Corruption as the major challenge of National Development.

Writer: Olayinka Alaya Topic: Corruption as the major challenge of National Development. . One of the great challenges confronting Nigeria is corruption which is believed to be hindering her development as a nation. Today, as never before, the level of criminal activities in the country is on the ascendency. Bare-faced looting of public treasury, fuel subsidy scam, pension scam, money laundering, economic crimes of all sorts, oil bunkering, kidnapping, cold blooded murder, massacre, grand and petty corruption are now common day occurrences and they are all committed with reckless abandonment and impunity. The result is that our nation, which should have been the pride of the black race, has been reduced to a pariah nation and in a state of utter helplessness. The security of life and property can no longer be guaranteed. We are on the precipice of the predicted failed state. Given this frenzied and fluid state of affairs, it is devastating that the country has also built home for Corruption, the mother of all crimes. No day passes without the media headlining cases of serious fraud and embezzlement of public funds. It is therefore no longer news to say that Nigeria has sunk into the lymbirth of corruption or that it has eaten deep into fabric of the nation. The most unfortunate development is that this heinous crime is being condoned by the majority of those who wield political power and authority. How does one explain the cases of some public office holders who have been indicted for corruption or looting of the public treasury and still shamelessly breathing air of freedom. What tenable reason can be given for a man who had admitted taking cash bribe on the pretext that he intended to use it as exhibit, continue to participate in the debates in the house while a criminal case of corruption is still pending against him in court. Thus, the vicious circle of corruption is ever becoming wider and wider while those charged with the arduous task of fighting corruption are not finding it easy to carry out their statutory duties. Many well meaning and responsible Nigerians have been crying foul at the turn of events and apparent cover up of purveyors of corruption in recent times and the lethargic manner corruption cases are being handled. Delivering a lecture titled Corruption and National Development, the Pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Retired Justice Mustapha Akanbi, said that he always believed that those who keep quite and do nothing when evil is being perpetrated under their very nose, must themselves be evil minded, while men of honour and integrity, patriots and nationalists, great minds and souls, good and believing men and women should not fold their arms and see their country go to racks and ruin. Proffering solutions to corruption in the country, Justice Akanbi said the Judiciary has a key role to play in the fight against corruption and should therefore not be an obstacle, calling for an independent, impartial and informed judiciary which would hold a central place in the realization of an open, honest and accountable government. The judiciary must be independent if it is to effectively play the role of an arbiter and ensure that the rule of law prevails. Judges must be fair and just, and must not allow themselves to be influenced by extraneous consideration and should tower over and above corruption and always be true to their judicial oath. For an anti corruption body to succeed, it must enjoy the support of the populace. Nigerians should form different Non governmental organisations that would focus on the fight against corruption because the fight against corruption is the fight against the numerous problems facing Nigeria Many believe that government lacked the political will to fight corruption. The nature and manifestation of corruption in Nigeria portend a great danger to the stability of the country. Political Will from the top by the government and leadership can make a world of difference in our determined effort to make Nigeria the pride of the black race.