THE ROLE OF THE YOUTHS IN COMBATING CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA. PRESENTED BY ATAFO MICHAEL AGELE OY/2013A/0280

Introduction

Some of the things that cause poverty in Nigeria are the Nigerian ruling and business elite. The ruling elite lack the kind of philosophical and ideological vision and orientation that is committed to developing "a dream society." They have no dream beyond the satisfaction of desires. This paper examines the nature of corruption, its effects on the youth and how we can fight it.

Definition

Corruption is a social problem that has interested many scholars. Ruzindana (1999) asserts that corruption in Africa is a problem of routine deviation from established standards and norms by public officials and parties with whom they interact. He also identified the types of corruption in Africa as bribery, private gain, and other benefits to non-existent workers and pensioners (called ghost workers). The dishonest and illegal behavior exhibited especially by people in authority for their personal gain is corruption.
According to the ICPC Act (section 2), corruption includes vices like bribery, fraud, and other related offences. Corruption is the abuse or misuse of power or position of trust for personal or group benefit (monetary or otherwise).
Corruption is a symptom of numerous difficulties within contemporary societies. It usually involves more than one party. It takes a form of an organized crime. At times, an organization can be established on corruption to beget corruption. Gbenga (2008) asserts that corruption is contagious. According to the perception index of Transparency International, Nigeria was ranked 144th out of the 146 countries, beating Bangladesh and Haiti to last position. An analysis of the anti-graft/anti-corruption laws in Nigeria shows that corruption will continue in spite of the laws because the perpetrators do not fear any consequences. It is now dawning on the Nigerian public that the so-called private enterprise and legislators are free from scrutiny, and governors claim to be immune. Corruption is found in the award of contracts, promotion of staff, dispensation of justice, and misuse of public offices, positions, and privileges, embezzlement of public funds, public books, publications, documents, valuable security, and accounts. Corruption can be systematic in nature and affect the whole life of an organization or society.

Corruption in Nigeria

John Locke outlined the doctrine of the separation of powers, indicating the danger of oppressive and arbitrary rule when all functions of government are exercised by a single person or institution. The growing corruption in Nigeria can be traced to people holding power at the federal, state, and local government levels. Corruption does not involve just people in government, but also to people in both private and public positions and even traditional rulers.
President Olusegun Obasanjo presented a bill to the national assembly on “the prohibition and punishment of bribery, corruption, and other related offences bill of 1999”. Obasanjo's regime has certainly fired the most critical shot at corruption in Nigeria in recent times. At the federal level, it cannot be business as usual in Nigeria. Corruption has also spread to both the state and local government levels, as well as some decentralized centers of power and authority. Within the educational sector in Nigeria, especially from secondary to  university levels, corruption is very pervasive, and most of which is not in the public eye. Corruption in education includes:

1.      Corrupt practices by parents of students.

2.      Corrupt practices by lecturers.

3.      Corrupt practice by police, e.t.c.

 

Causes of Corruption in Nigeria

With unchecked, unbridled, and uncontrolled, power, humans become corrupt. According to Thomas Hobbes, “life becomes solitary, nasty, brutish, and short." Our previous colonial background has been identified by scholars. Our colonial heritage has  altered our values and perception of morality; some of the causes of corruption are:

• Trade Restriction. This is Government-induced source of rent of seeking corruption. The restriction on importation of foreign automobiles are examples of how government officials and politicians can make quick money via rent seeking. 
• Government subsidies. When government allocates scarce recourses to individuals and firms using legal criteria other than the ability or willingness to pay, corruption is likely to be the result. Corruption can thrive under industrial policies that allow poorly-targeted subsidies to be appropriated by firms for which they are not intended.
• Price controls. The purpose is to lower the price of some goods below market value. For social and political reason, these are also a source of corruption.
• Low wages in civil service. When public wages are low, public servants may be compelled to use their official positions to collect bribes as a way of making ends meet, particularly when the chances of being caught are low.
• Sociological factors. Multi-ethnic societies may be more likely to fall prey to corruption as a result of failure to manage ethnic conflict in a way that is fair to everyone.

The youths and corruption

The post-election violence, boko haram insurgency, reoccurring fatal road accidents due to degenerated and substandard roads, reappearance of armed robbers and car snatchers are examples of problems the nation has faced and is currently facing as a result of corruption. A young Nigerian pained by the threat corruption posed to the entity called Nigeria advocated for executions to be given to corrupt persons. I dare say if such is carried out, every home in Nigeria is going to experience mourning as at least one person in each home would be executed. As a means of eradicating corruption, we must implements these few points:

-          A-Merit based society: Hard work can only be sustained when everybody plays by the same rule. For instance, a student guaranteed that discipline and hard work can help him gain admission would be easily motivated to shun corruption such as exam malpractice and sorting (bribing lecturers to get high scores or pass their courses) whereas when such high virtues are ignored for lower things like man-know-man, corruption would always be enthroned. Dr. Wale Babalakin SAN (2010) in an inaugural lecture presented at the University of Lagos opined that until Nigeria return to a merit based society, development would continue to elude it. He noted that the best must be given preference above the average and employment/admissions should be based on competence and capacity rather than on recommendation. I assert that as long as Nigeria continues to value medio-crity above excellence, collapse would just be a matter of time.

-          All Men are equal before the law: In Nigeria, a common saying that has been used to aid corruption is that not all fingers are equal hence all men cannot be equal before the face of the law. This has been used by the elite class to defend their breaking of the law. Because of this, most Nigerians have lost confidence in the entire system with some others lured to engaging in corruption. I have heard people say if you want to steal in Nigeria, make sure you steal in billions so that when you are arrested, you have enough money to buy your bail or plea bargain and shorten your sentence. It is pathetic that different laws are used for the rich and the poor. For stealing billions of naira, A former Inspector General of Police and A former Chief Executive of a Bank got some months conviction whereas for stealing a few thousands of naira ordinary Nigerians are sentenced to several years’ imprisonment.

-           A-one Nigeria Mentality: To eradicate corruption, every Nigerian must view Nigeria as a united entity and work collectively for its good whether within the country or in the diaspora. Nowadays, corrupt individuals are brazenly defended by people from their region. For instance, before the eventual arrest of Mr. James Ibori former Governor of Delta State, there were wide protests in his home area of Asaba where though the people knew of his criminal deeds they supported him because he is “their son and the son of the soil”. Such mentality still exists in Nigeria and poses a threat to both her development and corporate existence. This one Nigeria mentality would help put the interest of the nation above every personal interest which is a prerequisite to eradicating corruption and ensuring acceleration of the much needed development.

It is my believe that if we implement these points, we will be able to eradicate corruption and lay a foundation of integrity for our nation Nigeria. Also In order to prevent corruption from happening at all, Nigerian should emphasis transparency, integrity, and accountability in all their private and public transaction. Some solutions include:

•  Social Transformation. Transformation in education of the public is a necessary factor in social transformation. There is need for formation and reformation, orientation and re-orientation of the minds and heart of Nigerians, for them to  see that corruption is the enemy of development.
• Enforcement of Anti-Corruption Law. The law should be enforced to its fullest and without fear and favour.
• Improvement of Socio-political and Economic Life. This is another weapon against corruption in Nigeria. The multiplying effects of this improvement will reduce the tendency of public servants to demand and take bribes and get involved in other corrupt practices.

Conclusion

Corruption in Nigeria is systematic, and to address the problem a systematic approach is needed. To curb and eventually eradicate corruption, children, youth, and adults must be given the power to distinguish right from wrong. All schools should return to the teaching of moral education to empower children with the spirit of stewardship, while adults live exemplary lives, reflecting truth, kindness, dignity of labour, and integrity.

References

I.B. Bello-Imam (2005).The war against corruption in Nigeria: Prospects and problems.
The Guardian Newspaper. "EFCC; ICPC, record average performance, says poll. April 7 page 13.
Olusegun Obasanjo (1990). Inaugural Address, "Was a new dawn delivered on May 29."
Hassan A. Saliu, Ayodele, et al. (2006). The National Question and Some Selected Topics.