Few days ago, the sleeping giant of Africa made a peaceful transition of power, first of its kind in the history of the nation. President Muhammadu buhari was sworn in with all hopes running high. Never in the history of this nation; as her populace had been so engrossed in politics as now. Basically, the people are tired from mediocratic leadership that has plunged this nation into uncountable woes since the beginning of democratic government.
The ball had been set rolling since May 29th. People are watching, international comity of nations are eagerly observing to see the turn of a new Nigeria. I heard a website had been hosted by well-meaning Nigerians to keep tab on the achievements of the new administration and the fulfilment of their manifesto. I could also sense the developing foetus in the womb are keeping watch on the promises and policies of President Muhammadu Buhari & VP Osinbajo. So many people had poured in suggestions and strategic plans to the new government on how to tackle all this issues and make Nigeria better. I also heard former president Olusegun Obasanjo offered free advisory services for President Muhammadu Buhari.
In all these rough and rumble, all the controversies that ousted Former president Jonathan from office and the charge of Nigerians for the new president Buhari; is to have zero tolerance for corruption. I had always thought in this conventional way that corruption is and was Nigeria’s problem until recently when I sat to think.
I checked up the meaning of corruption in wikitionary and saw various definition, but none caught my attention like this one – “ The act of changing, or of being changed, for the worse; departure from what is pure, simple, or correct; which leads to the state of being corrupted or debased; loss of purity or integrity; depravity, wickedness & bribery ”. So I realise corruption is not an accidental state but a process. I also discovered that corruption is not the absence of goodwill but the absence of right morals and belief in performing the goodwill. No matter how frantic we get, how ecstatic we are about the new government, there’s but a few they would achieve in their promises if the proper foundation is not set on proper living. It will take more than a century to wipe off corruption. Is there any parastatal today in both private and public sector that is not corrupt?
What makes a man corrupt is the society he leaves in. The society is the manufacturer of the corrupt student. The society is the mother of the corrupt pastor, Imam. The society is the life giver to the corrupt local government chairman, state governor, and the clueless president. This fundamental issue, if failed to be addressed; Nigeria development would still be a merry-go-round, a cycle of unproductive aggravation.
In my thoughts, I realised that Leadership is the solution to Nigeria’s problem. Knowledge is like a garden: if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested. If a man is not being trained on moral uprightness and leadership; one of the fruits of such men is corruption. There are basically two schools responsible for this training – 1. The Home 2. The society educational system (Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Institutions) .
The home is the primary trainer of a child moral uprightness, and God has saddled this responsibility on the fathers shoulder. “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” – Deuteronomy 6:5. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it”- Proverb 22:6. Further emphases (Ephesians 6:4). Parenting (Fatherhood) is the first bed rock of a corrupt free society. It is so unfortunate that many has failed in this 1st responsibility, and are quick to point fingers to the corrupt public office holder. My father wasn’t fortunate to visit the second school, but his father ensured he attends to his class work, assignment, test and examination in the first school and I’m proud to say he graduated with a first class.
The second school which we all regarded as formal school is meant to build on the foundations of the first school, or rather correct and reshape the foundation of a child if need be. But it also saddens that people who ought to be the upholder of morality and discipline, are the encourager of moral decadence. Lecturers selling copied handouts at exorbitant prices, teachers requesting for pay cheques before passing students, facilitators who prefers heavy pocket to diligent characters, old myopic men whose manhood dictates their actions. This second school further complicates Nigeria. It is supposed to be the perfecto of true leaders, but the reversed is the case.
A roaring lion kills no game. Our shouting, screaming, monitoring can only achieve little if these fundamental schools are not what it ought to be. Build the man, build the community (Man-o-war). It takes a whole village to raise a child. It’s not about folding your arms and minding your business; it’s a general corrective maintenance we all must take up to help this nation. A person is a person because of other persons. The child which is not yours, which you are in the position to correct, that you ignored; is going to be a friend to your son, daughter someday. And remember evil conversations corrupt good manners. This made me remember this woman I would never forget (Iya Deola Fabunmi), a neighbour and family friend. She lived close by to my parents place. She’s got a PHD in disciplinary actions for both her wards and the neighbours. You dare not misbehave when she’s around, you will be brought down – no matter how tall you are. She is a natural burden bearer.
Rain does not fall on one roof alone. If goodness is to come to this nation, if otherwise befalls us. We are all responsible. Be discipline. Obey traffic laws, obey pedestrian laws, and obey all environmental laws, even at the absence of law enforcements agencies officials. Be the change Nigeria needs. Be a leader. God bless Nigeria.

Adedokun Oluwaseyi Oluwatosin

Ok

Well articulated!

corruption is a beast to any country that deserves development. The beast needs to be taken away to allow peaceful co-existence between the followers and the leaders.