Personal and institutional integrity

HAVING  gone this little stretch, to explain integrity at both personal and institutional levels, the natural question that follows is: Can our society be said to be genuinely and roundly blessed with men and women of integrity? Is integrity ever allowed? Is integrity unanimously? The answer will be a resounding NO! And, the reasons for this are not farfetched. Taking from the macro-level of governance, the monumental graft issues being exposed and handled by anti-corruption institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and even International Police (INTERPOL), are enough evidence of the abyss of the level of degeneration in our society today, based on massive dishonesty and unbridled display of lack of integrity by some of our political leaders, private and public functionaries.

Integrity failure in our society is not just about political leaders or politicians, who promise what they know they would never do for the electorate because of their greed, monumental corruption and culture of primitive acquisition. It is about what has been happening in the business and economic sectors. Here, a quick reminder is the ugly situation of the infamous Wonder Banks of late last century and the near collapse of the banking system at the turn of the current decade in our country. In recent times, the shaky pillar of our beleagued educational system has further been corroded with an absolute integrity deficiency issue of sex-for-pass-mark. Lastly, it must be stressed that at the micro or individual level, we are all culpable of integrity failure as we find it very convenient to lie and cheat in our official and interpersonal relationships within family, school, offices, market or business places, churches and mosques. A very sad side to all of this is that in most cases, we even lie, cheat and brazenly underscore our integrity failure by swearing in the name of Almighty God!

Meanwhile, let me assure that all hope is not lost. I believe that we can return to the path of probity, honesty and integrity by truly going into restitution of living our faith as established in the holy books. I strongly hold the belief that we can still return to the path of self-esteem and integrity in Nigeria, as way of life, as dictated by our cultural ethos and as it had been done in other saner societies, where things work organically for the overall good of all because of the existence of high level of integrity.

It is quite inspiring after reading my earlier narrative that I got a feedback from a colleague, Femi Adefemiwa, which reads: “What a sound argument! The resonating fact remains that there is no collective guilt but individual guilt. By nature, every human being is selfish and self-centered. The background of deprivation, which a significant number of those of us that are experienced and undue societal expectations from us, have all created some primordial tendencies in us to behave negatively. This is particularly so because of the infamous urge in us for primitive acquisitions. To make matters worse, justice in our land is always given to the higher bidder. So, an innocuous combination of these ills has put us where we are today. But we have to start somewhere. Cleaning the mess must not be a mere academic exercise, it has to be complete and total. Whether we are all guilty or not, we just have to draw a line and start from somewhere. And perhaps we have started. This, I believe we can achieve by consciously instituting and promoting at all times,  a culture of self-esteem in our families, and in all institutions of character-moulding and socialisation, from infancy through adolescence to adulthood. “

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Another colleague, Ademola Adigun, has this to say: “A lecturer wanting five rounds for pass. A policeman demanding money as bail from the citizens; a judge demanding millions for judgments, a public servant demanding money for his/her vote; and a clergyman demanding huge sums of money for blessings; leaders closing their eyes to corruption and nepotism; parents offering money for children’s admission into school or paying for examination questions; and a society rewarding incompetence; a society closing its mind such that mediocre do not get to the top in administration; a society that justifies all things in the name of politics, tribe, ethnicity and individual benefit; society that blackmail others for difference in thinking-nation that we are all striving to build but some working towards oppressing the other; a society where impunity  is the order of the day; a society with low or no expectations from their leaders; a society with conflict with itself; a society where all issues are swept under the carpet, depending on who holds the broom. Nigeria should no longer be part of such sick society.

On the way forward, a number of suggestions could be useful. 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 and imbibe good morals of integrity, honesty and sincerity. The family, educational and institutions should be up to this task of moral rejuvenation. Secondly, those found guilty by the law for corrupt practices should be banned for life, to serve as deterrent to others. Hardwork, honesty and diligence should always be appreciated. Thirdly, political offices should be made less juicy in order to discourage do-or-die 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 tenure in office. Administration of justice system should be faster to make it possible to curb bureaucratic graft with ease. E-governance and the deployment of information technology to government business should reduce the involvement of person to person  financial transactions . Any person aspiring to lead this country should have a minimum of first degree.

Anti-corruption agencies should be better funded and staffed to perform their statutory duties. Appointment of the headship of these agencies should not be taken away from Mr President . More importantly, the media should continue to play its watch-word role in the society. Obviously, our nation and Africa in general, would remain clay-footed, to catch up with the monumental developments in the other continents of the world, unless and in every existential undertakings that we embark upon. I charge you all at this summit to work towards truly making Nigeria a better place among comity of nations. Henceforth, at our personal and institutional levels, are consciously, habitually and enduringly pillared on all fronts by nothing else, but INTEGRITY and HONESTY, always.   Thank you all for listening.

• Being a paper delivered by Sir Folu Olamiti ( FGNE) at the Kingdom Men Mega Summit 2018, held in Lagos on May 17,2018.