₦airaland Forum

NIGERIA’S PROBLEMS ARE COS OF CORRUPTION
In the latest Corruption Perception Index released by Transparency International in 2018, Nigeria has relapsed deeper into corruption. In 2001, we were ranked the 2nd most corrupt nation in the world.

Even our anti-corruption agencies are corrupt- Former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde was accused of diverting N1trn from recovered proceeds of corruption. The warriors of corruption are corrupt themselves.

US Senators make approximately $174,000 annually while Nigerian Senators make $2,183,685 making them the highest paid lawmakers in the world which is ironic because we seem to be such a lawless country.

Some years ago, during election periods in Nigeria, little children across the country always went missing. These children were kidnapped by corrupt politicians to perform ritual killings for their protection and victory during elections.

Election rigging: During elections, candidates hire thugs who steal ballot boxes and buy voters’ card to manipulate the elections to favor them.

In Nigeria, bribery seems to be the order of the day. From civil servants to government officials and police officers, bribes are unfortunately becoming more necessary than National ID cards.

Even our courts are not exempted from the corruption menace. A place where the oppressed go to seek justice has become unreliable because the rich are now able to bribe judges and attorneys. Who, then, will uphold the law?

Some problems we have in Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges is because of corruption. Funds allocated to these schools are rarely used for the right purpose, lecturers also take advantage of their position and demand material and sexual favors from students for good grades. If our legal system was as efficient as it should be, these vices would be curtailed, it is however, on a rise.

Most Nigerians would disagree with the popular saying “The Police is your friend” because the police force is inundated with bribery, corruption, intimidation, sexual harassment of inmates, half-truths. While there may be some good eggs in the force, the rotten ones have left a permanently bad taste in Nigerians’ mouths.

Police checkpoints which are supposed to be a security measure have been turned into toll gates for extorting motorists.

In the Nigerian Football Federation, match fixing and corruption have led to sanctions against clubs, referees and officials. A Catholic priest officiating a local league football match narrated how he was threatened by some officials to sway the odds in their favor.

Many churches in Nigeria are as corrupt as the government. Individuals now pose as men of God in order to extort money and gifts from the hopeful.

Internet fraud: Young Nigerians now scam unsuspecting people online using via different techniques. Some use host websites claiming to offer employment for a fee, or pose as someone else and extort people on social media sites.

In the Nigerian Customs, bribes are as important as licenses. Hardworking Nigerians are subjected to paying huge bribes to clear their goods. This discourages and hinders business men and women from carrying out their business operations.

According to the World Bank Group, 68% of Nigerians are living in poverty. The harsh business environment in the country makes it difficult for the average Nigerian to earn a living and cater for basic needs.

Poor National Development: Our economy is crippled, infrastructure is lacking, development is stunted because any country with high corruption levels is likely to experience developmental bankruptcy.

Nigeria's problems stem from the wickedness of man's heart.

Man's heart is wicked because it is corrupt

Lifediary:
Nigeria's problems stem from the wickedness of man's heart.