We need to eradicate corruption

It is very saddening and fearful how corruption has grown in this country. In fact, it has become a cog in the wheel of the nation’s progress and has incessantly frustrated the realisation of our national goals, despite the enormous natural and human resources in the country.

Over the years, successive governments in Nigeria have evolved various measures, policies and programs to combat the menace of corruption. Among the measures were: the war against indiscipline, confiscation of assets illegally acquired by citizens. There were even codes of conduct for civil and public service officers. Unfortunately, we are not succeeding in the war. Instead, corruption is permeating all aspects of our lives. Nowhere is spared.

In the political system, most of the elected and appointed public office holders and top bureaucrats use their position of authority to actively engage in corrupt practices. This development leads to absence of basic infrastructure; such as potable water, good road network, poor health care services among others.

To tackle this issue, we must come together to fight it. We must make a conscious effort to address it once and for all. People should learn to be content with what they have, that way they will not be tempted to take things that do not belong to them.

Government should punish anyone who is found guilty of corrupt practices as a way of deterring others who may want to engage in such.

If we are able to eradicate corruption from Nigeria, most of our problems including insecurity will be over.

Mubarak Said wrote this piece from Gombe State