THE recurrence of corruption as a matter of grave national import has sadly continued unabated, without as much as a reflection of various anti-corruption measures officially adopted in the country. If anything, what is being reflected is a mockery of anti-corruption campaign, depicted in the grandstanding and absence of diligent investigation and prosecution that have trailed the arrest of fliers of high-profile corruption cases. Understandably, Nigerians deride the regular fact that former governors and other notable persons in the country caught in the corruption web need only a few days to stay in the custody of law-enforcement agencies, before they perfect their bail and resume business as usual.Recent report sourced from Transparency International (TI), to the effect that Nigeria's civil servants took $3b bribe last year is only an addition to growing cases of unfettered corruption. So also is the report of contract scam allegedly rocking the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). The ultimate message is that if indeed the country is desirous of curbing the cankerworm, it must be ready to drastically overhaul its existing anti-corruption machinery. Secondly, Nigerians must accept that the country's socio-economic instability will not change for the better, unless it can reverse the corruption trend. In fact, problems of underdevelopment, poverty, crime, disease and social upheaval will most likely degenerate.In its report on Bribe Payers Index for this year, the TI assessed 28 countries excluding Nigeria. But the body's conduct of additional studies of corrupt behaviours in public and private sectors in the world showed that 'corrupt civil servants in oil-rich Nigeria pocketed some $3.2 billion (about N450 billion) in bribes, in the 2010/2011 financial year alone.'According to the TI, previous findings show that 'bribery is particularly widespread in the construction, energy and extractive industries.' Similarly, news reports of contract scam in the FCDA suggest inflation of contract sums, part payment without corresponding performance and non-existing contract sites.Sadly, these indications are all too common in the country's public life, with the result that much of the money earmarked for public works end up in private pockets. It is not surprising too that public infrastructure is decrepit and in deplorable state. It is no exaggeration to say that corruption is Nigeria's most major problem.Lamentable also is the fact that although the military forced its way into governance presumably to reverse the trend of corruption, the scourge unfortunately worsened with the military's advent. Over the past 30 years, therefore, corruption ensured that government did not keep pace with its cardinal duty of providing education, good health, shelter, employment and security for its citizens.Due to unchecked corruption, it has been impossible for government to distribute resources efficiently and with transparency. Also ingrained in the polity, as a result of corruption, is the penchant to always cut corners; lack of belief in fair court trial or in the examination process, or democratic principle of majority having the day. Legislators are equally guilty, not surprisingly, as many of them got to their position through manipulation of election processes, and consequently feel no duty-bound to serve their supposed constituencies.The loss of character in the civil service; the absence of planning, and failure of project implementation; the meaningless discussions in conferences; and fund-wasting jamborees regularly embarked upon by governments are all products of corruption. Just as it exists in all organs of public life, corruption also permeates all tiers of government at the Federal, State and local levels.Any attempt to curb corruption must begin with the country's leadership. It is trite that if the head is rotten, the rot easily goes through the rest of the body. Conversely, it is easier for a disciplined leader to mobilise his subjects away from corruption. Only a corrupt-free leadership can encourage excellence in human endeavour in every sector, as a nation rises and falls upon the strength and character of its leader.This country must sanction legally, the culprits of corruption as a measure of deterrence to potential corrupt persons. Sadly, the current situation where some corrupt leaders are only harassed, detained for a couple of days and then released to enjoy their loot is bound to encourage others. This grandstanding has reached perfection in virtually all high profile corruption cases.There should be concerted efforts involving all arms of justice administration from the Attorneys General to the Chief Justice, to fathom out ways to deal with obstacles to bring corrupt people to book. The approval given for special courts on corruption may be helpful; but it can only be a means to an end.Corruption is not a matter for government or its agencies alone; it must involve all Nigerians who are expected to expose cases and demonstrate their revulsion adequately. For a start, we must stop the habit of holding rich people in reverence unless the source of their wealth is known and confirmed to be credible. The people must disown the syndrome of sacred cows, and ensure that a corrupt person is punished no matter his standing in the society.Similarly, religious communities have an important role to play in discouraging corruption. Their tendency to accommodate all donations without questioning their sources is an endorsement of corruption. So also is their emphasis during sermons, on prosperity. Surely, the scriptures in the major religions did not stipulate that everybody is destined to be rich, and should therefore pursue that destiny at all cost.Both government and the people must imbibe morality as a guiding tool in the conduct of affairs. This will require tacit, even open discouragement to persons or acts that are simply immoral or unacceptable. Why for instance, should persons who have been convicted for crime, including corruption, be allowed to parade themselves as influential people in the society' For that matter, why should government and other agencies confer any form of honour to people suspected of, or being tried for corruption' Why would ex-convicts or people of doubtful integrity be asked to preside over important occasions or social gatherings'Conducts depicting these immoralities abound daily in government circle at all levels. They lack moral force and consequently should not be encouraged in any form. The court should stipulate more stringent conditions to prevent suspected corrupt leaders from influencing investigation while on bail.In addition, the machinery, whether of the police or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) need overhauling to perfect their investigation competence. Many corrupt persons have escaped punishment on account of lack of diligent investigation and prosecution.Finally, we must start to re-orientate the youth from tender age against corrupt practices. This is a challenge for parents at home and for teachers at schools. When the youth are taught to loath corruption early in their lives, they will not grow up embracing it.
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