Obi’s call to replace night vigils with night shifts sparks national debate

DDM News

A recent statement made by Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has ignited a thought-provoking debate across Nigeria.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that during an appearance on the podcast The Honest Bunch, hosted by Nedu and his team, Obi remarked that it was time to “change night vigils to night shifts”, a call that resonated with many Nigerians but also ruffled feathers in some religious and political circles.

However, the underlying message remains relevant in the current national discourse.

Philosopher Karl Marx once famously said, “Religion is the opium of the poor.”

This quote resonates deeply in the Nigerian context, where religious fervour is often prioritized over practical productivity.

Within Nigeria, many citizens display a casual attitude toward work, often mingling personal activities with official responsibilities.

This contrasts sharply with Nigerians in the diaspora, who are widely known for their discipline, professionalism, and innovative contributions in their host countries.

It’s a curious paradox.

The same Nigerians who arrive late to work or abandon duties for religious programs at home become punctual, efficient, and rule-abiding once abroad.

Calls made to a Nigerian abroad during work hours are typically met with text responses stating they are busy at work.

There are consequences for negligence abroad, something that is sorely missing in Nigeria’s work culture.

Back home, it is common to find workers receiving personal calls at their desks, entertaining visitors, or even skipping work entirely over minor health complaints.

Some workers seek time off for religious events or social gatherings with little concern for lost productivity.

This national attitude affects not just individual workplaces but also the economy at large.

The situation is further compounded by the culture of organized religious activities during official hours.

Some churches hold lengthy prayer meetings on weekday mornings, including Mondays, with business owners and employees abandoning economic activity to attend.

In Western countries like Canada and the United Kingdom, frequent destinations for Nigerian migrants, such practices are almost non-existent.

People there work round the clock, with night shifts substituting for religious vigils.

Some even work multiple shifts a day to sustain themselves and support families back home.

Yet in Nigeria, despite high unemployment and economic stagnation, a significant portion of the workforce dedicates time to spiritual exercises that could otherwise be used to improve output.

Critics argue that the Nigerian government should review its compensation structure.

Paying workers, particularly civil servants, a fixed salary regardless of productivity fosters laziness.

Instead, Douglas Ogbankwa suggests, Nigeria should move towards hourly or task-based remuneration, which would encourage more diligence and accountability.

Overtime should be incentivized, not ignored.

The religious justification for such practices is also under scrutiny.

The Bible itself acknowledges the importance of time management, as seen in Ecclesiastes: “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven.”

This scripture suggests a need for balance.

Religious commitment should not become an excuse for professional negligence.

Lives are literally at stake.

A doctor who skips a night shift to attend a vigil might endanger a patient’s life.

A public official who delays action due to a spiritual retreat could be the reason a community goes without essential services.

Nigeria is one of the few economies where businesses routinely shut down by 4 p.m., leaving a large gap in productivity.

In contrast, economies in Asia, Europe, and North America operate around the clock.

Night shifts are a staple in those regions, not night vigils.

This round-the-clock economy creates jobs, increases output, and maximizes national wealth.

Analysts argue that Nigeria’s aspiration to become a top-tier global economy cannot be achieved with an 8-to-4 work culture.

To compete globally, Nigeria must adopt a work ethic aligned with 24-hour economic systems.

This includes making sacrifices, staying disciplined, and letting go of cultural habits that prioritize the spiritual over the practical during work hours.

According to American theologian Charles Stanley, “The best way to deceive believers is to cloak a message in religious language and declare that it conveys some new insight from God.”

This quote serves as a warning.

Misusing religion as a cover for mediocrity and laziness is deceptive—and dangerous.

It leads to spiritual manipulation and economic regression.

Douglas Ogbankwa argues that it’s time to stop the self-deception.

He calls for an urgent redirection of national energy towards productivity.

Enough of the rhetoric.

It’s time to work.

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