Getting it right as a nation, by ADEWALE Kupoluyi

Nigeria is abundantly blessed in human, natural and material resources. It has the potentials of becoming great, if these endowments are well-harnessed and utilised. In achieving this, the citizenry must be ready to make this desired transformation possible, as agents of change and impetus for nation building, as an epitome of discipline, integrity and patriotism. A robust discourse on this subject-matter recently took place that is worth sharing. The forum was the Kingdom Men Mega Summit 2018, held in Lagos and themed “Perfect for Purpose”. Eminent personalities made veryinspiring presentations at the occasion. Of utmost concern in this analysis is the paper delivered by Sir Folu Olamiti, a Fellow of Nigerian Guild of Editors and the immediate past Resident Media Consultant to the anti-graft agency; Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). Sir Olamiti’s paper was titled, “Personal and Institutional Integrity”. According to him, integrity is the attributes of being honest and having strong moral principles, sterling qualities or moral uprightness. He linked integrity with honesty; as human behaviour that is predictably devoid of lying, deceit and cheating others. Cheating, he stressed, destroys trust and ruins individual, group cooperation and cohesion. While making reference to an article written by Caveni Wong, in the AntiCorruption International Blog, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, where the author admitted that cheating is an integral part of corruption, he averred that many people cheat when asked to do self-report of their performance on a task, especially, when the reward for such is higher pay, cautioning that it does not pay to cheat others. Sir Olamiti, a Knight of the Order of Saint Christopher of the Anglican Communion, warned that integrity should never be compromised to gain money, power or prestige, as “integrity is a fundamental value sought by employers in their employees – private, corporate or public life. It is the trait of a person, who exhumes sound, moral and ethical principles at work and in life generally. Integrity is the foundation on which workers build trust as well as effective interpersonal relationships, which should be the underpinning principle behind both public and private workers in their offi cial relationships with the larger society. It is universally upheld and appreciated accordingly that people, who exhibit integrity draw others to them because they are trustworthy and dependable”. The guest speaker asked: “Can our society be said to be genuinely and roundlyblessed with men and women of integrity? Is integrity ever allowed? Is integrity unanimously?” Before going too far, he said: the “answer will be a resounding no”. Sir Olamiti, a former Executive Director (Publications) of the Nigerian Tribune and incumbent Chairman, Anglican Cable Network (Nigeria) Management Board, gave a number of recommendations on how corruption can be curbed, such that the cherished values of honesty, integrity and discipline would become the order of the day in the country. “To begin with, there is need for attitudinal change. This must cut across all strata of our national life. We should see corruption as a serious plague. The family, educational and institutions should be up to this task of moral rejuvenation. Secondly, those found guilty by law for corrupt practices should be banned for life, to serve as deterrent to others. Hardwork, honesty and diligence should always be appreciated”, he said. “Th irdly, political offices should be made less juicy in order to discourage do-ordie politicking and promote genuine service to nation building. To enhance better stewardship and reduction in the cost of governance, there is the need to explore the possibility of unicameral legislature involving part-time law making. Furthermore, well-designed mechanisms should be put in place to make Nigerian leaders more accountable through objective appraisal and assessment of their promises before, and during their tenures in office. Administration of justice system should be faster to make it possible to curb bureaucratic graft withease”. Additionally, he recommended that “E-governance and the deployment of information technology to government business should reduce the involvement of person-toperson financial transactions. Any person aspiring to lead this country should have a minimum of first degree. Anticorruption agencies should be better funded and staff ed to perform their statutory duties. Appointment of the headship of these agencies should not be taken away from Mr. President (of Nigeria). More importantly, the media should continue to play its watch-word role in the society”. He cautioned that Nigeria and Africa in general “would remain clay-footed, to catch up with the monumental developments in the other continents of the world”, unless and until we embark on genuine change. No doubt, the rich and wellresearched paper – even though did not dwell much on what makes people to be corrupt, such as moral decadence and weak state institutions – is in tandem with its objective of the organisers of the mega summit; to raise and men that would in turn, raise and disciple other men in an unbroken chain of victory and godly prosperity. It is only hoped that the resource persons, participants and those opportune to ruminate over the issues raised above would become better citizens for our dear nation.