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Let's Kill Corruption Before It Kills Nigeria By Abdullahi Yunusa

In saner climes where people attain greatness through honest, transparent, open and unquestionable means, citizens are so accustomed to doing things the right way. They do not cut corners in whatever they do. In such environments, people are naturally scared of getting involved in acts that could tarnish the name and hard earned reputation of their families. Sadly, same cannot be said about us here. Ours is a society where honesty, transparency and accountability in public and private affairs are only observed in the breach!

In saner climes where people attain greatness through honest, transparent, open and unquestionable means, citizens are so accustomed to doing things the right way. They do not cut corners in whatever they do. In such environments, people are naturally scared of getting involved in acts that could tarnish the name and hard earned reputation of their families. Sadly, same cannot be said about us here. Ours is a society where honesty, transparency and accountability in public and private affairs are only observed in the breach!



Honest, transparent, disciplined and law abiding individuals are called all sorts of derogatory names. In specific terms, they see such people as individuals who are 'born to suffer', 'spoilers', 'holy-holy' or 'Mumu'. The Nigerian nation has sunken so low that negativity thrives at the expense of positivity. Where gone our cherished values of integrity, honesty, discipline and transparency? Corruption has cancerously eaten deep into what is left of the emaciated soul of this once-vibrant nation. It's a sad tale that no segment of the Nigerian nation can be exonerated; not even our religious parlance from corruption related practices. In the conclusion of some, corruption has even become more endemic in our Mosques and churches as our clergies, in pursuit of earthly riches have deviated from preaching sermons that would constantly remind the faithful of the need to live righteous and holy lives.

The question on the lips of the few honest men and those whose conscience are still intact in a morally bankrupt society like Nigeria is; how did things become this terrible? When did we get to a situation whereby jobs in the public service are no longer offered based on competence and capability but on very funny considerations. Same thing is usually observed in the award of contracts. Contracts are now awarded based on certain considerations like blood ties or friendship ties, tribe, political or religious leaning. In scenarios as these, professionalism, competence and ability to deliver are usually relegated to the background.

Where exactly did we miss our steps? Can this messy situation be remedied or we should, like some have said, resign to fate that it is the will of God for us? The answer is not far-fetched. The answer is simple: we've lost touch with those core societal values without which a society collapses. We no longer see reasons why things should be done the right way. It's now old-fashioned, archaic and retrogressive to imbibe decorum in our daily engagements. We are all in a hurry to get things done the wrong way. The situation in my dear country is grave. If it were in climes where people don't live in crass self denial, citizens would have long hit the streets to draw global attention to their woes. But such cannot happen here. No! We are so puritanical in our dealings that whatever that befalls us is termed as what God has destined for us. It's such a crazy way of  thinking. It beats my imagination how some of us ignorantly misinterpreted situations in our desperate bid to win an argument.

That corruption has registered its ugly presence in virtually all strata of the Nigerian nation is not new, rather what is new about it is the frightening level it has assumed.  Nowhere is spared of the debilitating effects of this monster called corruption. Not even our Ivory Towers where core societal values are taught and practiced. Strangely, lecturers who are saddled with the responsibility of inculcating sound moral values are usually neck deep into the menace of corruption. In total fairness to all, an appreciable number of degrees usually awarded by Nigerian varsities are questionable. Most of the possessors of these degrees can attest to this fact. Imagine a situation where an undergraduate who does not attend lectures, hardly does his or her assignments and does not meet agreed attendance requirement per semester only for such a person to come out tops in class! Chilling as this scenario might be, there are cases where some do not even attend lectures at all only to be graded fairly by their lecturers. One would be forced to ask if these students are ghosts? Not at all. They do all these with the knowledge and tacit approval of their lecturers. Mind you, it's not on a pro bono case. Such executive students pay heavily in cash and in kind.

I deliberately chose to focus attention on areas less talked about when discussing corruption and how it has reduced our dear nation to a crawling adult. I've had several reasons to interact closely with leaders of NationaL Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) as well as Students Union Government ((SUG). First as an undergraduate, secondly in the cause of my professional assignment as an education correspondent of a national daily in Abuja. I've had reasons to hit hard  at these so-called undergraduates. It was usually my world against theirs each time our paths crossed. I was a vociferous critic of their misplacement of priorities. I often question why those who ought to have graduated still parade themselves as undergrads. The chilling response you get from them is they must survive either by hook or crook. Another disturbing thing about their activities is their huge penchant for doling out awards upon awards to politicians mostly for pecuniary reasons. Such students hardly stay back on their campuses. Abuja has become their base. They breeze in to hold 'official talks' pay 'courtesy call' on 'distinguished'  and 'honourable' lawmakers almost weekly. At the end, their palms are usually greased. Mind you, these lawmakers are not new to them. They had during previous elections 'contributed' to their successes at the polls. So, when they tell you they want to visit so and so Senator or honourable you should not be surprised. A number of these rogue student leaders have ended up in the hallowed but equally hollowed chambers of Federal and state assemblies as members!

In our institutions of higher learning, it is more of politics than knowledge acquisition. While male undergrads focus attention on SUG and NANS politics to remain relevant and also pay their bills, their female counterparts go to town to 'hustle'. A typical Nigerian university campus looks more like a social centre than an academic environment. Ladies dress expensively to outdo themselves. They go extra miles to buy designer bags, smart phones and shoes. They live in posh apartments in school. This is how critical things have gone in this part of the world. Such female students trade their bodies in exchange for money.

Finally, what about youth organizations! A number of friends have had cause to extend an open invitation to me to serve as media officer of one registered or yet-to-be registered association or the other. Laudable and sensible as their intentions are, but it's usually disheartening to later discover that such bodies are only meant to pursue personal interests! Money is usually at the centre of it. It's how to raise money for the association only to be cornered by the founder. It's very sad how every segment of our society has been bitten by the corruption bug.

In the interest of the unborn, we cannot possibly give up the fight against corruption. Doing so would amount to mortgaging their future. We must do all within our powers, individually and collectively to return our dear nation to the path of honour. Nigerians have suffered enough embarrassment in foreign lands. Handling a green card carries its huge problem. Such travellers are made to undergo a series of checks at foreign airports before boarding and disembarking from aircrafts. In the conclusion of many foreigners, especially those who have nasty experiences with conmen of Nigerian origins, all Nigerians are fraudsters! I beg to dispute that erroneous assertion. An average Nigerian is honest, just and frowns at immoral acts. Nigeria is a nation blessed with good citizens and cursed with corrupt leaders.

The task of rescuing Nigeria from the claws of corruption is a collective one. All hands, especially the few clean and corrupt-free ones must be on deck. Let us scale down on rhetorics. Enough of lip service. Let's walk the talk or else we face the dire consequences. Fellow Nigerians lets all rise in defence of our dear nation. Let's kill corruption before it sends our country to untimely grave. Let's make hay while the sun still shines.

Abdullahi Yunusa, from Minna, Niger state. [email protected]
 

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