ELUSIYAN TOLU’ FRANCIS
INTRODUCTION
The
Nigerian society is beset with myriads of challenges today that are searching
for solutions, because all over the world today, the image of Nigeria is that
of a pretentious country. Most of these challenges ranged from corruption to
unemployment. Corruption which leads to an inept Leadership, from nepotism to
religious triumphalism, from incessant kidnapping to ritual killing, from
vandalism to oil theft and most recently the terrorism of Boko haram. The
imperative role of a crystal clear understanding of what corruption is will be
inevitable before delving into the stage in which the grave rage of corruption
in Nigeria is cart null and void into Hades. John Locke outlined the doctrine
of the separation of powers, indicating the dangers of oppressive and arbitrary
rule when all function of government are exercised by a single person or
institution. Corruption as we all know is the abuse of entrusted power for
enraging private gain. It hurt everyone who depends on the integrity of people
in a position of Authority. The growing corruption in Nigeria can be traced to
people holding power at federal, state and local government levels. Corruption
does not involve just people in government, but also to people in both private
and public positions and even traditional rulers
The image
problem
It
is now exactly 55 years since the independence of our dear beloved nation, the
giant of Africa, Nigeria, and the most populous black nation in the world.
Though the day as any other day would have passed without any notice if not for
the public holiday being celebrated in few places. Lament of the people is what
we keep hearing. At 55 years old the giant of Africa is still crawling
following the dictations of other countries. When exactly will she stop been
led? The joy of freedom suddenly collapses into a bank of sorrow when there is
an agony of remembrance flashing to the stupendous enthusiasm in which Nigeria
gained her independence. Nigeria has now
become a mole-rat digging burrows of abjectness with incomparable large and
powerful incisors driving narrowing into the spines of her citizens. Though she
may have been freed from the colonial figures and imperial masters that feasted
like vultures on a dead carcass, she has now been fully plunged into the black
dungeon of her own feudal lords who at best we could describe as hungry dogs
who lack integral reputation. In the past we have great men, real patriot who
sacrificed all they had to make sure that this country will one day become one
of the best countries in the world. But what is really the result today?
Contrary leaders, old fool who dedicate themselves in serving their pocket and
specialized in looting and corruption. Instead of the highly focused Nigeria of
yesterday, what we are left with today is nothing but a horrible and blind
country, a dumping ground, and an odour of offensive pong what a shame! She
lost her identity and therefore described as a country of paradoxes,
perplexities and complexities throwing every citizen into what Yoruba people
will call “wahala”
youth as future leaders of tomorrow: are we there
yet?
If
we recall the popular aphorism or if you like cliché which says: ‘youth are the
future leaders of tomorrow’ made by our leaders of yesterday who are still
voraciously clinging in the baton of power which has become ineluctable to
them. I wonder when exactly is the future going to arrive for the youths when unemployment
today has become every youth nightmare. To me it is enigmatic that in a country
so rich and blessed with natural resources, people can still find it difficult
to deep their hands into their mouth. It
is no longer about going to school and graduating or learning a trade, but
about how to face the reality of graduating and joining the battalions of
unemployed youths. Politics have thrown many of the old fools into confusion
that they can no longer think properly. All they think of is jumping like a toad
into another party all in the name of making money, no hope of redemption what
empathy! The government in advanced countries has placed high priority on
matters regarding the welfare of their youths and their policy has in some way
positively affected the young people by institutionalising many youth centres
organised primarily focused on reflecting the views and serving the needs of
the young people. They provided a space where young people can organize for
action and meet community needs and experience group processes, strengthening
youth vigilance combating corruption through advocacy and networking.
IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR THIS PLAGUE OR
SHOULD WE LET THE SLEEPY DOG LIE?
In
order to prevent corruption from happening at all, Nigeria should emphasis
transparency, integrity and accountability in all their private and public
transaction. There achanism model is named for achan who appears in the old
testament of the Bible. Achan in the scripture was avaricious (Joshua 7). He
was caught and his entire family was severely dealt with. His children, who, who
might have expected to inherit the proceeds of his illegal actions were not
allowed to do so. There is need for formation and reformation, orientation and
de-orientation of the minds and heart of Nigerians for them to see that
corruption is the enemy of development. The law should be enforced to its
fullest and without favour. Improvement of socio-political and economic life
will reduce the tendency of public servants to demand and take bribes and get
involve in other corrupt practices. And to the youth of this country, our
future is at stake, these old rotten hoodoo have degenerate and waste our
future and that of the generation to come. Therefore, the earlier we begin to
think and plan the better for all of us. So the stage is now ours we either
think objectively in order to bring positive change or sit back and fold our
hand or leave the old goats to determine out future which they now hold at
ransom!
CONCLUSION
It
was Mark Terry who says “don’t waste your time about what you should have done,
use your time instead and do the next thing that needed to be done”. Corruption
in Nigeria is systematic, and to address the problem a systematic approach is
needed. To curb abd eventually eradicate corruption, children, youth and adults
must be given the power to distinguish right from wrong. All schools should
return to the teaching of moral education to empower children with the spirit
of stewardship, while adults live exemplary lives, reflecting truth, kindness,
dignity of labour and integrity. Permit me to conclude with this popular Yoruba
moral song on corruption.
KINI
UN O FOLE SE LAYE TI MO WA (2X)
LAYE
TI MO WA KAKA KIN JALE
KAKA
KIN JALE MAKUKU DERU
KINI
UN O FOLE SE LAYE TI MO WA.
And
to also say Ese rere ye Ese rere, Ese rere ko ba le ye wa o.
