NEGATIVE ATTITUDE OF MODERN YOUTH ON AFRICAN ETHICAL VALUES: ITS DETRIMENTAL BLOW ON THE ESAN NATION OF NIGERIA

Abstract

A new form of colonialization emerged in which African youths in a bid to be ‘civilized’ copied the lifestyle exhibited by the foreigners. They then abandoned those aspects of our cultural values that held true to the tenets of human morality and dignity. Consequently, the rising wave of sexual promiscuity, teenage pregnancy, cultism and various violent acts have assumed alarming proportions in our society. In African Traditional Society, indigenous moral values play significant role in the development of human beings and the society. These values are universally accepted as the standard norms of the society. Strict adherence and observance of these ethical values will ensure a peaceful, settled and united society. Violation of values is directly aimed at doom as these values are gifts from God to ensure a safe and peaceful society for man. For instance there is an Esan axiom which says “adatota non dibhilin aki jie enibhokhan we” meaning “couples discuss deep matters when children are sleeping”. These deep matters refer to conjugal issues. It is discovered that sexual matters are displayed, discussed on radio, television etc which is exposing our young ones to immorality. Hence, this paper examines the Negative Attitude of modern youth on African Traditional Ethical values and its Detrimental Blow on morality on the Esan Nation of Nigeria. The paper discusses the impact of Modernity on traditional ethnical values. Modernity is not evil in itself, but it has been used in propagating disobedience to African Traditional rules and regulations. Modernity has swept us away from almost all traditional types of social order and ethical values, in quite unprecedented fashion. It further exposes the various ethnical values held in high esteem by the people, Esan. The work employs the historical, descriptive and evaluative research methodologies. The work concludes that our values should be rejuvenated and taught to the younger generation who are the adults and parents of tomorrow.