Olabisi Akande
Lately, I have found myself reflecting deeply on the state of our nation. Beyond the challenges we face, I am becoming increasingly concerned about something even more fundamental—the gradual erosion of the values that once held our society together.
Please don’t get me wrong. Disagreement is healthy. Constructive criticism is necessary. Holding leaders and institutions accountable is important. Progress is impossible without honest conversations.
However, there is a difference between speaking the truth and speaking with contempt.
Growing up, we were taught to respect others, especially our elders. We were taught to verify facts before making accusations. We were taught to engage issues with wisdom, restraint and responsibility. Respect was never seen as weakness; it was regarded as a sign of good character.
Today, it often seems that outrage travels faster than truth. Many people form opinions before checking the facts, share information before verifying it, and attack personalities rather than addressing issues. In the process, we risk losing the very values that make meaningful dialogue and lasting progress possible.
We must learn to disagree without being disrespectful. We must challenge wrongs without abandoning civility. We must seek truth before taking sides. And beyond criticism, we must commit ourselves to being part of the solution.
The future of any nation is not built only by its leaders; it is built by the values of its citizens. If we lose our values, we will struggle to sustain any progress we achieve.
Let us be a generation that speaks with courage, acts with wisdom, respects others, verifies facts, and pursues solutions.
Character matters. Values matter. Truth matters.
“A society does not collapse first because of failing institutions; it begins to decline when its values are no longer valued.”
What values do you think our society needs to recover most urgently?
