By James Sunday, FCAI, MNIIA
Right from creation, laws were established to make life orderly and meaningful. It was man’s act of disobedience that led to the disruption of the universal system. Everything created operates under a law, the moon and the sun, the winter and summer seasons, man and animals. What they eat, drink, and where they dwell are guided by law.
That is why the sun operates in the daytime and the moon at night. Neither disobeys its timing to avoid confusion. Winter and summer have their seasons; man and animals know what to eat, drink, and where to inhabit. It is only man who attempts to work in reverse order, this was the beginning of universal disorder.
The law is meant to work. Right from creation, it is the law that shapes the world; it defines what humans should or should not do, eat or not eat, drink or not drink. Whether international or national, the essence of the law is to function, to work.
The philosophy behind the word “law” lies in its potency, efficacy, and aptness when allowed by man to operate.
Why must man allow the law to work?
To establish order and orderliness, and to avert disorder, confusion, chaos, and anarchy, both in society and for the well-being of man and his environment.
Law is a progressive force when rightly applied, but when wrongly applied, it becomes retrogressive. What then is the implication?
It explains why some societies advance and progress while others retrogress and remain backward. The difference between developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries lies only in how much they allow the law to work for them.
What we call developed countries are those where the law works 80% -100% without discrimination. Developing countries struggle between 50% -70%, while underdeveloped countries operate under pressure at 0% – 40%, which, as we all know, reflects failure.
The law does not recognize colour, tribe, or religion where it truly works, because the law that works is meant for all, without exception. Unless it is specifically and categorically stated in the law that a person or entity has exemption or immunity, everyone must be subject to it. This is the only way to avoid impunity.
The law must work, for us all to enjoy orderliness, serenity, organization, advancement, development, progress, prosperity, peace, and safety.
It does not require interpretation to know when and where it is working or not working. The people feel it, and the society reflects it. We must all strive to make the law work, not by beating one and pampering another, smiling at one and frowning at another, raising one and bringing another down, fighting one and making peace with another.
The law that works is not blind, it sees. It does not look the other way. It judges, reprimands, corrects, punishes, and addresses all without sentiment, discrimination, or segregation. It is just and fair to all. That is the law that works.