SECURING ONE’S LIFE AND PROPERTY:

WHOSE DUTY?

Among the many basic needs of man is security if not the first. In fact I stand to say that it is the first because one needs to be secured before he can talk of food. Ordinarily food can be eaten under any condition. But considering the many rare cases where this food has to be sought for and prepared before being eaten, we will then have to believe that one has to be sure of life before what sustains it; for the place where the food will be sought for and prepared will be safe and secured. This is because even if he has to eat under any condition be it under the rain or sun, or any other condition, he has to be sure at least to an extent that his life will not run short whenever he settles for food and other things he needs at any particular time. At least the soldiers of the different war times will testify that; for although they eat hurriedly during the war most often, they were very sure of their security at that particular time they were eating the food. Take time to ask some of them!

In the same line the security consciousness will definitely be having serious affairs with them which they expressed by their adequately paying attention to sounds, smells, sights and other things.  Another case in point is the event where in the search for food and perhaps shelter of which Abraham Masolo included in his Hierarchy of human needs, and there comes a threat to their lives, human beings and even animals run for their dear lives. After all if there is no life there is no need for food. And so, we shall come to understand that security remains very very important to man. Having being secured, man can then talk about food and after eating, he can talk of clothes and other things he needs. Hence, we can from the above cases profess that security is the most basic need of man.

Thus, the question of above is not in conflict with what we have been saying so far. Of course, ordinarily it may not be necessary because deducible from it is the very fact that we are talking of one’s life and property here and that means that the person involved should take such responsibility. Yes! This is very true because every person whose life and property are very important to will do all humanly possible to him to secure them. But come to think of it does that question above have more children more than we can see and imagine? Take the pains and take a good look at it again and think very deeply. The person asking this question must have seen or got something for which this question is a product of.

In their social nature, human beings become very united in different forms and levels as the case may be. While some of these affinities are natural (that is, human beings are just born into them), some are not (as human beings choose them when they grow and develop into taking decision. And so under this social network which from its essence does not neglect the shared responsibilities and rights between the members of any of the associations, human beings are naturally and unconsciously answering the question above in the way they live their lives; individually and collectively. But how? Perhaps, reading further will manufacture more understanding.

 In being the brother’s keeper which Jesus Christ emphasised seriously in the New Testament of the Holy Book of the Christians, and being caged in the prison of human social relationships, the security of a person’s life and his/her property is the duty of all those who relate with the person. For instance the security of the life and property of Mr. A is the responsibility of those related to him in any form. They express this in their best wishes for him through their various degrees and angles of this support. Hence, the material, spiritual, psychological, emotional and other needs of Mr. A are provided for by those around. This is clearly seen when the very person concerned dwells in an age he is believed to be totally dependent on those around and a society still very hospitable.

Thus, why not behaving with a serious effort like Cain of the Old Testament of the same Holy Book of Christians, the relatives of Mr. A remain ever observant in their direct and indirect observation of him. That is why when Mr. A behaves or acts in a way they are not familiar with or they feel he should not have acted since they claim to know him very well (although this knowledge is controversial in Philosophy of the Social Sciences), they begin to ask him if everything is okay with him …Nnaa Ọ dịkwa nma? No matter the very person that asks the question, the issue which is the truth here is that there is a concern towards the well being of Mr. A. Of course let us not forget that when there is a sign that the person is sick, arrangements to meet with the doctor or healer begins and is actualised. Arguably there may be those who may not go up to this extent. But we are not concerned primarily with the extent of the help here. These are enough to express to us the fact that those around one have the responsibility of taking care of his life and property.

Moreover, as we know already (courtesy of its awareness I married us) of the various social associations in the human society, when Mr. A shares his will with some people, it follows that those people share also in his responsibilities. By this I mean that by the very fact that human beings share their individual will with a kind of a group of people set up supposedly by them, it follows that that group also has a part to play in that role the people will play with their will. This group is no other than the Government; for which our beloved Political ancestors Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau told us when they were alive (and keep on telling us as long as their writings are still alive) are made by the people with the intention  of working for the people too. Was it not from this that Abraham Lincoln concluded that the best way this group of people has to work is to work in the format of being conscious of their origin in the people, and their purpose is interest of the people? If all these are the case, it follows that government is another group that takes care of the life of people within the area of rule.

Hence, in carrying out this plan effectively, the government sets us different laws and policies that will enhance the security of lives and property of the individual people in the society. She provides social amenities and services that help to sustain and secure lives and property in the land. She also comes into the areas of seeing to the provision of basic goods and services at affordable prices for the individuals that make up that particular society. Certainly this is the function of Government wherever it may be.

However, we are not unmindful of the various cases where this government in some places have changed this natural function of hers or have aborted her listening hear and consciousness to them. It remains unfortunate when the one who should be securing life is now endangering or even killing it. This is expressed in the inadequate or no provision of the social amenities. O! When the roads have become death traps! O! When the hospitals are buildings with no personnel! These are not the only content we have in our container of failures of this government to secure and sustain life. Chai! The rising cost of goods and services! Hmmm… the poor at the roundabout! This situation becomes very painful when what it takes to avoid these situations is naturally and heavily provided by the architect of the land. We may not need to go far in searching for those societies where these are happening since the land on which you are digesting this piece is a chief example.

Sequel to the immediate above, when Government fails to secure the life of Mr. A after he has surrendered his will to them, what will he do? Of course he will have to do something when he is still breathing consciously because were he to be dead by now, this question may not be for him particularly unless we use him to represent others. In any of the cases, the failure of the government and even the group that should help secure one’s life and property does not mean that all hope is lost.

Therefore, this is the very moment where we have to take responsibility for that which is ours. This is the point where one has to secure his life and property without any dependence on others at least to some extent. This is case where people will be very careful in their driving styles since most the roads are bad of which they may not prefer to go by air. That the roads are bad should be deterrence of reckless driving; for if the stream is bad, the one who fetches the water is responsible for the effect. That there is poor supply of electricity should not make one use the generators indoors or carelessly; if not, the experiences of the burnt houses will reoccur again. That there is poor health care provision by the government and costly private ones should not make one to ignore the little signs of sickness even though the laboratory test must necessarily have a result. Or worse still, it should not make one to be directed to an unqualified “cheap” fellow; for some of them are using people to learn the work and consider when you are one of the specimens and after the personal test he in humility scores himself 29% or something below when students fail particular courses?

In essence, what I am saying is that the security of one’s life and property is a duty of the government and all those related to the person. But primarily, that responsibility is personal. Not only is it personal, it requires carefulness because some properties are irreplaceable of which life itself can only be replaced through reincarnation for all those who believe in it.

We must do our best to protect our lives and property. They are ever precious and demands care and sustenance. The failure of government to help us in this regard is not a reason for us to be stupid about them.

 

Nwanyanwu Chris