Some times when you decide to criticize somebody in a manner that will attract readers sensibility, it is fair to draw a constructive criticism- that can be compared with history. There is something most Nigerian writers, critics and other concern Nigerians fail to grasp in this phenomenon called corruption. And it is, that- history has provided us with too many  evidence from different part of the globe on how   multinational companies shady practices, political corruptions, rich countries protectionist anti trust laws, discriminating bidding practices and illegal money laundry activities has contributed to our present level of civilization. These things are contributory drivers of industrialization or what ever name you can call it. You can not eliminate them from the system/society. One way or the other they fit in the web of economic development. For instance the American way of life we are trying to imitate  today was built by Irish, Italian and Jewish immigrants, who  refused to continue living in poverty in slumps in rat infected areas as Harlem and Brooklyn(at the time). They aggressively result to making money by any means necessary- to find a better life for themselves. This resulted in the rise in organize criminal activities and hence the Mafia. They made a lot of money through their illegal activities, and as their businesses became bigger, they consolidate their internal structure. After that they began to make this money clean- by investing in legitimate businesses and real estates. Hence the emergence of what you know today as Wall Street( most of the businesses traded there are owned by the great grand children of these people). Also, all those posh areas in central park Manhattan in New York and the casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic city was built by these people. Also go back in history, and trace the background of all American presidents from the 1920s till date- they have got ties with the men of the underworld. From F.D Roosevelt( linked to Tammany Hall racketeering n political corruption), Lyndon Johnson(Edgar Hoovers Connection with the mafia), John F Kennedy( Father was a bootlegger in Chicago- his death was even linked to the mob and FBI), Pres Nixon, Republican Senator McCain(Wife parents riches linked to the heydays of prohibition), even Clinton not to talk of our newly found mentor Obama- who started his political career in a state whose political structure has been corrupted long before he was born by the notorious  Billionaire ALphonse Capone a.k.a Al Capone(there are also stories of Obamas relationship with corrupt rich Jews). So readers, the Nigerian case is not different. My advice will be for us to look for ways to use corruption to facilitate economic growth and development- for we can not stop it. Instead we can make something creative with it. or what do you think?  In America- sometimes, the CIA, and other government agencies work with organize crime bosses and mobsters to achieve an objective that will be of national interest. For example the invasion of Cuba which was specifically aimed at removing  the government of Fidel Castro, and the successful invasion and defeat of Italy under Benito Mussolini during WW11. Nigerians and our leaders should think and stop shouting criminals in government everyday. Such kindergarten reasoning is far from the level of intelligence required to attain leadership in world affairs.

Makes sense.
But corruption is stil bad 2 d society.

This is claptrap.

The mafia made money the dirty way and invested back into the yankee economy: Las Vegas etc.

The corrupt politicians steal our money and invest it in foreign countries.

Two different things.

The only thing we have comparable to the mafia is our yahoo boys. Our yahoo boys are a blessing to the economy as they bring in money from outside Nigeria and invest it inside Nigeria. Lets raise a toast to the yahoo boys, not the idiot politicians.

Ibime- i dont totally agree with u.

Not all politicians steal money and invest abroad. What about those that invest in Airline businesses, shoppin malls, banks pwnership, schools ( like atiku) etc.

Some good once invest at home.ok

fegflu:

Ibime- i dont totally agree with u.

Not all politicians steal money and invest abroad. What about those that invest in Airline businesses, shoppin malls, banks pwnership, schools ( like atiku) etc.

Some good once invest at home.ok

Do you know what Atiku has abroad?

You should see how his sons in Cardiff University were living.

Forget story.

For every Naira Atiku has in Nigeria, he has another 50 Naira abroad.

Those idiots will never invest in Naija cos they know there is no future in Naija - as they are the ones supposed to be taking care of the future.

Even if atiku hav more investmnt abroad. A goodnumber of them invest in Nigeria. The list is endless- i can count them

So what, does that give them licence to steal our money?

They all represent a net loss to the economy.

Yahoo boys on the other hand represent a net gain, although people will argue that the bad reputation they give Naija actually stops foreign investors from coming in. Either way, corruption is no force for good. OBJ is the first Naija President I know of to use corruption as a means to a good end, and look where that has got us.

Since corruption can no b stop.
Let them continue but they shuld try and take example from UAE, and Russia.
Develop your house. We need development.

This is the most misleading piece I have read on NL.

Stop comparing the activities of the Mafia and the Jewish struggle for survival with the mind boggling greed that runs haywire in the Nigerian Government.

Go and read about the origin of the Mafia,  this was an organisation that essential started with the downtrodden and poverty stricken men who wanted to make a living. There was a need for survival . An analagous thing happened with the Jews.

Now lets take a look at the Nigerian situation. Is there need for survival amongst our politicians or is it just pure animalistic greed?
Teachers are not paid, Educational system is in shambles , No power or water , roads are in terrible condition as a result of the activities of these corrupt politicians and yet someone sees some good in it    Nigerians are funny.

Uche2nna,

'Now lets take a look at the Nigerian situation. Is there need for survival amongst our politicians or is it just pure animalistic greed'

My Answer:
Yes there is a need for survival- because they realise that wen they leave the position, it will be very very difficult to queue an get ur pension.
Also It will be extremely difficult to get medical treatment from state health system after u leave office.
Finally It will be veri difficult for the state to help u support ur family wit benefits or welfare packages after leave office.

these are some of the reason they choose to make provision for their pensions, for medical and health problems, and for family upkeep before they leave office- by enriching their accounts.

thank you very much uchenna, ifnfact, God bless you.

This poster is misled, how can you assume under any circumstance that corruption is good for any society?how can you even begin to justify that? comapring the mafia to government corruption in nigeria. do you think that if the u.s government was historically as corrupt as nigeria,they'd be where they are today? i mean seriously!!nigerian version of corruption is the most venomous as it involves sucking capital out of society and reinvesting it oversees where europeans gain from it. if a governor steals public money meant for improving infrastructure in his state and lodges this money in the u.k,who is benefitting? let me correct some of the isses you raised point by point
1. solid infrastructure attracts foreign investors i:e power
2. corruption turns investors away from a country because corruption is percieved as a major sign of political instability
3. lack of proper financial checks in a country discourages investors i:e what happens if he/she is defrauded?
4. the mafia does more harm to society than good,they dont pay taxes on the illegal commodities they trade on firstly,secondly, they cost the government money in rehabilitation of drug users, every productive citizen snatched away by drugs is a loss for the government and collective society.
5. what does the mafia invest in, casinos
6. corruption is the devil,it devalues society in every sense and it undermines the progress and development of people.
7. corruption cannot be used for good, you're advocating stealing money from the people so as to re-invest that money in the economy,is there a point to that??
8. nobody is saying stop corruption 100%,thats not quite possible but keep it as minimal as possible.the monumental greed by nigerian leaders has not,cannot and will never help nigeria in anyway,its a vice and a crime.
9. money thats meant to improve e:g education is stolen and used to invest in a business,so if that trend becomes normal,those businesses will resort to hiring illiterates who have 0 capacity of modern innovation that can assist local businesses compete globally. so back to square one.
10. if corruption is a way forward, howcome the least corrupt countries in the world enjoy the highest standard of living in the world?? i:e scandanavia

you see you are totally wrong and youre probably a child from the way you're reasoning.what kind of non sensical beleif is this?

@flegflu

how can they have health care when they have stolen all the money meant for developing that sector? how can they have pension when they have created a system where pension funds are squandered and embezzled?? how?? abeg use your brain now,haba.