Corruption. By corruption, we mean that any dishonest or immoral behavior or activities that result in the gain of some powerful organization or people. Thus, corruption often results in loss to the weaker section of the society or organization. There are different forms of corruption. It includes extortion, nepotism, parochialism, bribery, patronage, cronyism, etc. Corruption may lead to human and drug trafficking, money laundering, police brutality, repression of opponents, etc.
Corruption in nigeria is like a disease to the economy. Not only does it holds the economy from reaching new heights but also prevent the country development. Corruption in nigeria is becoming bigger day by day because of people increasing want in life.
Forms of Corruption
A Bribe involves a payment made to any official for the exchange of use of his official powers. It involves two parties: the one who pays for any favor and the one who accepts the payment for official powers.
Influence peddling or trading in influence involves three parties to act. It means a person or organization selling their influence over the decision-making process so that a third party profits from it.
Favoring supporters (Patronage), favoring relatives (Nepotism) and favoring friends (Cronyism) of an official for private gain are forms of corruption. In these many incompetent people are leaders in the system over the able ones.
Illegal interference with the election process is Electoral fraud. The theft of entrusted public funds for personal benefit is Embezzlement.
Effects of Corruption
Political effect: Corruption becomes a major roadblock for the rule of law and democracy. The political system loose its legitimacy when power is used for private advantage.
Economical effect: It depletes national wealth. The betterment of the communities and societies are compromised for the benefit of the profit of some officials, therefore, leads to the misuse of national resources.
Social effect: The community or society gives up trust in the system. This makes it even more challenging to remove corruption from the system.
Environmental effect: Corruption results in the degradation and exploitation of precious natural resources. This results in turbulence in the ecological systems.
Ways to fight Corruption
There are five ways of fighting corruption.
Effective law enforcement is the key to ensure the corrupt culprit is punished. For this purpose, we need a strong legal framework.
Steps focussing on improving financial management and strengthening the role of auditing agencies will help in curbing corruption. This will include transparent and participatory budgeting by local communities and local governments.
The tradition of government openness, freedom of the press, transparency, and access to information help in curbing corruption.
Strengthening citizens’ demand and empowering them to make government accountable is a great approach to build mutual trust between the government and the citizens.
The international financial system should be under the scanner to stop money laundering by corrupt officials. Hence, major financial institutes need to put a check to stop their banks and allied financial centers across the globe from accepting illegal flows of money.
Conclusion
To sum it up, Corruption is the biggest evil of any society. All necessary steps must be taken to eliminate this evil. Not only the ones with power but at times even the weaker section of the society tend to become a culprit in this.
I hope that from now on every individual will strictly oppose and prevent corrupt activities from occurring anywhere around us. Thus, this will ensure the complete socio-economic and political development of our society and country at large. with combined efforts of government and people, corruption can be definitely eradicated in nigeria, let’s join our hands together and stop corruption in nigeria for a better country.
Author, Muwahib
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines corruption as a dishonest or illegal behaviour especially by powerful people such as government officials. The root word here is corrupt which means to change from good to bad in morals, manners or actions.
We can therefore imply that one does not become corrupt overnight, but begins the process the moment he begins to lose the values that guides him. Sadly, this is the condition of Nigeria. The fundamental principles of justice, love and equality has been lost hence the prevalence of corruption in every strata of society. From top to bottom: the arms of government, civil society, public and private institutions, security agencies and even in our schools. Moral degradation is the order of the day. We have heard about it for so long, the youths of today practically grew up in the failed system and have almost accepted it as a norm. But no! we must not do so.
Corruption threatens the very existence of our country. It has resulted in the death of many, it has cut short the dreams and aspirations of its citizens and reduced the worth of our dearly beloved country in the eyes of the world. It is the reason for lack, hunger and deprivation in the midst of abundance. We must fight it!
Corrupt officials must realize that it is not about how much they stand to gain from conducting themselves improperly, whether by collecting bribes or selling favours, it is about the decay that it causes to the system. Others should not be comfortable being applauded outside while condoning such impunity behind closed doors. There is the temptation to yield to the corrupt system, but no, we must fight to protect our integrity.
On this day, I call upon every patriotic Nigerian, especially the youths to shun every form of corruption. I call upon the government and leaders in various capacities to desist from the very act that threatens our peace and development as a nation. Nigerians deserve better.
Our progress individually and as a nation depends on our resolve to deal in honesty and all fairness wherever we find ourselves. It is only on this foundation that our unborn generations be able to build a stronger society. A corruption-free Nigeria will have posterity thank us.
The change begins with you and I. Together we can break the corruption chain!
Author, Ejiro Mercy Lucky
United Nations SDG's - Decade of Action 