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The situation in Nigeria today has become so embarrassing that corruption has taken the center place while integrity, Social Justice and respect for dignity of labour have been thrown overboard. Sadly, we find public servants who are interested in making quick and easy money by diverting public funds to their pockets. It shocked every human reason to hear from the chairman of the EFCC that the sum of =N=18 billion Naira was recovered from the former Inspector General of Police Mr. Tafa Balogun.
It is also on record that the Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government Area in Ogun State Alhaji Morouf Ajisegiri was convicted on Monday 30th October, 2006 by Justice Ogundipe for lavishing the sum of =N=260,000 meant for the printing of exercise books in the Local Government Area. Furthermore, the Chairman of Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State Hon. Dele Fagoriola and two Principal officials of the council were remanded in prison custody for corrupt practices. Hon. Fagoriola was charged to court on eight count charge for using his position to collect the sum of =N=155,000,00 =N=129,000, =N=134,950.00,=N=145,000 and =N=124,500 consecutively in the pretence of attending seminars and workshops at different times and intervals. He also conferred corrupt advantages upon his wife by approving and paying the sum of =N=95,500, =N=95,000, =N=11,500, =N=97,000 and =N=15,000 to attend seminars and workshops at different dates of which she was not entitled to. What do you say?
The Vice Chairman Mr. Ojo and the Director of personnel of Akure North Local Government Area Mr. Adejumoye were also charged to court for making false statements in respect of the visit of the executive governor of Ondo State, that the sum of =N=70,000 was disbursed to security agents of the government during his visit for fueling whereas no such disbursements was made. In addition, the Vice Chairman and the Director Personnel collected =N=1.3million from the council and claimed that =N=90,000 was used out of it to buy Ankra at Mama Boutique when no such purchase were made from Mama Boutique. What do you say?
We are also aware of the comments of Mr President “that the number two man of the country is presently fighting the fight of his life time due to corruption”. He also stated that some Ministers have lost their job as a result of corrupt practices, while a Senate President lost his seat. What do we say?
We are aware of Public Officers inflating contracts and diverting Public funds by various means and tricks conferring on themselves corrupt advantages. This anomalies are just a tip of the iceberg of an unchanging corrupt dealings that has continued to question the integrity of Nigeria. Only few men and women have summoned courage to ask moral questions as to why the executive, the legislative and the judicial excesses should be allowed to continue. Do you know why, it is because we are all involved.
CONCLUSION:
The absence of transparency, probity, justice and fair play are the greatest obstacles to the fight against corrupt practices in the public service.
The absence of these principles lay at the root of the integrity question in Nigeria, the back lash being the drift of the nation along the stream of all forms of corrupt practices. Public officers can not fight corruption by seeking to occupy offices at all cost and by acquiescing to callous and corrupt demands of their god fathers and their superiors. The fight against corrupt practices can come about successfully through the promptings of leaders who are ready to embrace and transmit honest habits, create equal opportunities to all citizens through open career to talents, reward honesty and integrity while sanctioning what is wrong.
Divorcing the polity from the syndrome of Ghana-must-go bags even in the face of impeachment threats, appointment of investigation panel by Judges for the removal of Governors, loss of seats in the legislature for change of parties etc would be a plus for the fight against corrupt practices and integrity while exposing and prosecuting all corrupt personnel would be a minus for lack of integrity.
Enthroning transparency in Nigeria in our life time can only be achieved when we are ready to be our brothers keeper by giving every officer his due, by treating every officer equally and by addressing the twin issues of greed and poverty. Benevolence and tolerance of each other should guide and colour our relationships, not greediness, animosity, hatred, and exploitative tendencies.
Government alone can not fight corruption in the public service, it must be seen to be collective responsibility. We all know our acts of corrupt practices and the prevailing social injustice in the society. We can right the wrongs if we make conscious efforts to completely spare a thought for Nigeria, thinking and acting for the common good, re-enacting our traditional moral values. There and then can our fight against corruption yield the desired results and enthrone national integrity system.
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