BEING A PAPER DELIVERED AT THE 2ND NANS KWARA UNITY WEEK IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 20TH CORONATION ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS ALHAJI (DR.) IBRAHIM SULU GAMBARI CFR, MAIMARTABA, EMIR OF ILORIN ON THE 7TH NOVEMBER, 2015 AT AL-HIKMAH UNIVERSITY, ILORIN, KWARA STATE BY ALHAJI MAMMAN ABUBAKAR YUSUF, PRESIDENT, CBN STAFF MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED.
Introduction
I am pleased to be part of this event which I consider a moment of reflection with mixed feelings of joy and sadness. Firstly, I am happy for the opportunity to celebrate yet another moment of greatness with our beloved Royal Father, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari CFR, Emir of Ilorin, who turns twenty years on his exalted throne.
I am pleased to be part of this event which I consider a moment of reflection with mixed feelings of joy and sadness. Firstly, I am happy for the opportunity to celebrate yet another moment of greatness with our beloved Royal Father, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari CFR, Emir of Ilorin, who turns twenty years on his exalted throne.
I say a hearty congratulation to you, Your Majesty. May the Almighty God preserve your reign. Secondly, I am sad because our country Nigeria has been held down by the evil called corruption. Corruption as the item of our discussion today has dragged Nigeria to a regretful state.
However, one feature I find thrilling about this occasion is that our much vilified student body (NANS), variously accused for compromising some of our cherished values is the same element blazing the trail of projecting this pressing issue called corruption, most probably to take stock of our efforts thus far and possibly redefine our strategies and commitment to fighting the scourge. This, to me, is quite commendable and inspiring.
The protocol list of the personalities gathered here today speaks volume of who is who in this great city of Ilorin and beyond which largely accentuates the importance of this occasion. I feel honoured for the privilege given me to share my view on the subject of our discussion with you.
Your Excellences, Your Royal Majesties, Your Highnesses, Justices, distinguished ladies and gentlemen; it is no longer news today that corruption is Nigeria’s greatest undoing. It has placed the country in a state of disrepute. It has corroded our national value, leaving it with a tainted image in the international community while concerned minds at the home front are bleeding over the despicable state of things. Nigeria as a country, by every parameter may be grouped among the world greatest countries. When the colonial enclaves were being granted independence at the beginning of the second half of the 20th century, it was predicted by world’s leaders of thought that Nigeria, Brazil and India would join the association of developed nations by the end of the century. Indeed, while Brazil and India have broken the fetters of underdevelopment, our country Nigeria is still held far behind. Not only that it is lagging behind, it has refused to strive to catch up with her mates. This exactly constitutes the heartbreak! What is responsible for this unfortunate turn of events? One may choose to ask. The virus called corruption will most likely emerge the consensus and chorus answer from all genuine lips.
Mr. Chairman distinguished ladies and gentlemen discussing this topic, I neither claim to have the answers to all the questions that may arise nor do I claim infallibility, but it is my passionate hope that at the end of this celebration, we would be adequately clued-up and electrified to work for the salvation of our dear country.
Yes, agreed, corruption is unarguably a global phenomenon as no country of the world can be said to be freed from it. It is a universal social evil that exists in virtually all world societies in varying degrees across the different countries- from the most developed countries of Britain, USA, Germany; the developing ones of South Africa, Malaysia, India, Nigeria and to the less developed ones of Niger, Afganistan, Uzbekistan; they are all grappling with the menace of corruption at varying scales. It is not a peculiar case to Nigeria. What is however sickening in our case is the reckless manner in which the scourge pervades all the strata of our society, particularly when judging from the level of its development and the quantum resources at her disposal. There is a scourge bedeviling our nation and the source everyone knows is corruption (EFCC, 2010). For decades, Transparency International, a global anti-graft agency, has continually rated Nigeria among the top corrupt nations. Nigeria has consistently been a favourable competitor in the first tenth place in global corruption ranking. Buhari, (2004) pointed out that it is pertinent to assert that Nigeria is regarded as one of the top most corrupt countries in Africa because government in Nigeria is the major supplier of funds within the nation’s socio –political and economic system, courtesy of its rich oil resources.
Corruption- a conceptual perspective
Defining the term ‘corruption’ appears very elusive and fluidic. By my understanding, the obscurity in evolving a comprehensive definition of corruption suggests a factor that has made it very thorny to deal with. This is because most people indulge in odd practices they do not consider as corruption. Little wonder that one of our past Presidents was tempted to say stealing is not corruption. The fight against corruption becomes largely productive when we truly understand what comprises corruption.
Defining the term ‘corruption’ appears very elusive and fluidic. By my understanding, the obscurity in evolving a comprehensive definition of corruption suggests a factor that has made it very thorny to deal with. This is because most people indulge in odd practices they do not consider as corruption. Little wonder that one of our past Presidents was tempted to say stealing is not corruption. The fight against corruption becomes largely productive when we truly understand what comprises corruption.
According to the World Bank (1997), corruption is “the abuse of public office for private gains. Public office is abused for private gain when an official accepts, solicits, or extorts a bribe. It is also abused when private agents actively offer bribes to circumvent public policies and processes for competitive advantages and profit. Public office can also be abused for personal benefits even if no bribe occurs, through patronage and nepotism, the theft of state assets or the diversion of state resources.”
The Oxford English Dictionary, 2001 presents a broader definition of corruption as perversion or destruction of integrity in the discharge of public duties by bribery and favour. By implication, corruption comes in various forms and a wide array of illicit behavior, such as bribery, extortion, fraud, nepotism, graft, speed money, pilferage, theft, embezzlement, falsification of records, kickbacks, influence peddling and campaign contributions (Klitgaard, 1999). To put it more succinctly, the term “corruption” describes any act that runs at variance to the expected ethical standard of behavior. Corruption connotes rottenness, impurity, defilement, filthiness and all sort of ignoble acts we usually excused, no matter how petty. Am afraid, by these definitions, how many among us can beat his or her chest and say “am free”?
The Oxford English Dictionary, 2001 presents a broader definition of corruption as perversion or destruction of integrity in the discharge of public duties by bribery and favour. By implication, corruption comes in various forms and a wide array of illicit behavior, such as bribery, extortion, fraud, nepotism, graft, speed money, pilferage, theft, embezzlement, falsification of records, kickbacks, influence peddling and campaign contributions (Klitgaard, 1999). To put it more succinctly, the term “corruption” describes any act that runs at variance to the expected ethical standard of behavior. Corruption connotes rottenness, impurity, defilement, filthiness and all sort of ignoble acts we usually excused, no matter how petty. Am afraid, by these definitions, how many among us can beat his or her chest and say “am free”?
The Transparency International gave two broad classifications of corruption to include grand and petty corruption. Whereas grand corruption consist of acts committed at a high level of government that distort policies or the central functioning of the state, enabling leaders to benefit at the expense of the public good; petty corruption refers to everyday abuse of entrusted power by low- and mid-level public official in their interactions with ordinary citizens, who often are trying to access basic goods or services in places like hospitals, schools, police departments and other agencies.
The former governor of River State, Rotimi Ameachi was therefore, apt at the Senate Ministerial Screening when he stated, “corruption is difficult to define. If you are a public officer and you don’t take bribe- I have never taken bribe in my life- but they send a girl to you and you sleep with the girl and do that favour, you are corrupt”(Punch, 29/10/2015, p.16). Ameachi’s definition of corruption may just be an instructive caution to randy lecturers in higher institutions of learning who sexually harass our female students, yet come out in vehement condemnation of corruption in the public. It is my sincere hope that at the end of the discussion more persons would begin to view corruption from its broad and inclusive perspective and by that, we are most likely to discover that there exist just a thin line of difference between a student who ‘just’ cheats in an examination hall and a director in a government Ministry who is stealing millions from public purse. The difference between both may just be time and opportunity. Essentially therefore, corruption is a state of the mind and its susceptibility to uprightness or immorality.
The former governor of River State, Rotimi Ameachi was therefore, apt at the Senate Ministerial Screening when he stated, “corruption is difficult to define. If you are a public officer and you don’t take bribe- I have never taken bribe in my life- but they send a girl to you and you sleep with the girl and do that favour, you are corrupt”(Punch, 29/10/2015, p.16). Ameachi’s definition of corruption may just be an instructive caution to randy lecturers in higher institutions of learning who sexually harass our female students, yet come out in vehement condemnation of corruption in the public. It is my sincere hope that at the end of the discussion more persons would begin to view corruption from its broad and inclusive perspective and by that, we are most likely to discover that there exist just a thin line of difference between a student who ‘just’ cheats in an examination hall and a director in a government Ministry who is stealing millions from public purse. The difference between both may just be time and opportunity. Essentially therefore, corruption is a state of the mind and its susceptibility to uprightness or immorality.
Brief overview of corruption in Nigeria
A cursory look at the situation in our nation is bound to leave one with the sad realization that corruption has entrenched itself in virtually all aspects of our life. At the governmental level, it flourishes in the areas of project costing; ghost workers syndrome; contract awards, contract/project kickback and their subsequent abandonment; disbursement of huge sums of money to political godfathers; embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds; among others.
A cursory look at the situation in our nation is bound to leave one with the sad realization that corruption has entrenched itself in virtually all aspects of our life. At the governmental level, it flourishes in the areas of project costing; ghost workers syndrome; contract awards, contract/project kickback and their subsequent abandonment; disbursement of huge sums of money to political godfathers; embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds; among others.
Our institutions of learning are losing their dignity fast as corruption takes its toll on them; monetization of certificate, examination malpractice, prostitution and cultism amongst students and some staff members are now their common features. Intrinsically, our homes are major culprits. Parents are increasingly failing in their primary responsibility of parenting and training the child, leading to delinquencies and all the attendant evil such as armed robbery, gangsterism, thuggery and all forms of misdemeanor.
Our religious institutions are not spared. Materialism and all sort of strange doctrines are dislodging the original message. Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly could not have been wrong when he was alleged to have said that, “not until the religious leaders, including himself, were incarcerated, there wouldn’t be sanity in the churches”, stating further “that churches have failed their congregations, as pastors have now become tyrants, oppressors and leaders without care for their followers” Corruption has posed severe challenge to economic development in the country and undermined democracy and good governance by subverting the electoral process and government procedures (Odo,2015).
Our religious institutions are not spared. Materialism and all sort of strange doctrines are dislodging the original message. Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly could not have been wrong when he was alleged to have said that, “not until the religious leaders, including himself, were incarcerated, there wouldn’t be sanity in the churches”, stating further “that churches have failed their congregations, as pastors have now become tyrants, oppressors and leaders without care for their followers” Corruption has posed severe challenge to economic development in the country and undermined democracy and good governance by subverting the electoral process and government procedures (Odo,2015).
Highlight of predisposing factors of corruption in Nigeria
Generally, the causes of corruption in Nigeria may be attributed to the interplay of several factors. Essentially however, the under highlighted factor are chief among the factors predisposing the country to corruption: Unemployment and poverty, survival instinct, low or death of moral value; lack of transparency and accountability, greed and insatiability, poor enforcement institution, and leadership failure among others.
Generally, the causes of corruption in Nigeria may be attributed to the interplay of several factors. Essentially however, the under highlighted factor are chief among the factors predisposing the country to corruption: Unemployment and poverty, survival instinct, low or death of moral value; lack of transparency and accountability, greed and insatiability, poor enforcement institution, and leadership failure among others.
It remains highly inexplicable to any sane mind as to how unemployment has ballooned itself to the present rate of 7.5% (National Bureau for Statistics, 2015), with over half of the population reportedly below poverty line amidst the enormous resources of the country. The above situation cant but breed poverty, and the determination to, at least live, exposes one to all sort of crooked and unlawful surviving strategies, hence the abundance of petty corruption. Exacerbating this is greed, insatiability and the acute drop in moral value which gives way to the ‘‘end justify the means” syndrome. On the side of the government and leaders, the absence of transparency, accountability and purposeful leadership have created the most fertile ground for corruption to soar to high heavens.
Effect of corruption on Nigeria (1999-date)
The return of civil rule in 1999 after the last military interregnum was received amidst high hope and expectations by Nigerians who have yearned for an upright nation where leaders would be responsible, accountable, transparent, visionary and exemplary. Alas! It is fifteen years down the lane, what became of those great dreams? Sadly, they have been dashed and shattered! Corruption has prevented any tangible development in the country. Governance within the period under review appeared to have been defined only by corruption, lack of accountability and transparency. Resulting from the above is the acute deprivation and denial of the citizens, the resources needed to make lives worth living. In effect, the resources of the country are poorly managed and developed. Youth unemployment has reached mega-proportion, armed robbery, insurgency, kidnapping and human trafficking becoming very lucrative ventures in the country.
Corruption is anti-development such that Nigeria, despite its rich endowment in resources is perpetually seeking for foreign aid while what is corruptly taken away from the national treasury is often over and above the loan expected from the World Bank, Paris and London Clubs (Odo, 2015). The force of corruption on the Nigerian society is very crushing. It has posed severe challenges to socio-political and economic development in the country, undermining democracy and good governance by sabotaging the electoral practice and governmental procedures.
Effect of corruption on Nigeria (1999-date)
The return of civil rule in 1999 after the last military interregnum was received amidst high hope and expectations by Nigerians who have yearned for an upright nation where leaders would be responsible, accountable, transparent, visionary and exemplary. Alas! It is fifteen years down the lane, what became of those great dreams? Sadly, they have been dashed and shattered! Corruption has prevented any tangible development in the country. Governance within the period under review appeared to have been defined only by corruption, lack of accountability and transparency. Resulting from the above is the acute deprivation and denial of the citizens, the resources needed to make lives worth living. In effect, the resources of the country are poorly managed and developed. Youth unemployment has reached mega-proportion, armed robbery, insurgency, kidnapping and human trafficking becoming very lucrative ventures in the country.
Corruption is anti-development such that Nigeria, despite its rich endowment in resources is perpetually seeking for foreign aid while what is corruptly taken away from the national treasury is often over and above the loan expected from the World Bank, Paris and London Clubs (Odo, 2015). The force of corruption on the Nigerian society is very crushing. It has posed severe challenges to socio-political and economic development in the country, undermining democracy and good governance by sabotaging the electoral practice and governmental procedures.
Fighting Corruption in Nigeria
Efforts checking corruption in Nigeria are no doubt as old as Nigeria itself. Upon the attainment of her independence in 1960 till date, several legal instruments in the forms of decree promulgation, legislation and agencies considered appropriate have been brought forth with the view to keeping corruption at bay. Whether these efforts have yielded the desired results remains to be seen.
Efforts checking corruption in Nigeria are no doubt as old as Nigeria itself. Upon the attainment of her independence in 1960 till date, several legal instruments in the forms of decree promulgation, legislation and agencies considered appropriate have been brought forth with the view to keeping corruption at bay. Whether these efforts have yielded the desired results remains to be seen.
Looking back from 1999 to date which is the focus of our discussion, you will agree that considerable efforts have been made at stemming the tide of corruption. The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were the first bold steps taken by the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo led federal government to check the menace of corruption in the country. The two bodies established in 2000 and 2013 respectively, have the mandate to, among other things, receive and investigate reports of corruption and in appropriate cases prosecute the offender(s).
In addition to the establishment of these institutions, some administrative and segmental reforms were undertaken to curb corruption. These measures include strict enforcement of financial regulations; the setting up of a “Due Process and Monitoring Office” with adequate checks and balances to ensure transparency in procedures for contracts and procurement; the monetization of fringe benefits for public servants; the initiative to commit pubic officials to a service compact with Nigerians (SERVICOM); Code of Conduct Tribunal etc. These measures were targeted at curbing corruption through the promotion of accountability and transparency.
Also, among other things, they are to educate and enlighten the public against corruption and related offences with a view to enlisting and fostering public support for the fight against corruption.
Various states of the federation have equally taken steps at checking corruption within their domains. States like Lagos introduced the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) in November 2003 by the Asiwaju Tinubu government to primarily ensure compliance with the cleanliness and sustainability of Lagos State environment. Kano Sate introduced Hisba Police Service in 2003 primarily to complement government’s effort in maintaining law and other. Various local communities in Nigeria have established groups such as vigilante outfits to ensure the social order in their communities. Also not left out are the numerous civil society organizations and Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs). Few among them include Nigeria United Against Corruption (NUAC), Action Aid (A.A), Monitor the Funds, Vanguard for Democratic Consciousness (VDC) among others.
Various states of the federation have equally taken steps at checking corruption within their domains. States like Lagos introduced the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) in November 2003 by the Asiwaju Tinubu government to primarily ensure compliance with the cleanliness and sustainability of Lagos State environment. Kano Sate introduced Hisba Police Service in 2003 primarily to complement government’s effort in maintaining law and other. Various local communities in Nigeria have established groups such as vigilante outfits to ensure the social order in their communities. Also not left out are the numerous civil society organizations and Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs). Few among them include Nigeria United Against Corruption (NUAC), Action Aid (A.A), Monitor the Funds, Vanguard for Democratic Consciousness (VDC) among others.
That these efforts have yielded little or no results should not be a surprise for some reasons. Firstly, the soul of corruption fights back when it is being fought because some elements within the society live large on it. This may explain why the leadership and personnel of some of these bodies are sometimes victimized, maligned, humiliated, and physically attacked. The summarily disengagement of Mr. Nuhu Ribado, the pioneer Chairman of the EFCC is a classic case in this regard. Secondly, the integrity of some of the anti graft bodies are brought under question, thus leaving us with a situation where we have to “watch the watcher”, “investigate the investigator” and “police the police”. The several allegation of corruption against the EFCC is a clear example. This makes the efforts counter-productive and a waste of scarce resources. Thirdly, weak enforcement institutions have frustrated efforts to halt corruption, creating only ripples in a cup of tea. People who stole public funds with impunity walk freely on the streets, flaunting their ill-gotten wealth.
Way Forward: The Task before the masses
While the government and leaders have the responsibility to arrest the rise in the incidents of corruption in the country, the people who form the preponderant majority of the population must be resolute to assert themselves in the war against corruption. Where the government, the judiciary fails to bring persons found guilty of corrupt practices to book in accordance with the laws of the land, the people can insist on a sane system by, first and foremost, purging themselves of all forms of corruption.
While the government and leaders have the responsibility to arrest the rise in the incidents of corruption in the country, the people who form the preponderant majority of the population must be resolute to assert themselves in the war against corruption. Where the government, the judiciary fails to bring persons found guilty of corrupt practices to book in accordance with the laws of the land, the people can insist on a sane system by, first and foremost, purging themselves of all forms of corruption.
The golden words of great Mahatma Gandhi convey it best when he said whoever desires a change on earth should start by being the change first”. No amount of laws and agencies can repeal corruption without the peoples’ reasonable involvement. We cannot be neck dip in illicit acts and all forms of petty corruption and yet accuse our leaders and politicians for same acts, no matter the forms in which they appear.
One of the effective ways we can police corruption is to constitute ourselves into watchdogs, whistle blowers and vanguards for saner society. The social media are there for us to expose corrupt practices in our neighborhoods and lunch massive campaign against all illicit acts. Specifically, we can stage war against corruption by doing the following among other things:
We should learn what our laws and convections relating to corruption expect of our government and its officials;
We should educate the public about the government’s responsibility to corruption-free society;
We should raise awareness with the public, media and government about the costs of corruption to key services sectors of the country;
We should report incidents of corruption;
We should refuse to participate in activities that are not legal and transparent.
We should learn what our laws and convections relating to corruption expect of our government and its officials;
We should educate the public about the government’s responsibility to corruption-free society;
We should raise awareness with the public, media and government about the costs of corruption to key services sectors of the country;
We should report incidents of corruption;
We should refuse to participate in activities that are not legal and transparent.
Conclusion
Corruption, in all its ramifications, has a far reaching harmful effect on the national consciousness. It ultimately weakens and distorts the whole system of good governance itself. Corruption blights the people’s opinion of what is right and wrong. The anti-corruption organizations and measures have not worked effectively to eradicate or, at least, curtail corruption in Nigeria because the people are not playing their indispensable and complementary role. Chief Femi Falana, perhaps, shares this position when he reportedly pointed out that the inability to tame corruption in Nigeria is not because Nigeria does not have sufficient laws to deal with the issue of corruption, adding that there may be very few countries with more anti-graft laws. He said the problem however, is that there is no political will in addition to the fact that our system harbours sacred cows and the “untouchables”. The led are critical subsystem of the Nigerian system. We can get our government to muster the political will to fight corruption. At this juncture, let me seize this opportunity to commend our enviable President Muhammadu Buhari for being steadfast in the war against corruption. He is earnestly able and ready to give the enabling leadership. Let us play our part.
Corruption, in all its ramifications, has a far reaching harmful effect on the national consciousness. It ultimately weakens and distorts the whole system of good governance itself. Corruption blights the people’s opinion of what is right and wrong. The anti-corruption organizations and measures have not worked effectively to eradicate or, at least, curtail corruption in Nigeria because the people are not playing their indispensable and complementary role. Chief Femi Falana, perhaps, shares this position when he reportedly pointed out that the inability to tame corruption in Nigeria is not because Nigeria does not have sufficient laws to deal with the issue of corruption, adding that there may be very few countries with more anti-graft laws. He said the problem however, is that there is no political will in addition to the fact that our system harbours sacred cows and the “untouchables”. The led are critical subsystem of the Nigerian system. We can get our government to muster the political will to fight corruption. At this juncture, let me seize this opportunity to commend our enviable President Muhammadu Buhari for being steadfast in the war against corruption. He is earnestly able and ready to give the enabling leadership. Let us play our part.
The greatest power to fight corruption lies in the people. President Muhammadu Buhari cannot be everywhere but our homes, schools/students, religious places must rise up to corruption-free nation. Nigeria is possible!
Thanks for listening.
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