Inaction of Government Bane of Corruption - IAUE Professor Orluwene

This is the opinion of Professor Ozioma Bennett Orluwene while delivering the 53rd inaugural lecture of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) on Thursday March 28, 2024 at the university auditorium.

Apr 3, 2024 - 18:14

Inaction of Government Bane of Corruption - IAUE Professor Orluwene

Inability of Government at all levels to impose appropriate sanction against citizens found culpable has contributed to widespread corruption in Nigeria.

The Professor of Public Administration opined that corruption is now seen as the norm in both private and public spheres.

Nigerians, according to Professor Orluwene are counted among the richest in the world but its economy is underdeveloped with majority of the population wallowing in abject poverty and misery. The country, he stated is ranked as one of the poorest country in the world hence the poverty capital of the world and among the most corrupt people on earth.

The inaugural Lecturer noted that the so called religiosity of Nigerians has not in any way stopped those in position of power from exploiting the privilege they have been given by the people to serve at both the Local, State and National levels from abusing those positions through corrupt practices.

He informed that the Nigerian society tend to over emphasise individual goal attainment at the expense of the legitimate means of achieving these set goals. He observed that material acquisition has virtually become the ultimate goal and that the society does not appear to be concerned with how one makes it, all that is important is that one has arrived.

This marked discrepancy between the goals and means in the society, the Director of the University printing press and Bookshop added has invariably led to various forms of corruption such as embezzlement of public fund, offering and acceptance of bribe, electoral rigging, examination malpractice etc making it difficult to have a corruption free society especially as the Principal often times not only aid and abet corruption but also connives in the spreading of corruption.

The 53rd inaugural Lecturer hinted that economic condition of a society induces corruption and called for egalitarian distribution of wealth to reduce corruption to the barest minimum.

He stressed the need for the establishment or reform of the existing public service to the one that is built on rules and procedures stating that such procedures must be based on Integrity, merit, professionalism and patriotism imbued with the commitment to model against corruption.

The Professor of Public Administration advocated for stiffer sanctions for corrupt public officials or individuals to serve as deterrence against the institutionalisation of corrupt behaviour and anti-democratic value system.

A vibrant anti-graft agency devoid of political interest, and dependence on any powerful political class, Professor Orluwene continued should be instituted in the general fight against corruption. Such institutions should not only be constitutionally empowered to be independent, they should also be autonomously funded with appropriate legislation. The rule of law and constitutionalism should be strengthened to serve as deterrence against corruption he affirmed.

The Director concluded by advising politicians to avoid the temptation to play God in politics and to be God fearing and human loving as this will enable them eschew the Nigerian politician's characteristics of shamelessness, deceitfulness and selfishness. These he said would improve democracy, strengthen institutions and good governance.

In his remarks, the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE Professor Okechuku Onuchuku commended the 53rd inaugural Lecturer for a job well done and welcomed him to the medal class.

He called for caution and moderation in the manipulation of societal resources and described unemployment and poverty as a bane of corruption which has retarded economic growth and development in the country.

While lauding the Lecturer for doing justice to the topic of discuss, he urged those who amass wealth to reinvest the resources through building of factories, enhancement of massive industrialisation programme and provision of other facilities where they can atleast create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

In a vote of thanks, Professor Godwin Chukwuemeka Nwaeke expressed gratitude to all who came to identify with the university and the inaugural lecture and hoped that they would take the lessons learnt to better their lot and that of the country.