By Tosin Adesile
Corruption is endemic in Nigeria. You cannot totally detach Nigeria from it and the people’s way of life. A big monster, especially among government officials-political appointees and civil Servants, it is that bad. It doesn’t also leave out those in the Private sector as well.
There has been several debates on how to kill corruption in Nigeria before it kills us as a nation but unfortunately, the only way forward is to reduce corruption, stopping it doesn’t look feasible based on current reality.
Nigeria is 61 years Old. Since it gained Independence, the country had struggled to get its feet together as a result of massive looting by few privileged -civilians and past military leaders. This has robbed many of the good future they ought to have gotten if the country’s resources was well managed but unfortunately, the reverse is the case.
At 61,the young and Old are emigrating en mass in search for better lives abroad, in spite of that, our leaders are of the opinion that those leaving won’t be missed as we have enough qualified people left in the country. This statement was credited to the Minister of Labour and Productivity-Dr. Chris Ngige on Doctors traveling out in search of better life.
The country is richly gifted, but for mismanagement and bad leadership, that is why many are finding it hard to survive.
The truth is, there are certain individuals making the country ungovernable. Those people are not far from those in power while some are friends to them. This is largely responsible for government inaction to remedy the abnormality.
Today, insecurity, kidnapping, unemployment, rise in high cost of goods and killings are the order of the day. All we get from the government are empty promises to tackle the confronting challenges. This nonchalant attitude of the government has given more boost to those perpetrating those heronious act instead of introducing a sanction to curb those behind the evil act.
Nigeria is a country where politicians steal without looking back. They are very aggressive and selfish when doing this. The country is currently getting back the loots of the Late General Sanni Abacha, former Military President while there are still many others hanging in different accounts.
During a personal brain storming session on the way forward for our dear country, I found out that there is solution to our problem in our problem. This has led to the big question: What is the gain of corruption in Nigeria?
How about our politicians looting the fund that belongs to all by establishing businesses to employ our unemployed youths? How about politicians instituting endowments that could cater for indigents children to be able to enjoy education like other children? How about health Scheme by politicians for those with serious life threatening diseases? How about our law makers legislating on matters that will benefit and correct various ills in the society? How about those involved in kidnapping turning a new leaf with the mind of getting a new Nigeria?
All things are possible if we truly want to repair the country. Things have degenerated badly but before we start casting aspersion on how we got to this level, can we ask our corrupt leaders, what are the gains of corruption in Nigeria? If there are gains of corruption in Nigeria,at least,our lives should have been better a little since 1960.