I read a numbers of interesting articles
dealings with subject of bribery and
corruption.I quite agree with many of the
contributors that the canker-worm bribery
and corruption has actually eaten deep into
the fabric of our society. The social diseases of bribery and corruption now stinks in our
society like a bad ulcer. It is even infectious
and it has infected the Christians, the Moslems
and the pagans alike. Thus almost everybody
in involved and so it has become a vicious
circle. For instance, the employer takes bribes from
the poor applicant before the employs him or
her and when he is employed, the applicant
( now tan employee) in turn,steals from his
employer.
Of course, it is not only the employer who takes bribes,the policeman and custom
officials, by the nature of their work,are more
often found guilty of bribery and corruption
than any other people in other walks of
life.For instance, the corrupt traffic
policeman and the FRSC takes bribes from the reckless drivers and allows him to drive with
worn-out tyres and even without driving
license.
Similarily, the dishonest custom official takes
bribes from the die-hard smugglers and lets
him go free.Policeman and custom officials are however, not the only culprits.The disease
of bribery and corruption has spread far and
wide to other fields.For instance, the
unscrupulous government auditor takes
bribes from the chief accountant and
connives at his embezzlement of government funds. The dishonest tax assessment officer in
the ministry of inland revenue takes bribes
form the big business tycoon and reduces his
tax considerably.The government engineers
responsible for the building of public
palaces,engineers everything for his own pocket; he see the half of the government
building materials are clearly diverted to his
private building.Those who award
government contracts have earned for
themselves in this country, the notorious ( or
famous in the society?) name of ten per centers! And even in the university lecturers
award undeserved high marks to the beautiful
female undergraduate he fancies! Yes, that is
“bottom power” at work!
The funny thing is that here is this country
those who publicly and vehemently condemn bribery and corruption are those who put up
mansions for themselves with the money
acquired by foul means.Everybody in this
country, says ” country no good”; too much of
bribery and corruption!But it is all talk,talk; all
bla, bla!The question is how many people are free from bribery and corruption in this
country?How many people are really honest?
Many of us never even to stop alarming the
effects of bribery and corruption on the
individuals and the society as a whole.For
instance,nobody can deny the fact that the federal , state government and the various
government agencies lose much of their
annually revenue through corrupt practices
of governors,deputies, speakers, civil
servant,officers and justices, who deliver a
shamble judgment to the masses. But that apart,bribery and corruption
debased the individuals and rob them their
sense of value and sound principles.Hard
labour and honesty is scorned at and laziness
is encouraged.All that people want is the
shortest possible cut to easy money.The honest man is discouraged.Honesty is no
longer the best policy.The honest man now
finds out painful that honest no longer pays.
And when individuals are blinded by
materialism;when they no longer have sense of
values, when honesty is thrown over-board and the twin evils of bribery and corruption
become the order pf the day, them such a
society is doomed forever.
Is there any hope for this country? Is there
anyway out? who will be the great physician
to cure our sick society and purge us all the of the twin evils of bribery and corruption?
When the Military Government came to power
they promised to stamp out all form of
bribery and corruption but is too tyrannical
without liberty.As a matter of fact, their ugly
heads have become uglier and bigger! However, I still believe that there must be a
way out. After all, where there is a will, there
is a way. This means, if we really want to put
an end to bribery and corruption, every body
in the country must be involved; we must all be
determined to turn a new leaf and change our sense of value.In short, there must be a
revolution in our society.once our society get
the right message, the right to govern well,
then we will begin to see bribery and
corruption as two deadly evils that must be
avoided. Secondly, the various government must
enforce very strict laws with
punishment.Anybody found guilty of bribery
and corruption,whatever the social position,
must be dealt with severely.Hitherto, a poor
pick-pocket who stole ten naria is thrown into prison whereas a VIP who embezzle
trillions of naria belonging to the government
is left free. such a partial attitude should no
longer exist.
Then,of course, while the government and the
citizens should be punished severely for those found guilty, it must also give handsome
rewards to those who have been found
extremely honest in the position of trust. This
will go a long way to prove to the people
that after all, honesty really pays.
From Me Fatdon2