NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL STUDIES, VOL.

24 (1) APRIL, 2021

VALUES AND VALUE SYSTEM AS PLATFORMS

FOR NATION-BUILDING

Sunday OBRO
Department of Social Science Education,
Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

Abstract
Values play significant roles, and they are of great
importance in nation-building because good values
position countries on the path to progress. The significance
of values and value systems to nation-building is that they
inspire orderliness, tolerance, credibility, diligence and
patriotism. Failure to imbibe positive values and value
system has currently brought Nigeria to her knees. The
critical implication is that if many Nigerian citizens truly
imbibe values, the numerous tragic happenings that have
bedevilled the nation would have been checked. In
addressing this concern, the paper looks at the concepts
of values, classification of values, sources of values and
value system, and concepts of value system. The paper
also touches concepts of nation-building, the relevance of
values to nation-building and values and value system as
platforms for nation-building. To reverse the trend, the
researcher suggested that there should be acceptable values
which all citizens will confirm to irrespective of ethnic
nationality and the pluralistic nature of the country;
socialisation and re-orientation agents should increase
their efforts in values inculcation and value system re-
orientation; Social Studies teachers should be trained on
 Values and Value System as Platforms... 65

teaching methods for good values and value system

building process.

Keywords: Values; Value System; Sources; Nation;

Nation-Building.

Introduction
From time long-established, the quest for values and positive value
system is a fundamental phenomenon that promotes growth and
development and good governance and blissful social life. This is
because values and value system plays a holistic role in nation-
building. For it serves as the foundation upon which the structure
of a genuinely moral or virtuous and egalitarian nation stands.
Before now, the home (family) remains the major source for the
development and re-orientation of values, followed up with the values
education given by schools and religious centres. The problem of
values and value system crisis has projected Nigeria as an open
society and nation in which anything goes. It suggests that Nigeria
is being retarded in many aspects due to lack of values and value
systems. The problem of decline in values and value system in Nigeria
is very alarming. It is not an overstatement that materialism and
inhuman actions reflect all facets of life in Nigeria and have invaded
traditional and cultural institutions (Njoku, 2015). Even religious
institutions appear to be more materialistic than the secular society.
This current situation has been incisively described by Osanakpo
(2015) that the rate of values and value system decadence, corruption
and inhuman molestations in Nigeria is not only frightening but
threatening the foundation and existence of the once peaceful
Nigeria society. No meaningful development and nation-building
according to can take place when societal values and value systems
are broken without remedy or resort. Dishonesty, wastefulness, social
injustice, disorderliness, and indiscipline give birth to banditry,
corruption, arm robbery, terrorism, kidnapping, sexual perversion,
rape, child and human trafficking, human rituals, cybercrime,
electoral fraud, and so on, which are negative values and value
system that can destroy a nation and send it to oblivion (Ikwumelu,
Mbang & Oyibe, 2015).
66 Sunday Obro

Values and positive value system are those fundamentals that society
and nation consider vital to its existence, sustenance and
advancement (Abubakar, 2014). Values are sets of norms of
behaviour that guide the people to do things that will result in joy,
harmony, satisfaction, and peace of mind in a community or society
(Njayarkulam, 2003). Values and value systems are like a compass.
They provide direction to people’s activities and lifestyles in a nation
and likewise, serve as tools that could be utilised to evaluate the
worth and level of growth and development of the people and nation.
For Ajero (2016), values are rudiments that provide distinctiveness,
changes and societal advancement to an individual and society.
Simply put, values are preferences, enduring qualities, beliefs, norms
and standards of behaviour that define and guide a people, their
conduct and attitude towards what is right or acceptable. Values
serve as broad guidelines in solving problems, taking decisions or
setting goals.
In addition, nation-building is the development of behaviours,
language, values, physical structures and institutions that explain
a nation’s history, culture, make real and protect the present, and
guarantee the future identity and freedom of a nation. It is a
deliberate, keenly directed and energetic prognosis of a nation’s
culture, philosophy and communal action to building a political,
social and economic system (Ahmed-Gamgum, 2014).
Nigeria as a nation has gone through and still going through
its share of value and value system laxity mostly as represented in
corruption in high and low places, electoral fraud and violence,
kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling, rape,
advanced fee fraud popularly called 419, increasing crime wave,
banditry, theft, robbery, terrorism, religious and ethnic violence,
insurgency, unemployment, militancy, injustice, ritual killings, etc.,
(Akpan & Okoro, 2018). In Nigeria, nation-building is seriously
challenged by the lack of values and value system. Consequently,
the nation is faced with the problem of nation-building, the bedrock
for the development of a nation.
Various regimes and administrations in Nigeria have come up
with multiple programmes for nation-building. All these programmes
were initiated to help restore values and value system. Still, no
 Values and Value System as Platforms... 67

significant result has been achieved. In other words, they barely

accomplished their goal. The blame is due to values and value system
in our society and nation. Falade and Falade (2013) opined that
there were series of values and value system re-orientation such as
National Orientation Agency, Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, Ethical Revolution, War Against Indiscipline, among
others. All is to remedy the problem of values and value system in
Nigeria. Njoku (2015) asserted that there was at no time a nation is
so tainted and spiritually bankrupt, as is evident in the events seen
in Nigeria daily. Thus, nation-building has been largely halted, and
the country should be saved from the verge of disintegration or
collapse. It is on this basis this paper discussed values as platforms
for nation-building in Nigeria.

Concepts of Values
The term ‘values’ is from the Latin word “valere” and the French
word “valoir” connoting ‘be worth’. The psychological and social
sciences define values as preferences or as desirable goals, emotions
and interests. In discussing the concept of values, several expressions
are seen; still, it is difficult to get a globally accepted definition and
conceptualisation, which is the case with many abstract concepts.
Some of such expressions attempting to define values see values as
general preferences in relation to appropriate undertakings or
outcomes (National Council of Educational Research and Training,
2014). Values, according to Gana (2002) are philosophical concepts,
varied in nature and debatable in content. Scholars differ on the
concept, classification, subjectivity/objectivity of values.
Notwithstanding its controversial nature, values are still extensively
acknowledged as a significant factor in humans’ undertakings. It is
believed to have the ability and propensity to influence and propel
one carrying out certain actions/activities while staying away from
others (Mohan, 2014).
Values are core elements in the concept and theory of choice.
They are as fundamental to man as wisdom; they determine what
is cherished/treasured or refused, accepted or rejected. Values are
rules by which one takes decisions relating to right or wrong, should
or should not, good or bad. Values are principles or standards of
68 Sunday Obro

behaviour. Njayarkulam (2003) opined that values are seen as a set

of norms of behaviour that guide the people to act in a manner that
promotes and results in joy, satisfaction, peace of mind, and harmony
among individuals and society. To be of value is to have a particular
virtue. The sense of value is an essential attribute of human
consciousness.
In a general way, the word ‘values’ expresses the qualitative
significance or importance of ideas, feelings, activities and
experiences (Quora, 2014). Values are immaterial but well
demonstrated as people interact with one another and with their
environment. Values are abstract across situational goals, diverging
in importance related to desirable end-states and influencing
selection or evaluation of actions and events. Values can be deûned
as how people perceive what is essential in their lives (Schwartz,
2012). They refer to desirable goals and are a guiding system for all
kinds of human behaviour. For Ajero (2016), values are fundamentals
that provide identity, transformation and progress to the individual
and whole society. Again, Osanakpo (2015) asserts that values are
beliefs or convictions that guide and direct a person’s behaviour,
purpose and vision.
Simply put, values connote acceptable standards, idea way of
doing things and living a virtuous life in society. Values cannot
function in a cultural and social vacuum or entity as it needs to
serve humanity.

General Classification of Values

In a broad spectrum, according to the National Council of
Educational Research and Training (2014), values could be classified
as personal, social, moral, spiritual and behavioural values.
Personal Values: denote those values which the individual cherish
and desire irrespective of his social relationship. The individual
defines his standards of attainment and accomplishes these goals
without direct interaction and involvement of others.
Social Values: are those values which focus on society. People
practised social values because of their relationship with other people.
 Values and Value System as Platforms... 69

Unlike personal values, they necessitate the interaction of two or

more people.
Moral Values: related to an individual’s character conforming to
what is right. They reveal a person’s self-control.
Spiritual Values: refer to ethical values. It arises from the inner depth
dimension of man. It confers the ability to see what is wrong and
the truth. It is like a key to the integration of man. Spiritual values
are an awareness of itself.
Behavioural Values: These are all the good manners that are needed
to make life successful, meaningful and joyous. They are exhibited
through one’s behaviour in his daily life. These values adorn life and
spread friendliness cordially.

Sources of Values and Value System

Life Experience: Numerous values originate out of the personal
experiences of the individual and those of others. Man always
determines what values they must follow to find happiness and fulfil
their destiny as human beings.
Cultural Background: Our values are usually grounded in the core
values of our culture, which reflect the culture’s orientation of beliefs
of child-rearing and social control, the attitude to take nature as
fatalistic or seeing it as a challenge to be conquered in the interest
of man’s comfort, the question whether man should live for the
present or the future, the kind of activity most valued; and the type
of interpersonal relationship whether it is competitive or cooperative.
Religious Background: The pursuit of true religion is also concerned
with values. Many fundamental values are common to all faiths.
Scientific background: It helps us make value judgments only to
the extent to which we relate it to value assumptions. New
information on the scientific front need not pose a threat even if it
involves a change in the current frame of reference.

Concept of Value System

Value Systems play an essential role in an individual’s life as they
determine or the behaviour of members of society. Value Systems
70 Sunday Obro

have been studied in distinct scientific areas, such as knowledge

management, sociology, economics and psychology. Scholars in
different disciplines established different concepts of value system,
based on their divergent suppositions about value. Value System
refers to prioritising the values that a person or society holds
(Kamakura & Novak, 2014).
Value systems are unbending beliefs and principles; they affect
an individual’s moral behaviour and are the foundations and sources
of intended activities or actions. A value system connotes a set of
unswerving values utilised for moral or philosophical integrity or
honesty. Their choices prove the ranking of values of all honest or
virtuous people possesses. The value system of a good number of
people differs. Thus, it is an individual concept. One’s virtues or
vices mould his or her value system (Psychology Wiki, 2020).
According to Ella (1992), a value system is a collection of
personal (individual) and social values; that is, the individual’s mind
and guides their day-to-day activities. It refers to the recognition,
structure, organisation and measurement of a set of values that
an individual creates, holds, exchange or gives for particular reasons.
A values system is established by three (3) significant
fundamentals: the value making objects, the attainment
measurement system/structure, and the moral values.

Concept of Nation-Building
The scope of the term nation-building is at present broadened to
include national and socio-political development, national
consciousness and integration. Adigun (2015) asserted that nation-
building is a logical process of making people from different ethnic,
tribe, socio-cultural, religious, racial or national backgrounds, have
a feeling of belonging in a nation. Nation-building according to
Adelaja (2015), is the effort made by the country leaders to advance
the nation progressively and permanently in the direction of self-
sufficiency and reliance, and development through tolerance,
commitment, quality leadership, orderliness, honesty, mutual respect
and discipline in national affairs. Reimer (2005) described nation-
building as a phenomenon intertwined with modernisation. Thus,
leaders’ intensive effort to bring people of different society together
 Values and Value System as Platforms... 71

to fashion an economically, viable, politically strong and socio-

culturally stable nation.
Nation-building is the process in which the people of a named
territory irrespective of their ethnic, religious, linguistic or tribal
differences; identify with the institutions and national symbols of
that state and share a collective sense of identity and destiny. Nation-
building is all about strengthening socio-political institutions to live
up to their responsibilities and make them work within the sphere
of morality and integrity (Gambari, 2008).

The Relevance of Values to Nation-Building

Nation-building involves the actions, behaviour, thoughts, and
feelings aimed at sustaining a nation’s aspiration and optimism.
Values provide a workable guide to serve as a check, an objective or
rule to be observed by all citizens as it concerns national
development. The importance of values and value system to nation-
building is that it encourages orderliness and good conduct: For
successful communal living resources will have to be shared,
individuals must appropriately tolerate turns, control positive and
negative excitement. This entails good behaviour, discipline, ability
to control one’s emotions, desires and impulses; it also requires
respect for people, institutions and authorities (Obasola, 2003).
Values ensure law and order needed for development and
nation-building because nothing goes on well when there is chaos,
indiscipline and disorder. It encourages credibility required to fight
against corruption in our nation. Credibility connotes having
integrity or being incorruptible, and this is termed integrity. Nation-
building without values on the part of leaders and followers is as
dangerous as sitting on a keg of gun powder. The ultimate end of
values is to make a nation prosperous. Adelaja, (2015), perceived
that one of the numerous reasons Nigeria is in state and verge of
collapse could be located within the ambit of lack of values and
value system. Values and value systems ensure equal distribution of
resources, opportunities and privileges, and social justice irrespective
of one’s status or background, thereby promoting nation-building.
Values and value system are the platform upon which nation-
building stands. This is because values encourage tolerance and
72 Sunday Obro

corporate co-existence. For a nation with diverse tribes, tongues,

and religions, like ours, values are the needed ingredients for
propelling such a nation to a greater height as concern for national
development.

Values and Value System as a Platform for Nation-Building

Nation-building defined in terms of values and value system has
been described as a normative concept which applies to the context
of people’s sense of values (right or wrong, good or bad), (Elakhe,
2014). Therefore, it is a fact that whatever is not generally accepted
as right or good in a particular society or nation cannot contribute
to the development of that nation. Suppose values and value systems
have to do with right and wrong, good and evil, acceptable and
unacceptable, etc, in that case, it, therefore, implies that individual
values and convictions are involved. These values and beliefs play a
critical role in determining human behaviour and thus, nation-
building.
A wide range of socio-cultural, economic and political lapses
according to Enu and Esu (2011) have been associated with failure
in the government and other institutions due to widespread of
ethical, values and value system hazard in private and public places,
institutional failure, and so on. Obasola (2015) opined that for the
intent of maintaining law and order which sequentially, will enhance
development and nation-building, values and value system are
treasured, and such values are standard the society holds in high
reverence. Conformity to these values and value systems,
undoubtedly, results in an organised and purpose-driven citizens
and society, which eventually brings the anticipated societal growth
and development in a nation. Values and value system are also the
instrument through which citizens of a nation grapple with the
necessities and rudiments of daily lives. The people cherish it,
treasured and practice it as members of society and citizens of a
nation, and serves as the centre or foundation for social, peaceful
co-existence, unity cum nation-building (Obasola, 2003). Therefore,
values and value system are those inherent or inborn qualities
present in every individual for the promotion and realisation of
 Values and Value System as Platforms... 73

peace, social order, unity and peaceful co-existence, which are the
ingredients for nation-building.
Consequently, values and value system are the platforms for
nation-building because they control the personal, social,
interpersonal interaction and relationship of people within a nation,
thus, creating and building the way for peace, harmony, unity,
integration, discipline, patriotism which are the harbingers of nation-
building. Therefore, nation-building will be incomplete without the
residue of values and value system. Values and value system are
tools for nation-building because they are catalysts and agents for
nation-building. Fundamentally, good values and value system
foundation are indispensable and unqualified elements for nation-
building. Nation-building efforts should begin with human capital
development. Human capital here implies the investment in values
and value system development and re-orientation of the citizens or
people. Values and value system development and re-orientation
are the most significant aspects of nation-building. Efforts for
nation-building cannot be actualised if a nation’s citizens lack the
needed values and value system. In a similar viewpoint, Adelaja
(2015) stated that a nation preoccupied with scientific development
without the consciousness of the development and sustenance of
values and value system must be fixing her rope of suicide. This
validates that the role of values and value system in nation-building
cannot be compromised or undermined. Therefore, importance
should be given to the acquisition and development of values and
value system in a nation rather than vague and abstract projections.
The imperative of values and value system as a platform for nation-
building is fundamental. There can be no advancement or progress
in a nation if values and value system is extracted from such a
nation. Therefore, without good values and value system foundation,
a nation socio-economic, political development cum nation-building
will be in chaos. Thus, for the realisation of national development
and nation-building, development must be related to values and
value system (Ikwumelu, Mbang & Oyibe, 2015). The significance
of this is that values and value system are germane to nation-
building. Nation-building cannot be accomplished without the
74 Sunday Obro

development of values and value system that promote and sustain

national integration and unity and progress.

Conclusion
Since every individual, community, society or nation is guided by
one value and value system or the other developed ultimately to
attain a particular objective of growth and development. It is thus,
imperative to conclude here that adherence and sustenance of
values and value system is a key pointer to achieving nation-building.
Values and value system have been proven to promote and platform
for nation-building. Therefore, the goal of nation-building will be
attained if values and value system are promoted and sustained.
This study concluded that values and value systems are fundamental
for nation-building. Every citizen should be very conscious of
attaining positive values and value system for nation-building and
individual development.

Suggestions
The following suggestions are made:
Irrespective of ethnic nationality and pluralistic nature of the
country, there should be acceptable values conform to by all citizens;
Socialisation and re-orientation agents should increase their efforts
in values and value system inculcation and re-orientation; and Social
Studies teachers should be trained in teaching methods for effective
values and value system building process.

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