A former political adviser to the late Governor Abubakar Rimi of Kano State (1981-83), Dr Asikpo EssienIbok, has lamented what he described as endemic corruption in Nigeria, noting that the challenges of corruption and its attendant effects on the system have become so deep-rooted to be eradicated.
He recalled that the seed of corruption had been sown since independence, adding that it has become so hydra-headed to be defeated because successive administrations since 1960 had never been so patriotically committed to the war, not to mention winning it.
Speaking as a guest lecturer at a public lecture on “Corruption and National Development in Nigeria,” organised by the Facility of Management Sciences, University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, the elder statesman expressed dismay that Nigeria has been allowed to become the centre of sleaze with all forms of corruption in practice.
He said the country has experienced various levels of corruption, including institutional corruption, money laundering, corporate and resource mismanagement, transparency and accountability issues, and systemic corruption.
Asikpo attributed the causes of corruption in Nigeria to many factors, including weak governance and institutions, lack of transparency, political influence and patronage, economics, lack of accountability, cultural and social norms, complex regulatory environment, globalization and transnational corruption, political instability, and lack of ethical leadership.
According to him, “White-collar corruption has revealed a cancerous spread that the country refused to treat at its early stages of development. It is now becoming more pervasive and complex than public service corruption.”
Dr. Asikpo, however observed that, the prospect of meaningful national development in Nigeria depends largely on the maximum reduction of existing high level of corruption to a significant measure of tolerance.
He, therefore, made a case for strategic planning involving the reconstruction of the economy, political and social imperatives and better political leadership.
“The liberation of Nigeria’s national development from the shackles of endemic and systemic corruption rests on the radical reconstruction of our decadent socioeconomic and sociopolitical systems that breed corruption,” he stressed.
The chairman of the occasion, Prof. Trenchard Ibia, stated that corruption in Nigeria has a character, as everybody knows, feels, and discusses it, but no Nigerian accepts he is corrupt. He described corruption as “misuse, abuse or misapplication of position, privilege for personal gains.”
The vice chancellor, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, represented by his deputy Prof. Anthonia Essien, commended the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Ubom, for organising the public lecture, saying the topic was apt and impactful on the national psyche.
“Nothing can embarrass a nation like corruption, and this lecture calls on every Nigerian to stop corruption,” he said.