Nigeria And Corruption

By

Rev. Fr. Felix Ajakaiye

To begin with, it seems reasonable to remind any reader of this article the meaning of corruption. The Cambridge International Dictionary of English (1996) defines corruption as a dishonest way of using one's position or power to one's own advantage, especially for money. It is a morally bad act, a practice that affects the growth and development of any nation or society. It is a criminal act.

In Nigeria, going down memory lane, one tends to conclude that a high degree of corruption began to be noticed in the country with the emergence of the colonial masters. Historically, the middle of the 16th century witnessed the emergence of several British and other European firms and traders establishing trading posts along the coast of West Africa, not only for their trading interests, but also as bases for slave trade.

The colonialists engaged in the slave trade with vigour and employed ways of dealing with the opposition. In a larger scale, they employed trade by barter style. Human beings (that is, the would-be slaves) were exchanged for small amount of money and material goods like umbrellas, walking sticks, hot drinks, hats and a host of others. Based on this, they enticed the chiefs with such items, who, in turn, gave away their subjects to the "visitors", without reflecting on what was in stock for their people in foreign lands in the hands of the aliens. Having received their gifts, the chiefs and other slave traders became used to the newly introduced bad system. It was termed a deal. Hence, the legacy of bribery and corruption, which seemed bequeathed by the British colonialists, has been in existence in Nigeria since then. Therefore, this has become an endemic malaise in the Nigerian society.

Notably, the British rule in Nigeria faced lots of opposition and its efforts to maintain its grip on the country did not go down well on some people who saw themselves as nationalists, whose primary struggle was for the attainment of Nigeria's political independence. The battle for self-rule was paramount in their minds. They and some people were bent on sabotaging the efforts of the colonists until the country became an independent nation on 1 October, 1960. Ironically, the acts of sabotage by Nigerians continued thereafter against their own fellow Nigerians in power.

Thus, corruption seems to have been deeply rooted in all the spheres of life of Nigerians. It has got to the extent that Nigeria has been rated as one of the most corrupt nations in the world. Undoubtedly, corruption is the root of all the problems Nigeria is facing today. And unless Nigerians unite and wage sincere war against this cankerworm, there will not be lasting solutions to the nation's many troubles. The country will just be going round the circle without achieving anything positively.

Here, let us reflect on the cancerous problem of incessant petroleum scarcity in Nigeria. While some concerned citizens are sad about this persistent embarrassing situation, others are happy and counting their "blessings", and even praying that the problem should continue so that their illegal business can thrive. For a very long time now, the Federal Government, either headed by the military or civilians, has not been able to find meaningful solutions to the fuel scarcity, except indiscriminate increase in petroleum products' prices. The usual claim is that its action would put an end to the problems of black marketing, bunkering and vandalisation of petroleum pipelines. Unfortunately, this has never been. Instead, the problem keeps on rearing its ugly head and it tends to be biting harder than ever before. This is due to the corruption in the land.

Like the chiefs in the colonial era, most of the chiefs and the community leaders in the oil-producing areas engage in acts of sabotage by instigating their youth to vandalise the pipelines, to go on rampage against the oil workers and a host of other destructive acts. Some of them even get contracts and money from the oil companies in their areas. In this case, through their corrupt and exploitative deeds, they are well off, unlike their agitated subjects. Therefore, there is tension in such places.

In the area of black marketers, the law enforcement agents, especially the police, are indeed contributing factors to this oftentimes, the police tend to be collaborators by their actions. They prefer the money that is given to them by either the agents of the black marketing-pins or the barons themselves. It seems it is only when they are not 'settled' appropriately or when they want to portray themselves as 'efficient' officers that they apply the law against their 'friends'.

To say the least, the officers' activities in this regard are criminal, since their collaborative attitudes, directly or indirectly, are corrupt both in nature and character. unless the country's security officers have new orientation, and at the same time adequately compensated, they may continue in their widely known trademark. This is the bitter truth the officers need to face and opt for renewed life so that Nigerians and foreigners residing in the country can have genuine confidence in them. If not, they will remain irrelevant in the society. It is even being postulated that it is due to the perpetual collaboration of the police with people of doubtful character that has given birth to groups like OPC, The Bakassi Boys, MASSOB, Egbesu Boys and similar groups. This is food for thought for the police and the Federal Government.

Still on the problem of perennial fuel scarcity in Nigeria. The federal government keeps on pumping whopping sums of money for the repairs of the nation's refineries, but without positive results. For instance, it has been reported that $30 million (about N3 billion) is required for the repairs of the Kaduna Refinery alone (courtesy of The Guardian, Friday, March 2, 2001). undoubtedly, it is very necessary to repair and maintain the refineries for effective supply of fuel. However, the more money expended on the refineries the more they seem to remain the same - bad. It is sad. Again, it is the same story - the infectious corruption.

While the government constantly releases money for the repairs, some people are no doubt pocketing a greater part of it. This is why the Obasanjo government must do something and put an end to this corrupt activity. Otherwise, the government's release of money to the Nigerian National petroleum corporation (NNPC) without much to show for it will be like pouring water into a basket. It is really a waste and bad management as well if the government disburses money as it likes without monitoring how it is being used. The judicious use will definitely be profitable for the country and will also go a long way in curbing corruption.

Another glaring sphere of life where corruption is highly noticed in Nigeria is in the area of sports, particularly football. Since the use of sports has become a propaganda method by various governments to promote their activities and foreign relations, many countries, Nigeria inclusive, tend to create ways of winning at all costs. In the case of Nigeria, in the age group international football competitions like Under-17 and Under -21, from the look of things, it would seem over-aged players are being selected to represent Nigeria in the championships.

Or else, the likes of Philip Osondu, Chris Ohenhen, Chris Nwosu, Fatai Atere, Dimeji Lawal, Sanni Adamu and their mates should have graduated to the senior national team, the Super (Green) Eagles and be exhibiting their superlative skills now if it was true they were really younger while they were playing for the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles respectively. The tendency is that the 'men' are made to look like youngsters through their stylish haircuts and other make-ups. In the long run, they do not make it to the national team because their bodies get weaker early and they cannot cope with the rigours and expectations of the senior team.

Apart from the fact that nobody can cheat nature, this is corruption incorporated. Also, the promise of money or/and other things to athletes before competitions is itself promotion of bribery and corruption. this too needs to be discouraged.

Definitely, it will be a fool-hardy venture for one to highlight all the spheres of life where corruption, seemed to have defied all logic, has kept on rearing its ugly head in the life of a country called Nigeria, the giant of Africa. hence, here in this article, one has only attempted to examine related areas where corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigeria society, and proffering possible ways where Nigerians can decide together as a people to put an end to it. Without minding whose ox is gored, the war against corruption must be waged at all levels, including the Church and mosques. Nigerians need to learn to say NO to any disreputable acts or/and persons. corrupt people are enemies of the society.

Nigerians should learn to act honestly. I know a Vice-Chancellor of one of the Nation's universities, a revered Professor of international Law and Jurisprudence, who refused to use his status of offer admission to his son who scored 198 marks in the last exams of the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), emphasising that the cut-off marks for the Law faculty where his son was seeking admission for were 200. To date, some people, including students and lecturers of the university, cannot comprehend why the VC had to behave like that to his son. According to them, he should have bent the rule for his son since he was only 2 marks short of the cut-off marks.

This is the Nigerian mentality that calls for urgent change. The generality of Nigerians tend to love to promote dishonesty at the expense of honesty. The honest professor believes in merits and he is prepared to make the university conductive for learning rather than allowing it to be congested due to pressure for admissions from parents and guardians for their wards. With the disciplined attitude of the VC, it will be difficult for anybody to influence him unnecessarily, while sanity will prevail in honest environment. This is the type of thing Nigerians are expected to practice daily.

With this in mind, all the public buildings named after the known grand masters of corruption such as the former military dictators should be changed forthwith. An example is the Sani Abacha Hall of the National War College, Abuja, named after the late 'maximum' ruler, whose loots are now being retrieved from various banks in the world. Then, if this is the case, it is disgraceful that a national monument is bearing his name. It is something of a misnomer if the government refuses to right the wrong and this is a dangerous sign to our soldiers in the college.

It is also a shame that one of the country's registered political parties is postulating of adopting another discredited ruler and the man who annulled the results of the presidential elections in 1993, Gen Ibrahim Badamasi (Maradona)Babangida (rtd), as its presidential candidate. Such party tends to be taking Nigerians for granted by its anti-people proposal. There should vigorous campaigns against corruption in Nigeria. Furthermore, prayer is greatly needed for Nigeria to turn away from corruption and live morally. To live morally is to live happily. peacefully and justly.

Rev. Fr. Ajakaye, the Diocesan Secretary General and Communications Director, The Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, wrote in from Ekiti.