Corruption has proven impossible to curb in Nigeria mostly because of our culture that extolls fatalism, kinship allegiance and assumed responsibilities. Structural problems are easily correctible with policies and sometimes enforcement.
How do you expressly change a believe system that proclaims that corrupt government officials are God appointed and only deserves prayers and not challenge or criticism? How do you convince a state governor’s indigent kinship that his office does not make him responsible for their household expenses?
Things are simply done different in Africa. The bond in our extended family structure and our sense of responsibility and sacrifice for each other is a strength and it makes us a unique people in the world but the potential downside is that somehow, the few privileged are culturally bound to finance this structure. This is why agencies like EFCC, ICPC and the likes across sub-saharan Africa failed.
The answer to this problem has to be individual empowerment and independence through government policies that create opportunities for all. This idea does 2 things;
- The empowered individual is one that has acquired the skills, either through education or other means, required to become economically independent and be able to positively contribute to his/her community. This individual does not depend the uncle who is a director in a government ministry for his family expenses.
▪ Empowered individuals will collectively transform into a great community that forces a decent and open government because actions are challenged and answers demanded.
This summarily explains why Human Development is our mantra. We have to start thinking outside the box in tackling problems that are made peculiar by our culture and believes.
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