The Nigeria Union of Journalists has stated that the fight against corruption will remain a futility if professionals who ought to be gatekeepers in both private and public sphere are not carried along by the Government and policy.
The Delta State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu made the observation during a lecturer he delivered at the 2017 Annual General Meeting, AGM organized by the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN which held at the Nigerian Institute of Surveyors,NIS Secretariat in Uvwie Local Government Area today.
Ikeogwu said it is a “misnomer” for policy makers to jettison professionals in their plans to fight against corruption because of their privileged position in facilitating the day to day running of the country particularly the private and public sector.
Ikeogwu noted that Nigerian leaders thrive on corrupt practices, promote corrupt acts, live in affluence with corrupt proceeds and intimidate whoever dares to challenge them with their ill-gotten wealth.
Ikeogwu who spoke on the theme” The role of Professionals in the fight against Corruption” stated that the difference in corruption between Nigeria and other countries is” the arrogance and brazen display of impunity by those who perpetuate this ignoble practice.”
Ikeogwu who described corruption as any dishonest or illegal behaviour, especially of people in authority/privileged position for personal aggrandizement also stated that virtually every sector of the Nigerian economy have been compromised hence the rot in the system that have given rise to high profile corruption and corrupt Nigerians walking shoulder high on the street of our dear country.
Ikeogwu pointed out that successive governments have continued to invent and re-invent more sophisticated ways of siphoning our common heritage.
“These days, they have exploited through over-bloated contracts, abandoned projects, non-standard projects, adulterated products, security vote, jumbo pay and allowances, election rigging, the list can go on and on.”
“Appointments into strategic public offices are often over-politicized both at Federal and State levels. Known perpetrators of frauds often become godfathers who sponsor candidates into elected offices. Some end up being appointed into exalted offices by those they sponsored while the few patriotic and credible leaders are either shown the way out or are frustrated if they refuse to identify with the bandwagon effect.”
“Likewise, due processes are ignored in the award of contracts and employments. This often gives room to manipulation and skimming.”
Ikeogwu also stated that the proceeds of corruption are often used to prompt illicit activities while proponent of corrupt practices are usually associated with impunity and poor governance, low standard of living and low output.
Ikeogwu said that every deliberate steps taken by taken by successive governments in the country to end the scourge have been defiled.
“Even the most potent antidotes that cured corruption in other climes have succumbed to this growing monster.”
He cautioned that the fight against corruption will remain an “illusion” if the gatekeepers (professionals) are not adequately carried along, reasonably empowered and properly kitted for the onerous fight to stamp out and reduce the cankerworm to the barest minimum.
Ikeogwu also called on governments at all levels and the drivers of the private sector to provide the conducive environment for the professionals to practice their respective callings without undue interference as they (professionals) remain one of the key solutions in the fight against corruption.
