Ovation magazine publisher, Dele Momodu has identified less focus on institutions as a major reason Nigeria is losing the war against corruption.
He said this in reaction to the new report by Transparency International (TI) revealing that the perception of corruption in Nigeria worsened between 2016 and 2017.
Ovation magazine publisher, Dele Momodu has identified less focus on institutions as a major reason Nigeria is losing the war against corruption.
He said this in reaction to the new report by Transparency International (TI) revealing that the perception of corruption in Nigeria worsened between 2016 and 2017.
Nigeria ranked 148 out of 180 countries assessed in 2017 on the Transparency International annual Corruption Perception Index, showing a deterioration in perception of corruption in public administration in Nigeria compared to 2016.
In an article published on Saturday with the title: ‘Why we are not winning the war against corruption’, Momodu noted that what is greatly needed is the creation of strong institutions rather than strong personalities.
He wrote: “The idea that corruption can only be fought buy one corruption Czar or one person as President must stop. Indeed, that in itself could breed corruption for nothing corrupts more than power. As the saying goes, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
“With strong institutions, all the safeguards and checks already put in place by our Constitution and other enabling laws can thrive. Things will work, seamlessly, regardless of whoever it is we have at the helm of affairs.
“The executive must be willing and ready. The economy must improve drastically. We can preach from now till kingdom come, but an empty stomach would always rumble and grumble. Mass poverty is the greatest tester and tempter of faith. The Executive and the Legislature must work harder together to create an enabling environment and justice for all.
“In this regard, the notion that these politicians are legitimately stealing the country blind, by voting humongous salaries for themselves, must be erased and eradicated. The Judiciary must be encouraged, at all times, to do justice without fear or favour. We have witnessed too much intimidation of the Judiciary in recent time and this does not augur well for the fight against corruption.
“The trial and conviction of alleged offenders on the pages of newspapers and on social media is also very wrong and terrible. No Nigerian should be pronounced guilty summarily without being tried and found guilty in a proper court of Justice.”
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