A university don, Prof. Onyekachukwu Ndubuisi says an understanding and adoption of philosophical measures by Nigeria’s political class to begin to address the problems of religious, political, ethnic and tribal bias in the governance of the country.
This is a sure way to move the nation forward.
Prof. Ndubuisi gave the position in his inaugural lecture at the 3rd Inaugural Lecture of Tansian University at the Law Faculty Hall of Umunya Permanent Site of the university.
Ndubuisi, who is the Head of Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Tansian University, Anambra state, observed that religious, political, ethnic and tribal affiliations have been so acknowledged and employed in the nation’s administration, resulting in serious setback on many fronts.
Acording to him, the application of such affiliations by the political leaders, without philosophical inclinations has done the country more harm than good.
He insisted that if our leaders can apply the understanding of philosophy as an activity in criticality, things will be much better in Nigeria.
In the lecture entitled: “Humanism, the Paranormals and the African in a changing world: Implications for the contemporary Nigerian society”, Prof Ndubuisi said; “Philosophy is an activity people undertake when they seek to understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world in which they live, and their relationships to the world and to each other.
“On the other hand, Paranormal is a claim to know something above or beyond the normal.
“The general manifest signs of paranormal beliefs as those experiences that pertain to ghosts, extraterrestrial life, extrasensory perception, ESP, unidentified flying objects, UFOs, telepathy, faith healing, clairvoyance and other related subjects which has to do with superhuman or supernatural beliefs which have to do with levitation, astrology and spiritualism.
“Selected samples of paranormal beliefs and practices in Africa include beliefs in witchcraft, ritual killing/ritual money, divination, totemism, among others.
“These have both economic, social, political and health implications.
“In a country like Nigeria, with multi-faceted religious, ethnic and lingual diversities, an understanding of ourselves becomes very important, especially for our leaders.
“This will ensure that no ethnic or religious group will perceive the other as the problem, but rather provide some level of wisdom to achieve peaceful coexistence.”
In their remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Nwadialor and his Deputy, Prof. Charles Onochie eulogized Prof. Ndubuisi for his erudite lecture and urged him to maintain the quality standard throughout his career endeavours.
They also charged other would-be-professors to aspire to measure up with his quality.
