From Goddy Osuji Abakaliki
The Anglican Bishop of Afikpo Diocese Rt. Rev. Paul Udogu, has warned Nigerian leaders not to allow what happened in the Arab world to take place in Nigeria, just as he blamed them for all the socio-economic problems the country is currently passing through.
Bishop Udogu expressed this position in his presidential address during the Diocese’s synod at Christ Anglican Church, Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, adding that the greatest problem, facing Nigeria was not poverty, unemployment, and epileptic power supply but corruption where Nigeria is ranked 143 out of 182 countries by Transparency International in the 2011 corruption perception index.
He thanked God for the continuous existence of the country despite many challenges that threatened the unity of the country, saying: “Nigeria is a great country with great potentials. We are blessed with abundant natural endowment and human resources. We have all that is needed to make Nigeria stand tall in the midst of other nations and Nigerians walk proudly as Nigerians anywhere in the world.”
According to him: “Causes of corruption in Nigeria include greed; the desire to gather all for oneself and lack of contentment. Ostentatious lifestyle; a society in love of ostentatious lifestyle may delve into corrupt practices to feed the lifestyle and embrace a style of public sleaze and lack of decorum. Ethnicity, otherwise known as tribalism; people want their kinsmen in government to bring government house if possible to their village and favour their kinsmen. This is why some key Northern politicians and leaders insisted on Northern President otherwise they would make Nigeria ungovernable”.
He said that corruption has been prevalent throughout Nigerian history. Observing that it was kept at manageable level during the first Republic where cases of corruption then were sometimes occasioned by political infighting.
His words, “Under Shehu Shagari administration, a few federal building mysteriously went on fire after investigations started on the finances of the officials working in the building.”
“Gen. Buhari seized power in 1983 and accused the National Party of Nigeria NPN led government of corruption. Many political gladiators were convicted of corruption. However, the administration itself was involved in a few instances of lapsed ethical judgment.
The regime of Gen. Babangida was characterized by corruption. It is believed that under Babangida’s regime corruption was institutionalized in Nigeria. The administration failed to give account of the Gulf war windfall estimated to be $12.4 billion. He also annulled the democratic election of June 12 1993.
Abacha followed the path of his master. After his death in 1998 Swiss banks revealed in 2000 of about $600 million deposit by Abacha and his family members. In the same year, a total of more than $1 billion were found in various accounts of the General throughout Europe.
All subsequent regimes, military and civilian have been pervaded by corruption. It results in a combination of scandalous wealth among the ruling class, with growing poverty, misery and degradation among the masses of Nigerians. Political life has become dominated by winner takes all syndrome, political cynicism and violence, while the economy and social institutions have been driven into decay.”
He reasoned, “Corruption seems to have become an acceptable way of doing business for those in public offices. The government is powerless in its fight against corruption because those appointed to either investigate or prosecute are corrupt or loyal to their corrupt god-fathers. Recently we heard that about five Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC staff were jailed for taking bribe, because there is no will power and sincerity of purpose. It is disheartening that Nigeria as a nation is set on a visionless journey by selfish individuals that have controlled the resources of this country since its independence. They have metamorphosed from military to armed politicians, controlling the resources of this great nation, brutalizing its ability to grow, and shattering the hopes of millions of innocent citizens. Therefore, we are in a vicious circle and any attempt to step out of this circle can be seen as a betrayal of their masters.”
Judiciary
“It is unfortunate today that the judiciary is not helping matters in the war against corruption. There are high profile cases of corruption instituted by EFCC which had been struck out in recent past by High court judges either for lack of diligent prosecution on the part of EFCC’s lawyers or for lack of substance. Such cases include that of the former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, the former Governor of Delta state Chief James Ibori. It is too appalling that the same James Ibori whose charges were struck out by the Nigerian court is jailed for 13 years by a UK court for the same offence”.
Arguing, “If corruption should be reduced in Nigeria, the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies such as the ICPC, the police and the judiciary must sit up. Corruption is seen in almost all the sectors of our national life, be it in banking, oil and gas, economy, education, politics and agriculture. The list is endless. In the recent times from the $16 million spent on power under Obasanjo administration, to the banking sector scandal that saw the closure of many banks to the oil subsidy removal revelation of shame to the Hon. Faruk Lawal and Otetola bribery saga”.
Revolution
“While we do not advocate for revolution at this time, however, we believe our leaders should learn from the Arab uprising and the reactions of Nigerians when the oil subsidy was removed. This is because a man cannot be held forever on a ground one day he may take his destiny into his hands and will fight for his liberation.”
The Anglican Bishop of Afikpo Diocese Rt. Rev. Paul Udogu, has warned Nigerian leaders not to allow what happened in the Arab world to take place in Nigeria, just as he blamed them for all the socio-economic problems the country is currently passing through.
Bishop Udogu expressed this position in his presidential address during the Diocese’s synod at Christ Anglican Church, Okposi, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, adding that the greatest problem, facing Nigeria was not poverty, unemployment, and epileptic power supply but corruption where Nigeria is ranked 143 out of 182 countries by Transparency International in the 2011 corruption perception index.
He thanked God for the continuous existence of the country despite many challenges that threatened the unity of the country, saying: “Nigeria is a great country with great potentials. We are blessed with abundant natural endowment and human resources. We have all that is needed to make Nigeria stand tall in the midst of other nations and Nigerians walk proudly as Nigerians anywhere in the world.”
According to him: “Causes of corruption in Nigeria include greed; the desire to gather all for oneself and lack of contentment. Ostentatious lifestyle; a society in love of ostentatious lifestyle may delve into corrupt practices to feed the lifestyle and embrace a style of public sleaze and lack of decorum. Ethnicity, otherwise known as tribalism; people want their kinsmen in government to bring government house if possible to their village and favour their kinsmen. This is why some key Northern politicians and leaders insisted on Northern President otherwise they would make Nigeria ungovernable”.
He said that corruption has been prevalent throughout Nigerian history. Observing that it was kept at manageable level during the first Republic where cases of corruption then were sometimes occasioned by political infighting.
His words, “Under Shehu Shagari administration, a few federal building mysteriously went on fire after investigations started on the finances of the officials working in the building.”
“Gen. Buhari seized power in 1983 and accused the National Party of Nigeria NPN led government of corruption. Many political gladiators were convicted of corruption. However, the administration itself was involved in a few instances of lapsed ethical judgment.
The regime of Gen. Babangida was characterized by corruption. It is believed that under Babangida’s regime corruption was institutionalized in Nigeria. The administration failed to give account of the Gulf war windfall estimated to be $12.4 billion. He also annulled the democratic election of June 12 1993.
Abacha followed the path of his master. After his death in 1998 Swiss banks revealed in 2000 of about $600 million deposit by Abacha and his family members. In the same year, a total of more than $1 billion were found in various accounts of the General throughout Europe.
All subsequent regimes, military and civilian have been pervaded by corruption. It results in a combination of scandalous wealth among the ruling class, with growing poverty, misery and degradation among the masses of Nigerians. Political life has become dominated by winner takes all syndrome, political cynicism and violence, while the economy and social institutions have been driven into decay.”
He reasoned, “Corruption seems to have become an acceptable way of doing business for those in public offices. The government is powerless in its fight against corruption because those appointed to either investigate or prosecute are corrupt or loyal to their corrupt god-fathers. Recently we heard that about five Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC staff were jailed for taking bribe, because there is no will power and sincerity of purpose. It is disheartening that Nigeria as a nation is set on a visionless journey by selfish individuals that have controlled the resources of this country since its independence. They have metamorphosed from military to armed politicians, controlling the resources of this great nation, brutalizing its ability to grow, and shattering the hopes of millions of innocent citizens. Therefore, we are in a vicious circle and any attempt to step out of this circle can be seen as a betrayal of their masters.”
Judiciary
“It is unfortunate today that the judiciary is not helping matters in the war against corruption. There are high profile cases of corruption instituted by EFCC which had been struck out in recent past by High court judges either for lack of diligent prosecution on the part of EFCC’s lawyers or for lack of substance. Such cases include that of the former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, the former Governor of Delta state Chief James Ibori. It is too appalling that the same James Ibori whose charges were struck out by the Nigerian court is jailed for 13 years by a UK court for the same offence”.
Arguing, “If corruption should be reduced in Nigeria, the EFCC and other anti-corruption agencies such as the ICPC, the police and the judiciary must sit up. Corruption is seen in almost all the sectors of our national life, be it in banking, oil and gas, economy, education, politics and agriculture. The list is endless. In the recent times from the $16 million spent on power under Obasanjo administration, to the banking sector scandal that saw the closure of many banks to the oil subsidy removal revelation of shame to the Hon. Faruk Lawal and Otetola bribery saga”.
Revolution
“While we do not advocate for revolution at this time, however, we believe our leaders should learn from the Arab uprising and the reactions of Nigerians when the oil subsidy was removed. This is because a man cannot be held forever on a ground one day he may take his destiny into his hands and will fight for his liberation.”
TheSun
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