Since Independence, two major agents of destruction – politics and corruption – have refused to release their clutches on the soul of Nigeria thereby emasculating and draining its potentials and diming its focus. These agents have shown no mercy on the economy and the growth of the country. True to type, they have spread their tentacles and have become deadlier species as the years go by.
For instance, corruption has become a virus that has eaten up every fabric of the country. No wonder people believe more in money than in service; people believe in money rather than in patriotic ventures. Some time ago, the car of this writer stopped along a street and here where some secondary students returning from school. I beckoned on them to assist me push the car to start. They bluntly told me that their service was not going to be free of charge. I understood what they meant. I assembled and lectured them on what service to fellow human being is all about, especially service to elders. The problem facing the country today is because we as a country never took cognizance of the backlash of what corruption will cause in the country. Our leaders underrated the monster called corruption. They had thought that it cannot grow into a monster that it is today. Even as we speak, the government that claimed it is fighting corruption has no template on how to gradually eliminate the monster. All the government is interested is how to retrieve stolen money from those who are alleged to had looted the treasury. In other countries, strategic plans are put in place on how to unearth this dastardly act. If we see corruption as a monster, then we should have a concrete plan and strategy on how to kill it before it starts killing the country. How can individuals be so mindless and seize the opportunity of being in office to embezzle huge sums of money without any trace. So, because he went scot free, others also attempt to do the same and even worse. The question is: why won’t the people steal when there are no corrective measures in place? Why won’t people steal when, instead of scorning such person, we applaud and even honour them with chieftaincy titles? Why won’t they steal when, after stealing, the church prays for them with their tithe and even offer them the front seat? These vanities must stop. It can only stop when the government is more serious with the corruption war, and also start inculcating good moral virtues in our children. Even while we cry over the spilt milk of corruption, politics is another main problem of the country. Each time the wind of campaign is blowing around the corner, there is palpable fear in the air. Since 1960, there has been no political campaign in the country that has not seen the death of innocent Nigerians. It has become very obvious that politics in the country has become a toast for mayhem and devastation. It is during politics that agile young men are recruited as thugs by politicians who have no followership. Politicians who believe in money politics, they recruit thugs and arm them for devilish assignments .The main composition of thugs comprise mainly of school drop-outs and bus conductors popularly known as ” agberos” in Lagos area , while in the east they are mainly job seekers and the numerous unemployed youths, while in the north, the Almajeris constitute the bulk of the thugs used by politicians. A time was, when a governorship candidate vying for positions in the Riverine area went on a mass recruitment exercise of jobless youths and armed them as his thugs. These thugs were used as body guards and to perpetrate confusion during campaigns and elections. Unfortunately, after the election, the promised security jobs were not available and the recruited thugs turned the guns against the state and the people. Today, the country has suffered untold hardship sequel to that particular scene. Unfortunately the government is yet to descend heavily on those politicians recruiting thugs to foment trouble and mayhem. Only recently, ordinary congress of the ruling party turned out to be tales of woe as recruited political thugs were massively used to either disrupt the congress proceedings or unleashed attack on perceived opponents. The question is: for how long shall we continue to tolerate this kind of animalistic tendencies? Is this how politics is carried out in other countries? One wonders when you identify a good looking politician being associated with acts of thuggery. Observers believe that with the present situation unfolding with the APC congress across the country, it might not be far-fetched if people conclude that the main election in 2019 would be almost a “mini war”. Only time would tell.
Babandede getting it right
Nigerians are always appreciative of a good leader whenever they see or observe one. Mohammed Babandede, the current Comptroller-General of Immigration is one leader that Nigerians are yearning and praying for. Since his appointment, he has left no one in doubt about his sincerity and patriotism. A visit to the headquarters of the organization speaks volume. What impresses the people is how he has transformed the organization and revived the passport section. Today, it is obtaining passport without tears. This is the type of story that we want to be hearing from organizations and not like other organisations that love and swim in controversy. We applaud the leadership of immigration service for this good news that warms the heart and urge him and his officers to do more by ensuring the stoppage of illegal immigrants into Nigeria.