THE SOLUTON TO CORRUPTION

I always laugh when I read about the endless inquiries and punishment of corruption in Nigeria. This is because it reminds of one of the American movies I watched sometimes ago titled “the eleventh commandment”. According to that movie, that commandment is ‘thou shall not get caught’. It simply means that for as long as you can avoid being caught, you are free to go ahead with corruption. Although punishment is an important part of combating corruption, focusing on punishment alone only helps to create more intelligent and law evasive criminals. Be that as it may, corruption is a canker worm that has eaten into the fabric of our society and we must do everything within our power to combat it. WHAT THEN DO WE DO.?

Before proceeding on what to do, I want to consider one very important factor. Why are people corrupt? At what point did corruption become institutionalized in Nigeria? People revert to corruption the moment they are under the impression that integrity is no longer fashionable. How then do they form such impressions?. When it becomes almost impossible for people of integrity to live a decent life while people who are obviously living beyond their means take the front seat of recognition in the society. When people suffer great injustice due their low level of affluence and nothing is done to give them succor. When it requires a lot of money to do anything including serve your father land. Gradually, integrity takes a back seat in their hearts and everybody focuses on wealth no matter the source.

Having said that much, we cannot truly fight corruption until we begin to recreate the impression that it pays to be a man of integrity. To achieve this, the society has an enormous role to play. It should accord everyman his due respect as a human being not as either a rich or poor man. Our leaders should try as much as possible to create an environment that does not require so much money to live a peaceful life. I believe it is only then that we should heavy sanctions on offenders. The society should also go back to verifying the legitimacy of people’s wealth before according them so much respect and honour. To cap it all, the society should honour people who demonstrate high integrity in their lives.

In conclusion, I want to say that no matter what we say concerning corruption, the minds of people will only respond to actions that give the impression that you can be all you want to be without being a corrupt person.

LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

OLASODE OLADAPO. B.