Corruption is a violation of the trust vested by its “stakeholders” in the holders of offices in any organisation, be it a government, trade union or even an NGO (non-governmental organisation). Ha-Joon Chang, Bad Samaritans- The Guilty Secret of Rich Nations and Threat to Global Prosperity.
Corruption is not just a current phenomenon in Nigeria. Our history shows that it has also been one of the justifications for military take-over of government in times past which has only increased geometrically now. With Nigeria having reputation for corruption, almost all aspects of our national life suffers from retarded growth including education, power, health, infrastructures, politics, industries, government, judiciary, and NGOs while religious organisations are no exception. It is now so endemic that a sizable number of our population (who also indulge and/or benefit from corruption) have lost hope that we can never get out of it, at least, in this generation.
The UNDP once described corruption as “the misuse of public power, office and authority for private gain through bribe, influence, peddling, nepotism, fraud, speed money or embezzlement”. The Zambian Anti-Corruption Commission also described it as “soliciting, acceptance, obtaining, giving, promising or offering of gratification by way of bribe or other personal temptation or inducement or the misuse of a public office for private advantage or benefit”. These two descriptions may not be exhaustive but substantially cover the field of corrupt practices. Chang’s statement on violation of trust is a constant factor in all forms of corruption.
To be real, we cannot refuse to acknowledge the causes of corruption which are critical to addressing the scourge. Not peculiar to Nigeria only, corruption may be caused by poor ethics and value system; poverty; illiteracy; tolerance; complex laws and procedures; complicated tax regime; weak government institutions; poor pay; low incentives; lack of transparency; monopoly by government-controlled enterprises on certain goods and services delivery; absence of effective political funding; and political desperation among others. All these have made Nigeria the 33rd most corrupt country according to World Corrupt index 2011. The reality of Nigeria becoming one of the 20 leading economies by 2050 is largely dependent on the solution to these causes.
Currently, corruption is a strong impediment to our national development, even as government decisions are easily influenced and/or distorted, infrastructural development fall below the required standard, the quality of education (which is quintessential to our future and prosperity) continues to be compromised, public leadership is more for private gain than public good, the civil service encourage bureaucracy that slows growth process, focus is on fast money by older, youth and younger generations as opposed to productivity and professional competencies with value development. These national realities frustrate development process and demand immediate solution for our national dream to come true.
Taking a hint from countries that take measures in reduction of the scourge of corruption, the solution covers education, punishment and development which we shall consider briefly.
Education: In view of the national vision to become one of the 20 leading economies, which corruption keeps frustrating, it is necessary to take initiative to enlighten the public on the benefit of transparency and shunning corrupt practices on the one hand, and the evil of corruption to common good on the other hand. All hands must be on deck for this. Government institutions must be involved, educational institutions and religious institutions must take the campaign of a corrupt-free nation seriously for national development.
While some have argued that those who sit on the throne of corruption will not concern themselves with such education, it is more important to guard against the continued spread. It is most likely that such education will reduce corrupt practices in the country.
Education: In view of the national vision to become one of the 20 leading economies, which corruption keeps frustrating, it is necessary to take initiative to enlighten the public on the benefit of transparency and shunning corrupt practices on the one hand, and the evil of corruption to common good on the other hand. All hands must be on deck for this. Government institutions must be involved, educational institutions and religious institutions must take the campaign of a corrupt-free nation seriously for national development.
While some have argued that those who sit on the throne of corruption will not concern themselves with such education, it is more important to guard against the continued spread. It is most likely that such education will reduce corrupt practices in the country.
Punishment: This is necessary to make those who engage in such practices suffer for indulging in practices that militate against national development and also serve as deterrence to many others. It was in this spirit that the Independent Commission against Corrupt Practices (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were established. It is necessary for these institutions and other law enforcement agencies to be efficient and effective and without bias in the prosecution of corrupt people. An independent judiciary is equally important as this is the hope of the people to make corrupt people (especially leaders) accountable. It is more important for the judiciary to purge and protect itself from all forms of corruption. The rule of law must be upheld for the realisation of our national vision. It is noteworthy that Nigeria has concerned itself more on punishment for corrupt practices than other options to reduce it.
Development: Though corruption is a strong impediment to development, yet, development may be the most potent way to reduce corruption. The place of poverty in corruption cannot be emphasised (though poverty is no justification).“When people are poor, it is easy to buy their dignity- starving people find it difficult not to sell their votes for a bag of flour, while under paid civil servants will often fail to resist the temptation to take a bribe”- Chang.
A level of economic development is required to discourage corruption thereby enhancing further development necessary to facilitate the national vision of becoming one of the 20 leading economies. What will enable the necessary economic development includes the provision of basic infrastructures like power, transportation, education, and healthcare. These can work wonders in reducing corruption.
Development: Though corruption is a strong impediment to development, yet, development may be the most potent way to reduce corruption. The place of poverty in corruption cannot be emphasised (though poverty is no justification).“When people are poor, it is easy to buy their dignity- starving people find it difficult not to sell their votes for a bag of flour, while under paid civil servants will often fail to resist the temptation to take a bribe”- Chang.
A level of economic development is required to discourage corruption thereby enhancing further development necessary to facilitate the national vision of becoming one of the 20 leading economies. What will enable the necessary economic development includes the provision of basic infrastructures like power, transportation, education, and healthcare. These can work wonders in reducing corruption.
Having attempted to connect education, punishment and development to reducing corruption, I will like to mention the place of leadership.
Leadership is everything, as everything rise and fall on leadership. We can discuss education, punishment and development in reducing corruption, but if there’s no leadership to drive these to play their respective roles in the national vision, they remain in the realm of theory.
The stand of leaders at the central and constituent levels in any setting is instrumental to the increase or reduction of corrupt practices. A leader who does not indulge in corrupt practices and refuse to be lured is more likely to achieve reduction thereby facilitating national development. On the other hand, a leader who indulges or may be does not indulge in corruption but does nothing at discouraging it will have a regime that increases corruption thereby making the national vision remain fictitious.
It is Leadership that can take initiative to remedy all the situations that cause corruption. Without effective and dedicated leadership, it is impossible to have a corrupt-free society and without a corrupt-free society, national dreams such as becoming a leading economy in the world is illusory. We need a country where holders of offices in any setting mention by Chang will not violate the trust vested in them by stakeholders; we need a country whose population does not struggle to feed or have unrestricted access to primary healthcare; we need a country of educated and enlightened citizens; and we need a country that values national interest over private gain. These will bring about the beginning of the end of the era of corruption.
Leadership is everything, as everything rise and fall on leadership. We can discuss education, punishment and development in reducing corruption, but if there’s no leadership to drive these to play their respective roles in the national vision, they remain in the realm of theory.
The stand of leaders at the central and constituent levels in any setting is instrumental to the increase or reduction of corrupt practices. A leader who does not indulge in corrupt practices and refuse to be lured is more likely to achieve reduction thereby facilitating national development. On the other hand, a leader who indulges or may be does not indulge in corruption but does nothing at discouraging it will have a regime that increases corruption thereby making the national vision remain fictitious.
It is Leadership that can take initiative to remedy all the situations that cause corruption. Without effective and dedicated leadership, it is impossible to have a corrupt-free society and without a corrupt-free society, national dreams such as becoming a leading economy in the world is illusory. We need a country where holders of offices in any setting mention by Chang will not violate the trust vested in them by stakeholders; we need a country whose population does not struggle to feed or have unrestricted access to primary healthcare; we need a country of educated and enlightened citizens; and we need a country that values national interest over private gain. These will bring about the beginning of the end of the era of corruption.
The reality of Nigeria becoming the 13th largest economy by 2050 according to Pricewaterhouse Coopers January, 2013 report will be aided by a corrupt-free society. In fact, there is no such dream where corruption in endemic.
Olusola Akinyemi Esq.
President
Joseph Initiative Ltd/Gte
President
Joseph Initiative Ltd/Gte
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