Corruption As Spiritual Burden On Nigeria
Corruption is not peculiar to Nigeria. In the technologically advanced countries of the west which stand as role models to the up-coming economies, there is corruption even in the high places. For this reason those that emphasize corruption as the bane of the Nigeria nation may or not be right.
It is crystal clear that corruption as a generic word to express is the aggregation of several social vices and improprieties which are committed on daily bases and in various categories in different socio-political settings. That is why the synopsis of this article will not align in every respect with the allegorical definition by some schools of thought that corruption is chiefly responsible for tottering Nigeria economic and political structure towards collapse. Truly, corruption is antithetical. Indeed what obtains in Nigeria besides other subtle debilitating circumstances is a classical form of corruption. In the first instant, Nigeria brand of corruption is not only institutional, it is equally systemic and foundational. In my last treatise for the weekly column, Bitter Pills dwelt extensively on the major source of the institutional, systematic and foundational corruption bedeviling the Nigeria nation state. Without equivocation, Nigeria has a faulty and corrupt foundation which is fundamental in instigating selfishness, avarice and paucity of patriotism as experienced in reality. Imperatively from head of toe, the country is subject to afflictions from the lethal stings of the hydra-headed pangs of that vicious disease indeterminably and intractably.
When the foundation is afflicted, it trickles down to the entire structural system.
This thinking does not have to be generally accepted especially by those traducers who often misconstrue a columnist of this standing to be not just a gnomic but guilty of excessive indulgence in complicated analysis and interpretation of a simple case of corruption to such a high mystified level. There is no where in this world that the unsavoury act of corruption does not exist be it in the official forms of bribery and nepotism, travesty of justice, favouritism and cupidity, cronyism and deprivation, discrimination and marginalization, intimidation, humiliation and annihilation. In fact, any form of disposition in either official or unofficial capacity that implies impropriety amounts to corruption. Therefore, it is not possible to obtain a social milieu that is absolutely ridden of spates of corruption.
Please, put me right if found wrong. Nigeria as a ‘country’ refuse to develop because she is yet to come to terms with the fact that problem solving proceeds with problem identification which in turn begins with the need analysis targeted towards the acquisition of requisite knowledge for the accurate choice and decision making purposes.
Essentially, it is only after a proper diagnosis of a defect that appropriate solution could be deduced from available alternative measures. Otherwise, several measures adopted end up as mere palliative and not sustainable. This explains the unsustainable developmental strides Nigeria has taken both in the past and at present without much to show for it. Notably, sustainable development depends upon good governance, good governance depends upon the rule of law, and the rule of law depends upon effective compliance and enforcement. Nigeria is bereft of these features.
Interestingly, the architects of this nation, the British colonial government remains the worst culprit for the experiences of social malady confronting this socio-political structure, Nigeria. They inspired and instigated an inexplicable form of corruption through a masterminded structural inequities and selfish style of governance skewed towards the sole attainment of selfish goals first to themselves (the colonial government and masters) and second to those they handed over the leadership mantle (the Northern Nigerians). According to Harrold Smith the custodian of the Nigeria project under the British colonial era, the British presence in Africa generally and Nigeria particularly was intended to above all things protect and serve the British interest (the colonial agenda). Also, the care takers or the prefects of this entity in whose favour the evil manipulations were perfected (the Northerners) were groomed only to protect and serve the Northern interest in the foremost (ie Northern agenda). To this end, attachment to nationality
(i.e what is now known to be patriotism) become automatically relegated to secondary background.
Meanwhile, in view of the multi-ethnic nature of the constituents of the Nigeria project, the above analysis aptly applied. Any tribe or ethnic group that gains access to power, uses and abuses it to their gains to the detriment of others without qualms. On individual basis, the phenomenon plays out further in a manifested cupidity that reigns supreme. The tribal and ethnic cleavages inspire the spirit of cronyism that exacerbates the sore of tribalism. A situation where the definition of a particular problem exposes the system to many more problems; it appears like a vicious cycle where the next tentacle readily completes the feedback. In this situation, the common wealth of a nation erroneously clad in the toga of readily baked cake now perceived as the ‘national cake’. It is only in Nigeria that this term ‘national cake’ applies and is shamelessly imbibed by all and sundry. It was the national cake syndrome that begot the quota- system, federal character and irrational distribution and allocation of resources which heightened the quest for resource control.
Essentially, attachment to nationality (patriotism) hinges mainly on the tendency towards the access to national cake either for self or tribal aggrandizement. The seat of government at all levels turns to a seat of corruption. Also, the acquisition of power at all levels become driven more by the attraction towards taking a bite at the so called national cake. The picture becomes glaringly care that an individual Nigerian apart from putting self first exalts the tribal or ethnic inclination over and above the national concern. Consequently, patriotism and loyalty to nationhood diminishes to a virtual image where only sports (football in particular) and religious (in partiality) are the unification factors treasured beyond ethno-political essence. In this way the sin of corruption overtook every virtue and the respecters of due process or the rule of law were secluded as leftists. The entire system become submerged in the pool of murky water from where an ever fledgling economy of this country raises its hands to beckon for rescue. Who can save us from this melancholy madness of a rudderless voyage to God knows where? The spirit of corruption possess every mind and hangs thick like an avalanche in the sky above Nigeria. No body is free, not even the likely and most revered in our country today. The Nation (Nigeria) is corrupt, the system is quite maverick and equally corrupt fraught with only human beings reputed for high depravity of mind that appears unequalled. The only lee way is a total regeneration. And this is only to be predicated by a total revolution to expel the crass class struggle that had permeated our nerves and engulfed our minds to the extent that anything goes and nothing matters other than matter itself to everybody. It is this heavy burden of corruption that weighs Nigeria down and kept her perambulating for more than five decades of existence. It is the ignorance of this fact the denies us the technological ascendancy expected of this great potential but-would-never attain black super-power. Pardon this pessimism, rather blame the causers and regret the fallout which is our ugly fate today. In this clime where evil is nursed and pampered until criminals become so empowered as to overwhelm the sovereign on the verge of fulfilling the predictions of the Hobbessian chaotic era where the sovereign eventually become toppled by the criminals. This situation is almost knocking on the doors of this country especially now that the Boko Haram criminals appears to hold the laggard Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to ransom under this auspicious politically democratic dispensation led by the soft, tardy and seemingly unabashed President Goodluck Jonathan. For the fact that the FGN demonstrates eagerness and ability to grant amnesty for the unrepentant Boko Haram criminals smacks of blatant disregard for moral rectitude and social uprightness. This is a sheer celebration and promotion of evil. It is a manifestation of that most dreaded point in life where the sovereign as the repository and custodian of lives and property capitulates to the pressure exerted by the overwhelming whims and caprices of the negative adjuncts of an unjust society long over-due for an over-haul. Nigeria warps under the burden of the spirit of corruption that has eaten deep into every of her fabrics.
Is Okorocha In The Hall Of Shame?
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State is quoted in his 2013 budget speech thus, “We motivated Imolites to walk with pride and dignity the world over by our verifiable achievements with one year in power a feat not equaled by any administration since the creation of the state.” {See the 2013 budget speech “The Rescue Budget 2” page 13}.
A particular wise man was passing by when a kid, angered by another, poured insults on the offender. The sage immediately turned and advised the crowd walking with him saying “Always allow someone to show him/herself foolish before you shout “You fool;” Yes, I have been criticizing objectively and constructively the government of Gov. Okorocha and shall continue to do so until he sees reasons to re-dress his ignoble steps.
Though following several blatant and flagrant threats to my life which was consummated on the 17th of March 2013 at about 5:30 AM in my residence, when four armed men stormed my house to eliminate me for criticizing Okorocha, but were disappointed as a result of my absence, many of my friends and media colleagues have advised me to desist from writing as anything can happen to me following the message the assailants left behind of coming back the second time.
Though I have always believed that I cannot survive a bullet but at the same time, no amount of threat with a multi-purpose gun, AK47, etc can stop me from saying/writing the truth that I know about this administration that has its fame in the hall of shame.
However, after listening to some of my friends, including those big weights in Okorocha’s administration that asked me to name my price in order to stop my assignment, I disappointed them because I have no price, I can’t be bought over for any reason. I am a messenger of truth and harbinger of good governance. Above all, I have conscience and no amount of money offered, can ever stop me from doing the right thing. The people I am talking about know themselves. In the midst of the entire uncanny political situation in Imo State if I should remain silent, it pricks my conscience. The delay in writing was as if I prevented a very important event from taking place. If I refuse to write, I feel a personal guilt for a serious act of omission because of the shame Gov. Okorocha is bringing to Imo State
A rigid and unshakable evil policy has brought two years of unshakable disgrace. He claimed to have rescued and motivated Imolites to walk with pride and dignity…” This is one of the lies of the century. Imo people now walk in shame, indignity and unequalled embarrassment occasioned by Gov. Okorocha’s step into the hall of shame. Imo will soon hit the Guinness Book of Records due to the high level of corruption, manipulation, deceit, falsehood lies, fraud and misappropriation of public funds. Okorocha also claimed to have transformed the look of Imo civil servants. A visit to Imo State posed a serious challenge to Okorocha’s claim because Imo civil servants are complaining of the deduction of some percentages from their salaries by Gov. Okorocha on monthly basis. This they frown because the government is claiming that the deduction is part of their contribution to the purported free education which has become a hog-wash.
In the words of Plato the philosopher, “The greatest ignorance is when a man hates that which he nevertheless thinks to be good and noble, and loves and embraces that which he knows to be unrighteous and evil.” Such one becomes a slave to his achievements. Almost everything Okorocha considers good before he became a governor, he has hated them and has embraced unrighteous and evil activities. No wonder four armed men stormed my house on the 17th of March 2013 at exactly 5:30 AM in search of my where-about to kill me for criticizing Gov. Okorocha’s government. This I have reported to appropriate quarters, no arrest has been made at all because they are involved.
Any corrupt society is like a beautiful egg with a rotten yoke. This is exactly what Gov. Okorocha’s administration reflects. This is an era of one man show of shame, the era of political manipulation, deceit and lies occasioned by Satanism. Yes I mean Satanism because Imo is in total problem now when you walk round owerri you will notice some signs and esoteric symbols mounted at various strategic places in town an ignorant person may think that this administration is interested in the promotion of Art and Culture without knowing that some of those symbols are pointing to what Imo people may not know except the initiates.
I may be in a better position to tell Imo people what these symbols are all about. They represent the inner meaning of our governor’s stand politically, spiritually, economically and otherwise. I am saying this because even Gov. Okorocha’s constant white and red cap fitted attire represents something cultural and spiritual as it could relate to colour symbolism in igbo cosmology and even other religious symbols too. It could as well mean nothing in Gov. Okorocha’s philosophy of dressing. In all these, Okorocha is too spiritual and religious without conscience. Christ spoke to people like Gov. Okorocha in this manner, “ Ye hypocrites… This {Okorocha} people draweth nigh unto me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me…” Matt 14:7-9.
I listened to Gov. Okorocha on AIT as usual yesterday with his usual deceptive slogan of “my people, my people” and his people could not respond positively because hunger is killing majority of Imo people due to bad government of Rochas. One of the things that amazed me was when Gov. Okorocha turned and became the M.C of the occasion as he was intimidated by the presence of Gov. Fashola of Lagos State and Adams of Edo State. He subtly covered his embarrassment by serving as the master of ceremony {mc} of the occasion.
Truth is unbeatable; Okorocha has failed Imo people and has registered his presence in the hall of shame. In the history of democracy in Nigeria, no state governor has ever attracted the number of editorials that Rochas Okorocha has done. He has failed God, he has failed Arch Bishop Obinna, he has failed Rev. Father Mbaka, he has failed the entire Catholic church that saw him as the holy angel of God. Gov. Okorocha should respect himself and bow out of Imo Government House because he has failed everybody. One philosopher {Ayn Rand}is quoted thus, “ Integrity does not consist of loyalty to one’s subjective whims but of loyalty to rational principles”.
The Reformer is driven by good ideas and ever willing to follow and walk with a system that has integrity and rationally defined goals because greatness is achieved by the productive effort of a man’s mind in pursuit of clearly defined rational goals. This is what Okorocha lacks as his administration is sited on a wheel-chair with one leg. We are watching!
How Much Does Sorting Worth In Higher Institutions?
it is incontestable that the malaise and flaws in our higher institutions today are multi-dimensional. These flaw and indiscipline behaviours cut across several human activities. Some of these are criminal in nature others border on anti-social behaviours and gross misconduct that have contributed to the ills of our society.
Ordinarily, many years ago, we hardly hear of examination malpractices. The first recorded examination malpractice was in the First Leaving Certificate of the then Eastern Region, when a Clerk in the Ministry of Education was reported to have leaked the English paper to her girl friend. It was indeed a national news. And the culprit was charged to court and sentenced to six months imprisonment then. To many Nigerians of today, it would sound a ferry tale because for several years now, particularly after the Nigerian Civil War. Although some examination authorities and governments at different levels have been trying to minimize this monster, the practice has continued to expand.
Today, the worst type of educational malpractice is what has come to be known in many higher institutions as “sorting.”
What is sorting afterall? Properly put, it is a practice in which there is an interaction between a student or a candidate in which both the student or the candidate and the lecturer enter into a different type of an agreement in which case the student has to perform certain obligation, while the lecturer undertakes to give him or her good grade to enable the student or candidate scale through that particular course.
Sorting takes different dimensions. It could be that the student is to provide cash sometimes, specified amount which every student taking that course must pay to ensure a pass or a good grade. Perhaps, if the amount is five thousand naira, some big-time girls who are weekend goal-getters may pay twice and they are sure to get high grade to enable the student get high grades up to seventy five or something to place such a student at first or second class range cumulatively.
In some cases, female students may be asked to give sex for a number of times. Even in some cases, some conscienceless lecturers may go extra mile to ask the student to make a choice of a hotel, secure the room, pay for it and inform the “animal.”
More often, too, some not quite pretty students may be asked to give both sex and other gifts such as packets of bed-spreads with pillow cases, perfume of high quality, good long sleeve shirts.
On the other hand, for the male students, they may be asked to pay cash or both cash and gift. Their gifts may range from good choice wine, perfume, and assorted men’s gift items of different types.
Of course, once agreement has been reached, the student does everything to ensure that such terms of agreement is highly respected and fulfilled.
On their parts, those lecturers who indulge in sorting practices equally do everything to honour the agreement because any lecturer involved in sorting who tries to be smart may be reported to the HOD or even to the Dean. And in some cases bold and fearless students can rock the boat so seriously that once it capsized, it may get many heads drowning. It has happened to some lecturers in almost every higher institution in the state capital of Imo State and those in other neighboring institutions. Sorting is indeed a wide spread educational culture and awful phenomenon.
Another type of gimmick which some lecturers use apart from sorting is known as “missing script” syndrome. This is a deliberate method in which a lecturer with sinister and dubious motives may remove a student’s examination answer script only to declare such a script missing. Na lie. It is not missing anything. “The rat has smuggled it out of the whole bunch.” Once declared missing, the next thing is for the lecturer to hold the student to ransome in which case the student is to cough out large sums of money or to perform some rituals in order for it to be restored. But if it has been published as a result, the student is to repeat the course and has to pay another round of school fees. That is why many students do everything to ensure that if they have reported missing scripts, they do everything to nip it in the bud.
Unfortunately, this practice of “missing script” is a regular strategy used by some dubious and heartless lecturers. But they forget that their own sons and daughters would certainly suffer the same fate in the hands of “nemesses”.
Painfully enough, many students’ future has been jeopardized through a sinister behaviour of some “lecturer thieves” in our higher institutions who are anxious to drive jeep and to build houses like their counter parts in other sectors of the economy. No wonder, today in our higher institutions, half of the lecturers and more so the professors are competing with their colleagues as to which highest brand of cars they have to drive. That is why our higher institutions have become “lions den” of a kind. Because drive for accumulation of wealth at the expense of students is indeed very high. Besides, some of the lecturers use other means to dupe students particularly those in the bracket of “adult education” students who are the main, working class. Such group is treated differently. There is sometimes, the practice of “no class attendance but pass result guaranteed.” That is education or certificate by barter or certificate by cash. This practice is worse among those pursuing higher degree who pay higher and heavier once appropriate bargain has been struck.
It has been alleged that some well to do men in the society who want higher degrees at all cost without attending any type of course work are prepared to pay anything to the appropriate University don for such a higher degree. No wonder from to time to time, we wake up to hear of a man or woman whose educational achievement is questionable wakeup to answer Dr. this, Dr. that. When you try to inquire, you will be confronted with an explanation that would dazzle you. Yes, a legitimate doctorate or master’s degree from a credible University but without substance for such a higher degree.
Our society has degenerated to such a level that a Masters Degree or even a Doctorate degree could be purchased and paid for from a recognized University.
The resultant effects of this type of racketing and examination malpractices in our educational system by way of sorting, missing script, certificate by barter or by outright purchase of higher degrees are responsible for the down-grading and cheapening of our University degrees from Nigerian Universities. Overseas, particularly in the United States and Canada, some Nigerian Universities particularly some State Universities are very poorly rated to the extent that Bachelor degree is considered to be little below higher School Certificate. Indeed sad and sad indeed.
We cannot blame them. Because a reporter once wrote in a national daily that the experience of a female student in one of the State Universities, particularly in one or two lectures is not printable simply saying, “reporter, please leave me alone. I passed through hell to get ordinary first degree.” Of course, that is not an exaggeration. One needs to enter any University, higher Institution, ask questions particularly from the female students. If they open their mouths, “the ground will have a sudden earthquake.”
At this time, can we resuscitate the image of our educational system particularly at the tertiary level? This is a million naira question.
