Most Nigerians love to complain about corruption and lament its negative effect in our nation. Corruption is bemoaned as the bane of Nigeria. We point to our poor public infrastructure and social services as the consequences of corruption. We fantasize about how great our country would be when we become corruption-free.
We even celebrate Governors who are "performing" even though there is proof that they properties and other assets which they own could not have been acquired from their public service salaries and allowances. We say we do not mind if they "chop" our money as long as they leave enough to patch our roads, clear garbage from our streets, plant flowers in select public spaces and provide services which, in other climes, are expected of the government.
We have been so let down by our governments over the last 54 years such that we have become too easy to impress. A Local Government Chairman who owes just three months salaries to the Local Government employees while he is building his third mansion and being driven around in a convoy of vehicles (including several choice ones like Range Rovers and Toyota Land Cruisers) on the untarred roads is applauded as "performing" as even by those who travel out of the country often and see how things are in better-governed places.
When a politically exposed person we like or to whom we are connected in some way (may be by religion, tribe, state of origin, geo-political zone, political party etc.) is accused of corruption and is put on trial, we are quick to rise to his/her defence. He/she is being persecuted we claim. After all, "Chief So and So" is also corrupt and has not been similarly charged. We never believe there is no ill motive for arraigning a public official accused of corruption. And we never have verifiable evidence against those we point to as being equally corrupt or probably more corrupt than "our man" (or woman).
And since every Nigerian loves to speak against corruption and corrupt people, who really are these corrupt Nigerians then?
Who then is taking bribes?
Who then is paying bribes?
Who then is inflating contracts?
Who then is that public servant that has companies with which he/she is awarding contracts to himself/herself contrary to the Public Service Rules and Regulations?
Who then is fronting for politically exposed persons?
Who then is opening the bank accounts for politically exposed persons and helping them launder their loot despite the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria's Know Your Customer Manual (KYC) and the regulations on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing?
Who are these corrupt Nigerians?
WHY ARE WE LIKE THIS?
Corruption is not about "You, "Him", "Her" or "Them". It is about ME.
Take a look at the person in the mirror. Yes, ME. And ask "Me" the following questions:
Do I take bribes?
Do I pay bribes?
Do I inflate contracts?
As a public servant, do I own a company or companies with which I award contracts to myself or my fronts contrary to the Public Service Rules and Regulations?
Am I fronting for politically exposed persons?
Have I been opening bank accounts for politically exposed persons and helping them launder their loot despite the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria's Know Your Customer Manual (KYC) and the regulations on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing?
Be honest now: AM I CORRUPT?
Nigeria will be no better than Nigerians.
LET US SACK CORRUPTION AND KLEPTOCRATS IN NIGERIA!
Join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stand.against.corruption.and.kleptocrats/
God bless Nigeria.
Nigeria di fure!
We even celebrate Governors who are "performing" even though there is proof that they properties and other assets which they own could not have been acquired from their public service salaries and allowances. We say we do not mind if they "chop" our money as long as they leave enough to patch our roads, clear garbage from our streets, plant flowers in select public spaces and provide services which, in other climes, are expected of the government.
We have been so let down by our governments over the last 54 years such that we have become too easy to impress. A Local Government Chairman who owes just three months salaries to the Local Government employees while he is building his third mansion and being driven around in a convoy of vehicles (including several choice ones like Range Rovers and Toyota Land Cruisers) on the untarred roads is applauded as "performing" as even by those who travel out of the country often and see how things are in better-governed places.
When a politically exposed person we like or to whom we are connected in some way (may be by religion, tribe, state of origin, geo-political zone, political party etc.) is accused of corruption and is put on trial, we are quick to rise to his/her defence. He/she is being persecuted we claim. After all, "Chief So and So" is also corrupt and has not been similarly charged. We never believe there is no ill motive for arraigning a public official accused of corruption. And we never have verifiable evidence against those we point to as being equally corrupt or probably more corrupt than "our man" (or woman).
And since every Nigerian loves to speak against corruption and corrupt people, who really are these corrupt Nigerians then?
Who then is taking bribes?
Who then is paying bribes?
Who then is inflating contracts?
Who then is that public servant that has companies with which he/she is awarding contracts to himself/herself contrary to the Public Service Rules and Regulations?
Who then is fronting for politically exposed persons?
Who then is opening the bank accounts for politically exposed persons and helping them launder their loot despite the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria's Know Your Customer Manual (KYC) and the regulations on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing?
Who are these corrupt Nigerians?
WHY ARE WE LIKE THIS?
Corruption is not about "You, "Him", "Her" or "Them". It is about ME.
Take a look at the person in the mirror. Yes, ME. And ask "Me" the following questions:
Do I take bribes?
Do I pay bribes?
Do I inflate contracts?
As a public servant, do I own a company or companies with which I award contracts to myself or my fronts contrary to the Public Service Rules and Regulations?
Am I fronting for politically exposed persons?
Have I been opening bank accounts for politically exposed persons and helping them launder their loot despite the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria's Know Your Customer Manual (KYC) and the regulations on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing?
Be honest now: AM I CORRUPT?
Nigeria will be no better than Nigerians.
LET US SACK CORRUPTION AND KLEPTOCRATS IN NIGERIA!
Join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stand.against.corruption.and.kleptocrats/
God bless Nigeria.
Nigeria di fure!
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