In recent years, there has been so much talk about Integrity and attribution of this concept to activities and actions that represent the direct opposite of what Integrity really is. Sometimes one even wonders if the concept of Integrity now has another definition or is it a case of deception now appearing as ‘’Truth’’? Could we say it is a case a one-eyed man becoming the King in the land of men with self-induced blindness? Or could it be that the sense of moral decency and uprightness has been displaced? Whatever be the case, it is crystal clear that there are indeed misrepresentations of what this virtue truly is.

Don’t get it twisted; Integrity is not a relative term, just as upholding a prolonged lie does not change the true nomenclature of a lie. Integrity is the Strength of your Character – the actual reflection of the You in You. Integrity is a product of your ethical values which is expected to conform to the value system of the society depending on the driving force. In the case of Nigeria, that would be hinged on the predominant religions. Integrity exudes self-dignity and makes you take responsibility for the outcome of your actions regardless of how things turn out. Integrity does not buy into quick fixes; it rather makes you visionary and acts thus, so that you would be accountable and also show confidence when the stock gets taken. Integrity is not measured by physical attributes or appearance rather a matching of your words with commensurate actions. Integrity is not always pleasurable but exemplarily, would always make you the last man standing. It comes with a price and your willingness to make the needed sacrifice for what is truly right and just is why Integrity is a rare ethicality because not everyone is able to keep it together in the face of a true test of Integrity.

Today, we celebrate mediocrity because many people are ‘successful’ even though they drive on the wheels of mediocrity. Such successes are often not achieved on the platform of merit but of nepotism, selfishness and tribal sentiments. Nonetheless, that more people have compromised on Integrity or never even had it, does not displace the place of Integrity even in the development of a nation. There is no gainsaying in the fact that it is only when people of genuine (not assumed) Integrity are found in leadership positions that a visible difference becomes a reality. By implication, if as a leader in whatever capacity, your tenure of leadership was characterized with contradictory representations and activities, ineptitude and retrogression or any other visible unproductive variables, these are clear indications you lack the capacity and character needed for such leadership commitment. A display of Integrity in such circumstance would be to gracefully resign from such office or position as the most honourable thing to do. That is when you qualify to be regarded as a man or woman of honour. In this part of the world, it is being said that people do not retire or resign from their jobs especially when they work in the public sector often because of monetary benefits. Obviously, Integrity has eluded them or means nothing to them. Treading the path of honour where and when necessary might be alien to many, but in other climes, people resign from positions of authority when it is the most honourable thing to do. Let’s learn so that we can become a progressive people.

In Nigeria, it appears everything has been politicized even areas of our nationality that should not be compromised are being compromised including leadership and governance. We have successfully replaced collective interest with selfish personal and political party interests. Such a disposition will always ruin the pervasiveness of the nation’s growth and development. Remember, Integrity is not Integrity until it is tested by fire. You really cannot give what you do not have and the promotion of a mediocre society will distort the growth of the nation Nigeria may never join the league of all-around progressive nations of the world until Nigerians especially the young generation stand for what is truly true. The only thing that lasts is Truth.

When you are a man of character, it reflects in everything about you. In your relationships with other people around you, in the workplace and indeed in society at large. The role of the family and schools in the moral uprightness of the young ones remain key and non-negotiable – must be top-notch. The future can only be saved when the true leaders of tomorrow have the right values imparted and they toe the line.

In addition, whatever is worth doing at all is worth being done well. You can indeed change the world, change Nigeria, change those around you but that will not happen until you have successfully changed yourself. So? Begin with yourself.

Whichwaynaija believes the way forward is to always do the right thing even when no one is there to watch you. Always stand for integrity regardless of whose ox is gored. Integrity is not a show of deception; rather, it is the matching of your words with the needed actions. You are really not who you say or think you are when what you do communicates otherwise.

http://whichwaynaija.com/2019/02/06/is-integrity-now-a-big-deal/