In an earlier post, I discussed
the need for mobilization against Corruption in Nigeria, and will now provide my recommendations on how the social woe can be resolved once and for all.
First, I believe that the civil society groups must agitate for tougher laws with grave punitive measures, so corruption should be made a capital offence with penalties like death sentence or life imprisonment.
Secondly, citizens should ask for better education and implement proper upbringing of their children. They must also demand that the socio-economic rights of Nigerians enshrined in chapter two of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended be made justiceable and the fundamental objectives and derivative principles of state policy can become the true philosophical threshold that upholds the dignity of the Nigerian citizen. This way, the civil society groups can engage the government on fundamental issues that will improve the quality of life of Nigerians.
The family circle need reforms as well. The influence or pressure of “polygamous household” and extended family system and pressure to meet family obligations which are less in developed countries, need to be paid attention to. Citizens must also clamour for an effective tax system because ineffective tax system makes it difficult for societies to track down peoples’ financial activities.
Nigeria’s poor reward system is another serious factor that should be addressed, because the wages system in this country is probably among the poorest in the world. It is no longer news that workers in this society are not paid regularly. Therefore to check bureaucratic corruption, workers should be paid living wages and when due because without getting paid they would devise ways to meet their family obligation even if it involves breaking the law. Thus, the lack of economic opportunity is a serious problem in societies whose citizens are achievement-oriented, but have relatively low access to economic opportunities. This alone could explain the reason for the upsurge of corrupt behaviours in society. Therefore, Lipset and Lenze (2000) noted in relation to the cultures of societies “that stress economic success as an important goal but nevertheless strongly restrict access to opportunities will have higher levels of corruption”. This is the Nigerian plight and it is detrimental to the socio-political and economic development of the nation.
The citizens should protest against the lukewarm attitude of some public officers charged with enforcing the laws – judges, police and other public officials need to be addressed. The fight against corruption must, however, move from the
evangelism and miracle phase to the institutional building phase, and Nigerians should be able to protest against corrupt court judgments, ungodly bureaucracies in public institution, bribery and settlement, kickbacks, medical tourism by the political elite etc. Public protest and mobilization against corruption should not be restricted to government policies that are unreasonable; they should extend to individual and institutional recklessness and corrupt practices carried out in the course of official assignment.
The average Nigerian most change his or her attitude and say no to illegal behaviour which actually is regarded as corruption. We must raise our moral margin and eschew animosity of any kind so that the moral justification to mobilize against corruption can be borne by us without any fear or favour.
Conclusively, Section 15 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 provides that the state must abolish all corruption practices and abuse of power. Even when we think this part of the constitution is not justiceable, it has laid down the empirical nuances upon which individual and citizen’s agitation for the abolishing of corruption around our political, economic and social orbit can trail.
The civil society group is hereby urged to mobilize itself against this continuous trend of corrupt practices in our political economy which has weakened our institutions and the psyche of the citizens domination. It is when we fight corruption this way that it can be said that the civil society can enforce its fundamental right of self determination and leave Nigeria a better place for all, where wealth and social prosperity will become the hallmark of our glorious habitation. Economic justice will be enthroned. And like Prophet Amos from the Holy Writ wrote “Let justice run down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream”.
Do you have any other recommendations to add on this issue of corruption? Please share them in the comments section below.
About the Writer: Evans Ufeli is a lawyer and the author of acclaimed novel, ‘Without Face’. He is also an Alumni member of the Writers Bureau, Manchester, a highly sought-after conference speaker with a passion for the concept of change. He lives in Victoria Island, Lagos. You can contact him via Facebook: Evans Ufeli, Email: evanylaw@yahoo.com, Twitter: @Evansufeli and Phone: 08037712353. Blog: ethicsafrica4u.wordpress.com
