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Corrupt officials target victims with the weakest links. Those that appear to be vulnerable and uninformed are the ones to be charged with a bribe. Consequently, those that appear poorer, less informed or socially less connected are the ones who suffer most. There have been certain misconceptions about corruption, which results in gross inaction of both public and government. These include:
• Hunger and starvation causes corruption, so we are corrupt;
• Rich-poor gap causes corruption, when we get rich, corruption will go;
• Low wages cause corruption, so it's okay since our pay is low;
• There is no remedy to corruption, why bother to change;
• Corruption is in our blood, no one can cure it; and lastly,
• Corruption has now become our culture- why worry?
While newspapers are always full of articles, about politics and intrigues of government, the same papers are empty on anti-corruption issues. It is apparent, therefore, that the above misconceptions, along with media inactivity, have managed to desensitize Nigerians into a comfortable zone of corruption. People fail to create an outcry against it. The newspapers are silent and the people unruffled! Escalating corruption is basically caused by an ineffective system of law, justice and accountability. Hunger, starvation, rich-poor gap chaotic traffic, high crime rate, extortion, bribery, poor construction, land-grabbing, famine as well as terrorism are all the result of corruption, not vice versa. Corruption is the ultimate culprit.
Basically, I've noticed one form of corruption or the other. Imagine the case of a drug peddler, either selling in a shop or in a commercial transport vehicle- these 'quacks' have no idea about chemical composition of drug or drug sensitivity to a particular pathogen or ailment. Fake drugs are distributed through them and the public faces the risks. This is a source of corruption, as some ignorant members of the public no longer go near to hospitals instead; they depend on these 'fake items'.
In Nigeria today, if one does not involve in one form of corruption or the other, you can never be the 'Man'. In politics for example, politicians make empty promises to members of the public in order to have their votes. After getting into the office, the same members of the public turn out to be critics if the government doesn’t favor them. They 'sold' their votes for a token and such a person voted to rule will have to embezzle funds to cover up all expenses spent during the political campaigns and elections.
It has also been alleged that most hospitals are selling out antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to people living with HIV/AIDS instead of giving them out for free as directed by the government. The fear of not having enough money to seek medical help when facing life-threatening diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and leprosy encourages stigmatization and as a result of this, lives are lost. All these are happening because of corruption.
Citizens need to understand that corruption is a problem that lowers their standard of living and that they need to resist it in their own lives. The sources and dimensions of corruption are too numerous to mention as we come across them from morning till night in our everyday lives.
Most books we use are pirated copies, movies-pirated, fake clothes, fake drugs; petrol used to power our vehicles is mixed with other substances like kerosene, diesel or even water! Yet, everyday, we hear it in the news that government has beefed-up security along our borders. How come these fake items are smuggled into the country? Most of them are not manufactured here in Nigeria. Do you smell foul play with government officials mounted to check these insurgencies?
Corruption has indeed turned out to be a culture in developing countries and Nigeria in particular. Citizens need to take more active roles in reporting abuses, reviewing the government's work, and otherwise monitoring government performance. It is important to recognize that traditional approaches in fighting corruption case-by-case investigation are not enough. The effort needs to reduce corruption opportunities, improve incentives for good performance, and raise awareness about the need for citizens to work with government to bring about change.
Working alone to fight corruption is not an easy task but I would encourage members of the public to swallow their pride and stare the corruption pandemic directly in the face not shy away from it. Having started long and hard, and been totally disgusted by corruption's horrific face, I advise everyone to recognize the ugliness of corruption in Nigeria. We need to write to the papers, talk to the embassies, create websites and pressure groups, join forums and protest with a massive outcry against the malaise of corruption.
Personally, to fight corruption, I would refuse to pay bribes and/or report request for bribes from public officials; I would send articles on corruption to the media or start a newsletter/bulletin. I would form anti-corruption clubs in schools so that I can organize social events, stimulate group discussion, request that courses on anti-corruption, good governance and ethics be included in the school curriculum, publicly declare schools a 'corruption-free zone' and disseminate information on government procedures and entitlements to the citizenry.
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Aniekan Ekah
Aniekan Ekah is the Team Leader of African Youth Enlightnent Society and the Coordinator of Creating Locale Connections-West Africa (Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Nigeria) and the Programs Coordinator of Young Activists Initiative.
I do a little writing when I get provoked or motivated, thats me!
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