Every time you buy a Newspaper or turn on television these past few months, there seems to be news of fraud, scandals, corruption and theft of Billions of Naira from the Coppers of the Federal Government of Nigeria. These news items do not include the frauds in the local Government and States as well as other agencies of Government. This clearly shows or confirms the worst fears of Nigerians that their country has been taken over by corrupt and thieving officials.
Nigerians have become accustomed to revelations of official theft, corruption and several other ills that are keeping the country down. The political system and the governance have created a den of thieves. This den of thieves is protected by the highest echelons of leadership and there is nothing we can do.
From look of things corruption is legal in Nigeria and has become a big industry in Nigeria encouraged and nurtured by the very people entrusted with responsibilities to work for the country. No matter who you are and how you view things it is hard to deny that fact. It appears all these sleazes have the blessing and approval of the power brokers and there is nothing anybody can do about. It is a way of life and it now either you are with them or not.
There is something amazing about the Nigerian Corruption Industry that the ordinary mind cannot understand. The culprits, the people behind the corruption cartel have never been caught, pursued or jailed but a shielded by the system. The corruption cartel appears very strong and is protected by powerful patron. Their case is that of immunity and impunity taken too far.
It is on record in Northern Nigeria that many district heads and sons of powerful emirs were jailed and dethroned for dipping their hands in the treasuries of various Native Authorities but not now!
SNAPSHOT OF THE CORRUPTION INDUSTRY
The Maina Gate, which is currently the top corruption hot potatoes which really reveals how callous and wicked the corruption cartel are. People feasting and profiting from the pains and agony of innocent Nigerians pensioners. This represents the lowest point of the level of moral decay we are going through. The involvement of this regime in the Maina saga confuses Nigerians because it happened during GEJ regime but how does this Administration get involved is something we do not understand.
Recently the Los Angeles Time published a report and headlined: Bribes, Debt, 100$ Billion lost- Nigeria can’t keep power on. This report tallies with what SERAP alleged and which Daily Trust made editorial comment on.
Quartz International of Nov 24, 2017: Nigerian Kelptocrats have toxic love affair with London expensive real estate- from Maitama to May fair, Dubai and New York in this report it is said Nigeria has lost an estimated $230 Billion or more in illegal financial outflows since 2004 equal to $1230 for every citizen.
There is a message being circulated about comment made by the former British Prime Cameron that “ If the amount of money stolen from Nigeria in the last 30 years was stolen from the UK .The UK would cease to exist”
Just last week another gate reared it is head Oando Gate.
The list can go on and on and there seems no end to it. This does not include a more deadly form of corruption of nepotism. You can from above see why I call it an industry. We have been hearing about looters and fight in corruption but surprisingly everything is shrouded in secrecy. I could not believe that these are happening under the full view of a government of hope and change led by Mr. Clean and the only Mai gaskiya.
I thought in a politically correct country these things should give each and every one of us a sleepless night. Money meant for health, education and social things are literally converted into personal wealth.
On the religions front the story is much uglier with Nigerians pastors being amongst the world’s wealth while the Izala Group on the Muslim side have been extorting State government under the guise of Waazin Kasa.
For God’s sake how can a country progress with this level of corruption? Nigerian Children - from Nursery to University are all aware of this and they will all be raised in the same way and they will be infected by this corruption.
I was having a discussion with a Professor a friend of mine many years ago why nothing is being done about corruption. He told me this is a consensus country and you can get away with anything without consequences as the consensus card will be used to kill the matter-religion, tribe etc.
The consequences of this corruption are very dangerous and they would rear their heads sooner or later. The country is impoverished. The sad aspect of this thing is the government will tell its citizens that she cannot do everything for us but the same government refuses to do anything to the people stealing the people’s resources and in some cases even shield them.
What a system! Certainly this system is created by the people we trusted. The corruption deluge will remain with us until the end of time.
I am not an economist but I wonder what kind economy can absorb this? Is Nigerian economy that resilience that can absorb this level of stealing?
God help Nigeria!
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