” Indeed, our quest for order, peace and progress can only be achieved if we change from those practices that have encouraged chaos and strife within the polity. After all, common sense teaches that you cannot do the same thing repeatedly and expect new results. Now is the time for a positive paradigm shift!

We at the Honeywell Group rejoice with the Federal Government and all Nigerians on the auspicious occasion of our 51st Independence Anniversary.

LET US PRAY

Dear God, we are again grateful for the milestone of our nation’s 51st Independence Anniversary. But our hearts are heavy, burdened by a new wave of violence now threatening our existence and progress as a nation. We therefore beseech Thee, o Lord, to let Your wind of peace blow across our land. Inspire our leaders to do that which is right and help us, the people, to resist temptations of vices and immorality, that our land may be peaceful and delightful in Your glory.

Honeywell Group