By Sadiya Muhammad Rabi’u
Nigeria is a country blessed with so many minerals resources, agricultural produced and also with hospitable citizens that always work for country’s progress; but some of our leaders make used their positions and divert public funds meant for executing projects while leaving millions of people suffering. Years back, people were anticipating that, with the emergence of Buhari as President things would be better and smooth, despite several corrupt leaders arrested, corruption is still eating the flesh of Nigeria whereby public office holders are channelling national treasures to themselves .
In 2015, when General Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria emerged as a President things begin to change back to it’s normal ways, while gradually the cabals realized that he was there to expose their past corrupt deeds and then they started leaving Nigeria for abroad. Some of them even connived with Buhari’s cook and poisoned him which forced him to flied to United Kingdom for treatments; after his returned, he lowered the fight against them which led to the rebirth of corruption in our land.
Similarly, corruption started growing again beyond the years back, in many areas like schools whereby if you did not bribe official they would not grant you even admission. As a graduate with good grades, if you refuse to pay some amounts you would not get work down to hospitals where we have nurses that collect money to let sick ones in order to consult doctors. Contractors used substandard materials when given contract despite huge money for buying necessary equipments given to them. Police officers that supposed to be friends of all are turning to demons by collecting bribe to let criminals go free, bail on papers is free but in stations its not ad one must pay even if court says the victim is not guilty.
Also, their are top ranking officials that are receiving salaries of many, they there names of people that are not physically there working under them but monthly salaries of such ghost are going directly to those individuals’ accounts. Still, unqualified are employed to be carrying-out tasks in important organizations, instead of giving the chance to so other people that have the experience and skills partaining the job; just one person deterred hundreds from the jobs. Some people are using others’ qualifications without giving kobo to them when salaries are paid.
Corruption is leading to all sorts of criminalities, someone might be looking for a job that he or she can perform well but because he or she is nobody or did not know officials; they end-up not getting the jobs and as a result of that lack patience push them to join thugs to rob, kidnap and kill all for money.
The most unfortunate part devastating many is when you go to higher institutions, we normally know that students there live on their own, do whatever they like without been warned because parents or guardians are not always there. Students give bribe to score higher while some ladies sacrifice their virginities to pass exams, if unfortunately they get pregnant, they resort to abortion where in the process many loss their precious lives.
Corruption has already dominated Nigerians in such a way that both the rich, the middle class and the poor see it as the only way out; if you can gather ten to twenty people and give them money to one of them to share, its always difficult to see people sharing equally. Almost all the minds are now been corrupted.
In mosques, churches where people go for worship are now turning to something else, if you give Imam or Pastor kobo to drop into the boxes, they do so but now they are the ones looking for such opportunities to embezzle such monies. They would be preaching people should be trustworthy, truthful and contented while some of them are not because its God on their tongues but evil in their actions.
Every blessed day corruption is getting higher despite the fact that we have the most trust worthy President, but why?, effort should be made in takling corruption in Nigeria, through indepth investigations by members of the officers of EFCC, ICPC and government should pass the law which would give them right to even invite those in power for questioning regarding corruption cases. Corrupt leaders should be punished and their court judgements should be disseminated to radio and televisions so that like-minded leaders to be warned. Let’s join our hands together to make Nigeria a corrupt free country and also retain its dignity as the ‘Giant of Africa’ by not involving in giving or collecting bribe for whatever reasons.
Sadiya Muhammad Rabi,u writes from the department of mass communication,abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi.
