We think erroneously that a single person or initiative will raise a magic wand and stop corruption in Nigeria; alluding this profound duty to a dependent or individual entity would be akin to encouraging corruption, and promoting abuse of power, one of the many faces of corruption.
The corruption menace is greater than any one citizen can fix, it is a foreign culture that our forefathers adopted, a mindset that is nurtured in the entire development process of the Nigerian system, at home, school, places of worship, society, and workplace. Even the holiest saint finds ways to justify allowances for corruption as God's favors. We continue to whitewash corruption instead of take responsibility and nib it in the bud.
I think a genuine effort in finding lasting solution might lie in defining the various forms of corruption that exist in our society, only afterwards should the ones without sin can cast the first stone. It appears that for many, corruption is only bad when it does not benefit them directly; if the benefits trickle down to them then it is interpreted otherwise.
Most of my respondents who are distressed by the current trend even acknowledged that if given the opportunity, they would also steal a little of public funds but cover up their tracks with phantom projects, etc.
We can wait another 30 years for Buhari, or any other saint, to attempt to tackle the stronghold of corruption in Nigeria but it will be a wasted effort until we recognize the role that all the stakeholders, especially the common citizen in Nigeria, plays in nurturing our celebrated corruption culture.
Attacking corruption from the ground up will yield most manageable and sustainable results. All the various forms of corruption must be highlighted in our early development stage and tackled to build character. There is more to corruption than the political or fiscal aspects.
With the power structure in Nigeria's democracy, even the best solo efforts to eradicate corruption will face legal/illegal frustrations by power-brokers. Our politicians thrive most in these corrupt setting, they are not the best guys to expunge it.
If we are serious, the power to fight corruption must rely on the common man, our institutions and the law to define and drive the fair change we seek.
The corruption menace is greater than any one citizen can fix, it is a foreign culture that our forefathers adopted, a mindset that is nurtured in the entire development process of the Nigerian system, at home, school, places of worship, society, and workplace. Even the holiest saint finds ways to justify allowances for corruption as God's favors. We continue to whitewash corruption instead of take responsibility and nib it in the bud.
I think a genuine effort in finding lasting solution might lie in defining the various forms of corruption that exist in our society, only afterwards should the ones without sin can cast the first stone. It appears that for many, corruption is only bad when it does not benefit them directly; if the benefits trickle down to them then it is interpreted otherwise.
Most of my respondents who are distressed by the current trend even acknowledged that if given the opportunity, they would also steal a little of public funds but cover up their tracks with phantom projects, etc.
We can wait another 30 years for Buhari, or any other saint, to attempt to tackle the stronghold of corruption in Nigeria but it will be a wasted effort until we recognize the role that all the stakeholders, especially the common citizen in Nigeria, plays in nurturing our celebrated corruption culture.
Attacking corruption from the ground up will yield most manageable and sustainable results. All the various forms of corruption must be highlighted in our early development stage and tackled to build character. There is more to corruption than the political or fiscal aspects.
With the power structure in Nigeria's democracy, even the best solo efforts to eradicate corruption will face legal/illegal frustrations by power-brokers. Our politicians thrive most in these corrupt setting, they are not the best guys to expunge it.
If we are serious, the power to fight corruption must rely on the common man, our institutions and the law to define and drive the fair change we seek.
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