Fighting Corruption in the midst of Corruption: A Nigerian situation

By Revd. Idowu Ibitoye
Consequences of Corruption
Corruption has a lot of consequences, which affects the growth of any society; the cankerworm of corruption can result in the collapse great nations. Below are some of the consequences of corruption:
1. Bad Governance: When corruption thrive in any organization, bad governance is inevitable. Bad governance encompasses a variety of situations from corruption, deceit to passing of unfair policies. Bad governance is centralized around the lack of transparency and accountability, as well as arbitrary policy making and cheating those who are governed.
2. Retardation of Growth/Development – Corruption retard the growth and development of any organization. When money budgeted for a particular project is embezzled by some corrupt individuals, such project may never be revisited. We have read about road contracts awarded and never attended to; likewise, money allocated for construction of schools, hospitals and other social amenities are sometimes diverted or embezzled. This usually affects the growth of such communities.
3. Poor Economic growth- Money that is meant to circulate round, but kept in someone’s account will negatively affect the growth of the economy. We have heard cases of money earmarked for the payment of staff salaries being deposited in someone else account for months. This will affect staff welfare negatively and the growth of society’ economy.
4. Poor Educational System- Corruption can lead to the collapse of nation’s educational system. Today we hear of “miracle centers” “machineries” etc in many secondary schools where students rush to write their SSCE or JAMB examinations and the examiners in the centers collect large sums to allow students to cheat. In some higher institutions of learning, lecturers often request for sex to award marks to female students and for financial gains from male students. These students return back to the society after their so called training, seeing corruption as a normal way of life because they are product of such actions. May God deliver our educational institutions from various kinds of corruption.
5. Perversion Justice – Perverse simply means to turn away from what is right or good, it is to be corrupt, to be improper in perverting the true justice, and to corrupt the true justice. Many judges today are corrupt as they collect bribe in order to change the true judgment in favour of the accused. What we sometimes see during the election petition tribunals, is food for thought for Nigerian judges.
6. Untimely death- Untimely death is inevitable where corruption is prevalent. When the money allocated for drugs at the hospital if embezzle, many sick persons needing the drugs may die, or medical personnel that needs to be employed will not be engaged and this will result into death of patients. Likewise, many of our reads had turned into death traps because of it’s dilapidated conditions. Today many are unable to access quality health care system because of some individuals who had embezzled money meant for the development of the health sector.
7. Poor Infrastructural facilities – Corruption has led to the poor infrastructural facilities in the country, as many project are not completed and others abandoned due to corruption related issues.
Recommended Solutions in Combating Corruption
Corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of our society, I believe the cankerworm can be addressed and corruption eradicated. Below are some recommended solutions in combating corruption:
I. Integrity of life – Integrity is a quality of being honest and having strong moral principles of life. In other words, it is the state of being whole and undivided. Integrity must be a virtue that all Christians manifest in their daily lifestyle. The bible says that, “the integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity” Prov. 11:3. Integrity must be the hallmark that guides people’s life styles on daily basis. Likewise, 1 Pet. 3:16 says “But do this in a gentle and respectful way, keep your conscience clear, then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”
ii. Faithfulness – Faithfulness is simply the quality of being faithful, it’s fidelity. Faithfulness is to be loyal, unwavering and reliable regardless of the circumstances. One must be faithful in small things (Lk. 16:10-12). Likewise, being faithful in little acts allow God to prepare people for greater assignments (Matt. 25:21).
iii. Undivided heart – To have a divided heart is to have a compromising heart. One should not lower his/her standard at any point in life. One should always stand firm in every situation and circumstances, which will always glorify God.
iv. Contentment – It is to be satisfied. True and long lasting contentment comes from accepting Christ, and having faith that through Him one will have everything needed in life, as godliness with contentment is great gain (I Tim. 6:6-12). When contentment is lacking in one’s life, such will engage in frivolous affairs which may eventually tarnish one’ image and reputation.
v. Fear of God- The fear of God must be instilled in children right from their childhood. Everyone must know that the judgment of God over corrupt individuals stands sure and it shall come to pass, both in this world and in the world to come.“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction” Prov. 1:7. The fear of the Lord is to hate and shun evil practices, and to always manifest the attitudes of Christ.
vi. Constant Teaching of Christian values and principles – Church pastors should constantly teach their members the values and principles of Christianity, such as faithfulness, righteousness, purity, holiness and accountability, etc. This will help individuals in their daily engagements.
vii. Legislation – Strong and enforcement of law must be made over any corrupt public and private officers. The state must ensure that proper laws are in place, while its implementation must be practicable. Everyone must be considered equal before the law in its enforcement. This will help to curb the menace of corruption in our society.
viii. Empowering the anti-graft agencies – The commission that is saddled with the responsibilities of fighting corruption must be empowered and be independent, in other to carry out their functions without fear or favour. Any corrupt individual found culpable should be brought to book.
Conclusion
Our society is full of corrupt practices, everyone must take responsibility in salvaging the situation by uprooting the roots of corruption in our society. All hands must be on deck to kill this monster called corruption.