NIGERIA WAS BUILT ON A CORRUPT FOUNDATION, SAYS PROF OMOLEWA

The former Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, noted that “corrupt practices became part of the Western civilization introduced to the country following the introduction of literacy and Western education.

The President of the 32nd session of the General Conference of UNESCO added that Dr. Walter Miller, a respected Medical Missionary in Nigeria, frequently lamented that corruption was conspicuously, present in all the occupations and among the newly educated elite whom he described as spoiled, degenerate, vicious, unreliable and immoral.

“Henry Carr, the first Nigerian to occupy the most senior position in the Education Department, was not pleased with the products of the Nigerian schools. He expressed his unhappiness because “not only is their stock of positive knowledge altogether inconsiderable on leaving school, but there is hardly a sign of the growth of mental power and self-control.

“Frederic Lugard, the first Governor General of Nigeria, who was always uncomfortable with the emerging educated elite, consistently agreed with the disparage description of the new literate Nigerians whom he labeled as “unfitted to hold posts of trust and responsibility where integrity and loyalty are essential [Lugard: 429].

Penpushing further reports that, Omolewa pointed out that the attainment of Independence, rather than end corruption, provided an opportunity for its practice, sometimes with impunity and arrogance that could have put any nation to shame and sent everyone to a period of reflection and sober vigilance.

“The appearance of the calm in the country was clearly misleading, and did not present the true picture of the crisis of governance in the young nation, we must recognize the fact that things are getting worse by each day as Nigerians introduce more types of corruption that are sophisticated’.

The guest lecturer highlighted some of the consequences of corruption which include contamination, impurity and suffocation of what is best and noble, saying that corruption undermines the organised manner of running Administration and governance.

Penpushing also reports that, he said.’ corruption inevitably leads to the breakdown of trust and confidence in established institutions. It is like what the Book of Judges referred to as ‘everyone took the law into his own hands’.

‘There is defiance of law and order and total breakdown, corruption kills anything it touches. It destroys, distorts and demolishes integrity and reputation. It suffocates. Corruption is known to lead to avoidable death, avoidable accidents; it breeds incompetence, promotes dishonesty, and provokes the absence of equity and social justice, corruption stimulates perversion’.

“Transformation must be the goal and the eradication of constraints of corruption the priority. This mission would demand that the leaders are single minded, problem solution-minded, full of wisdom and understanding and capable to offer mental leadership’.

The Professor, stressed that it is not enough to teach courses on ethics and morality, adding that the devil itself is known to possess enormous knowledge which it frequently demonstrates in dealing with the saints of God, ‘so people should learn better from practical examples, because Africa is in dire need of leaders who are genuine and who practice what they preach’.

“Our leaders must dedicate their lives to ensuring that the future generation is able to live lives that would promote the nations. Corruption takes many forms: as a perversion, it can be the effort to influence judgments involving the perversion of justice’. 

‘It may take the form of giving an appointment to a less deserving person because of his/her powerful connection and influence. Corruption may be the taking steps of placement of people in positions to ensure the consolidation of initial advantages of an individual, community, or sections of the community’.

Penpushing reports that, he however suggested some way forward which includes, dealing with anybody found wanted  of corruption according to the law, people should have a spirit of care, Nigeria must invest in children, we must not only concentrate on government alone, we should have a good spiritual life.