Can We Change Our Society?

Every society, at some point in time, reaches a moment of reflection — a time to pause and look back at its beginnings, assess where it stands today, and ask where it is heading. For us, that moment is now. We are standing at a critical crossroads. We witness, with quiet concern, the fading of our culture, the erosion of our values, and the emergence of attitudes that threaten the core of our identity. This is not a distant threat—it is something we see every day, in our homes, our schools, our churches, our communities, and even within ourselves.

Losing Our Cultural Roots

There was a time when our traditions, language, attire, and community values were a source of strength and pride. Today, those roots are slowly being forgotten. In our pursuit of modernity, we have begun to imitate foreign cultures without fully understanding our own. We speak languages from across the world, but we are losing the ability to teach our children our mother tongue. We proudly wear modern fashion but struggle to explain the symbols in our traditional attire or how to properly drape our tribal shawls. We learn to use chopsticks, but do we know how to use our machete or weave our traditional cloth? Culture is more than rituals or costumes—it is our story, our foundation, our identity. Without it, we are like trees without roots: easily swayed, easily forgotten. The irony is that tourists travel great distances to discover our culture, while many of us fail to recognize its beauty right here at home.

If we truly wish to adopt new ideas, let us first learn, honour, and preserve our own. Our parents and grandparents may be the last bearers of this knowledge. Let us listen to them, learn from them, and pass it on to the next generation—before it's too late.

The Role of the Church

In recent years, even the sanctity of the church has slowly become entangled in a quiet competition—over size, funding, and fame. Churches are built larger and grander, but unity among believers often lags behind. Programmes are held in abundance, but the spirit of humility sometimes fades in the pursuit of recognition. Let us remember 1 Samuel 16:7, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” And again in Matthew 6:1, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.” The church is a house of worship, not a stage for status. True faith is not in the number of events we attend, nor in how much we donate. It lies in a humble heart and a united community. When contributions are read aloud with names and amounts, it can unintentionally create pressure or embarrassment, especially for those who give from little. Let us remember Jesus’ teaching: “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (Matthew 6:3)

Let the church return to its purpose: a place of equality, worship, compassion, and unity.

Corruption, Unemployment, and Development — A Shared Responsibility

We often blame the government for corruption, unemployment, and lack of development. But have we ever paused to ask ourselves: what role do we, as citizens, play? Votes are bought and sold. Promises are made and quickly forgotten. For many government jobs, backdoor appointments have become the norm—where money speaks louder than merit. How can we expect clean governance if we ourselves are not honest during elections? Development, too, faces obstacles. We demand roads and infrastructure, yet refuse to give land or create space. Compensation is paid, yet construction is blocked in the hopes of extracting more money. These actions delay progress and push away investors and industries who fear interference. The presence of multiple insurgent groups and the collection of unauthorised taxes further discourages development. Business owners pass these costs onto the public, creating a cycle of hardship that hurts the very people these groups claim to represent.

Real change begins when citizens take ownership. Let us stop the blame game and instead commit to being part of the solution.

Implementation of Laws

Laws are meant to protect and guide us, but many are enforced only when pressure arises. For instance, the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is sometimes strictly checked, then forgotten. Liquor prohibition laws exist, yet alcohol is openly sold under the guise of other products. Such selective enforcement undermines the credibility of the law and those entrusted to uphold it. When colonies and local organisations begin to take initiative—checking shops and imposing fines—it shows that the power to change lies not only in the hands of the government, but with the people as well.

Changing Social Structure and Identity

Illegal immigration and shifting social practices have led to a quiet transformation of our society. We find ourselves becoming minorities in our own land. The values and boundaries once held sacred are slowly blurring. Religious practices, too, are changing. Participation in festivals once avoided is now common. The Bible warns in Exodus 23:24, “Do not follow their practices...” and in Deuteronomy 28:43-44, “The foreigners who reside among you will rise above you... you will become the tail.” These are not just scriptures—they are reminders of what happens when a society drifts from its moral compass. Unity and brotherhood should not be mere slogans. They must be lived through shared values, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to protect what is ours—not through control or domination by external influences.

A Call to Awaken

Our society is changing—whether we like it or not. But the direction of that change depends on us. We cannot stop time, nor should we resist progress. But we must find a balance where we carry our identity forward even as we embrace the future. Let us revive our languages, honor our traditions, and celebrate our faith in a way that is humble and true. Let us act responsibly as citizens—not only in words but in deeds. Let us not wait for change to come from above. Let it begin with us—in our hearts, our homes, our decisions. This article is not written to condemn, but to awaken. We are not perfect—but we can choose to do better. Together, we can build a society rooted in truth, justice, humility, and unity. The choice is ours.

We cannot wait for change —we must become the change.

Chibemo Ezung

MA IR 4th semester

NECU