TAMING THE SCOURGE OF CORRUPTION IN THE NIGERIA SOCIETY.
Feb 3rd, 2010 | By Olufunke Fayemi | Category: Lead Story, Local Government News
traffic officer and offender
Corruption in Nigeria has been the subject of much discussion. Seminars and workshops have been held on the subject with prominent Nigerians mounting the podium and speaking elegantly of how corruption has destroyed the fabric of our society. Sad to say, many of those anti-corruption speakers are the corrupt leaders in power. It has contributed immensely to the poverty and misery of a large segment of the Nigerian population.
Though much has been done to get it eradicated and out of the Nigeria system, still the problem persists. It is evident in all levels of life, either directly or indirectly, bit or to a large extent.
Traffic officials collect bribe from traffic offenders and release them. They routinely stop commercial bus drivers to demand a bribe. Meanwhile, all this take place under the hoarding that reads “Corruption is illegal: Do not give or accept bribes.”
Political corruption is not a recent phenomenon that pervades our country, Politicians loot the treasury in billions Nigeria. Over the years, the country has seen her wealth withered with little to show in living conditions of the common man.
In the Global Corruption Report (GCR), Nigeria’s banking sector was lambasted for its perceived corruption, which was described as partially responsible for the collapse of many banks in the 1990s and losses to many depositors and stakeholders.
Consider the case of the former MD of Oceanic bank, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru. Who would have thought the innocent looking mother could loot with such a careless abandon? When there are thousands of Nigerians struggling to make ends meet, eating just once in a day is a big challenge to them, and here we have our Mrs. Ibru being in possession of hundreds of properties, bought shares in several companies within and outside Nigeria, with numerous national and foreign accounts, what a world, wicked!
It is imperative at this point to commend the effort of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), in fighting corruption. However, the anti-corruption fighters should carry out their duties, with no sentiments attached. Arrest and probe those who are suspected of looting money, and not just few out of favour ones, intentionally being punished because they are in the opposition party using the two anti-corruption bodies as an agent.
For effective control of corruption in Nigeria, the leadership must muster the political will to tackle the problem head-on, regardless of who is involved, the simple fact remains that corruption is an evil that must not be allowed to survive in any society.
Other factors are poor reward system and greed; Nigeria’s reward system is, perhaps, the poorest in the world. Nigeria is a society where national priorities are turned upside down; hard work is not rewarded, but rogues are often glorified.
Ineffective taxing system is a serious problem for Nigeria. The society should institute appropriate and effective taxing system where everyone is made to explain his or her sources of income, through end of the year income tax filing.
Inefficient judiciary system to enforce the laws of the land is a setback in justice delivery and could lead to people engaging in corrupt behavior, knowing fully well that they would get away with it. Though, there had been land mark judgements in recent time but more is expected to increase peoples hope in the Judiciary.
Many Nigerians are highly motivated, but they have relatively low access to economic opportunities. For example many people work and get stipends at the end of the month. Yet, the society expects them to be honest and productive. Many of these people are parents, Are they expected to train their children in schools with empty wallet? Under this condition, many citizens would reject the rule of the game (societal norms) and criminally innovate ways to make ends meet.
Corruption has taught Nigerians a dangerous and wrong lesson that it does not pay to be honest, hardworking and law-abiding. Through corrupt means many political office holders acquire wealth and properties in and outside Nigeria, and many display their wealth (which is beyond their means), but the society does not blink. This has made politics a big business in Nigeria, because anything spent to secure a political office is regarded as an investment, which matures immediately one gets into office.
Corruption wastes skills as precious time is often wasted to set up unending committees to fight corruption, and to monitor public projects. It also leads to aid forgone. Some foreign donors do not give aid to corrupt nations. For instance, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has withdrawn development support from some nations that are notoriously corrupt. And the World Bank has introduced tougher anti-corruption standards into its lending policies to corrupt countries. Corruption is politically destabilizing, as it leads to social revolution and military takeovers.
Becoming corrupt in Nigeria is almost unavoidable, as morality is relaxed, because to survive people have to make money. The 1996 Study of Corruption by Transparency International ranked Nigeria as the most corrupt nation, among 54 nations listed in the study, with Pakistan as the second highest. As if this was not bad enough, the 1998 Transparency International corruption perception index (CPI) of 85 countries, Nigeria was 81 out of the 85 countries pooled. And in the 2001 corruption perception index (CPI), the image of Nigeria slipped further down south (ranked 90, out of 91 countries pooled), with second position as most corrupt nation, with Bangladesh coming first.
Corruption is destructive of governmental structures and capacity. The news of forgery and perjury committed by a onetime Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ibrahim Salisu Buhari was in the air some years ago. Through corrupt means,Buhari amassed wealth (he made millions working for NEPA), and bribed his way to the fourth highest position in the land. This scandal dominated the political agenda of Nigeria for some time. It is a national shame that a crook was in-charge of the House of Representatives the body that makes the laws of the land. What type of laws could he have made for Nigeria? At the end what happened to him? He was pardoned. Funny enough, Buhari contested for the 2007 presidential elections, what a country!
In summary, corruption diverts scarce public resources into private pockets, literally undermines effective governance, endangers democracy and erodes the social and moral fabric of nations.
The mass media has a crucial role to play in the campaign to educate the people of their rights as citizens, and in exposing the rogues. Nothing chills nonsense more than exposure to thin air. The nation should erect permanent structures in the society to constantly tackle corruption. The citizens have a role to play in the war against corruption: they should always try to resist the temptation to offer bribes to corrupt government officials, as it takes two to tango.By Olufunke Fayemi
