Reverence for God, hard work are the ‘most prized values’ among Nigerians

A recent survey by Foundation for Values and Normative Change showed that hard work and reverence for God are among the two most highly prized values among Nigerians.

The survey was conducted on Facebook between January 27 and February 9, 2019.

According to a statement by Tunde Fagbenle, CEO of the foundation, while 25 percent of the respondents said hard work was the most important value, reverence for God was next with 24 percent or 51 of the respondents polled.

Fagbenle said the survey was designed to test the value preference for a better Nigeria.

Other values highlighted in the survey are, integrity (23 per cent), honesty (15 per cent) and kindness (13 per cent).

Commenting on the survey, Akin Fapohunda, executive director of Aflon Digital Institute and former secretary to the government of the federation, said “it is quite surprising that 25 percent of the respondents thought ‘hard work’ best represents the underpinning of their values.

“This may be quite strange indeed, in the context of our ‘It is well’ or’ God is in control’ mentality of leaving most things for supernatural intervention.”

Fapohunda, also a social analyst for the foundation, called Values Volunteers, said in a country “where our sense of values has been evolving over the years and over different epochs, the survey is an indicative poll that should prepare the grounds for a more comprehensive test.”