Opinions

Youth moral decadence and rot in our political system

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2 years ago

MORAL decadence among the youth is reaching a crescendo. Mmesoma Ejikeme is a prominent example of this. She is a 19-year-old girl who inflated her JAMB score. Mmesoma may not be the first to do so, but her case drew the attention of netizens, the media, philanthropists, Innocent Motors, and her state government. As I scrutinize Mmesoma’s ordeal through the lens of politics, it becomes evident that her hubris brought her down. While we may attribute it to youthful exuberance, we must also acknowledge the culpability of our political class in nurturing this moral decay. I state this with unwavering commitment, with no intention of shielding or exonerating her from her crime. It is equally essential to condemn those who attempted to exploit her situation by invoking victimhood, ethnicity, regionalism, sectionalism, tribalism, or religious connotations. Mmesoma’s actions ruffled feathers, transforming her from an internet sensation into a fallen figure. Her bubble burst when the state governor ordered an independent investigation to authenticate and unveil the authenticity of her results, which was ultimately revealed to be forged.

The phrase “the news is at your fingertips” rings true, as with a simple click, one can connect to the world. These young boys and girls avidly follow political developments in the country, witnessing accusations of embezzlement, corruption, bribery, and certificate forgery against our politicians. Certificate racketeering or forgery is a grave crime, with far-reaching consequences. Lives have been lost due to individuals impersonating doctors with fake certificates. Buildings have crumbled because of fraudulent engineers, and clients have lost legal battles when phony lawyers were unable to present their cases effectively before judges. The moral lesson here is clear: there are no shortcuts to success. It demands action, determination, resilience, hard work, and patience. In May 1999, Nigeria transitioned back to democracy from military rule, marking a pivotal moment in its history. However, the nation will always remember the certificate scandal of the late Salisu Buhari. May his soul rest in peace. He was elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. On Thursday, July 23rd, 1999, he faced Nigerians in disgrace and admitted to falsifying his age and forging his certificate. Salisu claimed to have graduated from the University of Toronto, but a thorough investigation uncovered the falsehood, ultimately spelling the end of his political career.

Years after the dust had settled and the resignation of SalisuBuhari, reports of certificate racketeering and forgery resurfaced. In a similar vein, President Ahmad Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, faced scrutiny regarding his educational credentials. Political opponents raised doubts about the authenticity of his certificate, prompting public speculation. It is imperative that we avoid interfering in the court process by prematurely assuming the roles of judge and jury. Only the court can determine whether President Tinubu was a graduate of Chicago State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1979. We must hope that his claim of attending the university is truthful, as any falsehood could tarnish Nigeria’s reputation on the international stage, serving as an example of how political officeholders manipulate their way to the top. A multitude of politicians, political officeholders, and civil servants have faced allegations of forging certificates to retain their positions and influence in the government through dishonest means.

The youth are observant, and they are learning from these unscrupulous politicians, political officeholders, senior civil servants, and elders who should serve as role models. The leaders of tomorrow, the future of the youth, confront an uncertain and undesirable situation because they are drawn to quick fixes for their problems. Elders, who should mentor and guide them, sometimes exert a negative influence. Some of our universities and polytechnics have unscrupulous staff members involved in certificate racketeering for personal gain. Several years ago, a political appointee spoke of establishing a national certificate verification portal, a promise that remains unfulfilled for reasons known best to them. Another instance of racketeering that warrants scrutiny involves Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the government. Several months ago, an ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives investigated the mismanagement of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) by various MDAs. Dr. Muheeba Farida Dankakah, the Chairwoman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), and her commissioners faced questioning regarding alleged job racketeering and mismanagement of the IPPIS.

Mrs. Dankakah vehemently denied the allegations of misconduct and even disclosed that job slots were being traded as commodities before her appointment. She described it as a marketplace, and encouraged doubters to verify her claims with residents of Abuja. These limited employment slots were being auctioned to the highest bidder, irrespective of qualifications or capabilities. Premium job positions, such as those within FIRS, CBN, and NNPC, were reportedly sold at exorbitant prices, ranging from 2 million to 8 million. Paramilitary slots, such as those in the Nigeria Immigration, Civil Defence, and Customs, are sold for prices ranging from N300,000 to N800,000. The prices depend on your bargaining power. How can we expect someone who has paid to secure a job to be just, incorruptible, and upright? That person will likely engage in dubious practices to recoup the loan obtained from banks and cooperatives. The remaining slots are typically acquired through politicians and well-connected captains of industry. If you don’t have connections in Nigeria, securing a government job may become an elusive dream. Meritorious applicants who possess the necessary skills and competencies for the job are often shortchanged. This illustrates how deeply entrenched corruption and nepotism are in Nigeria.

Ministries, Departments, and agencies of the Federal Government are alleged to be collecting illegal charges, which can be as high as 25 to 30 percent of the project cost.

Contractors pay kickbacks to secure contracts, while some are merely fronts for certain political classes and members of the ruling party. Foreign companies are also culpable; they pay kickbacks to Nigerian intermediaries who package the foreign companies. The resultant effect of paying kickbacks for contracts is shoddy work and the use of substandard materials for the projects. We sacrifice merit on the altar of meritocracy in this country.

Another prominent case involves the former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido. He was accused of abusing his office by awarding contracts to companies in which he had an interest, using his two sons as fronts. The former Director-General of the Nigeria Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman, attempted to salvage the agency, but it cost her her office. She stepped on the toes of powerful politicians and oligarchs. Hadiza, in order to exonerate and clear her name of any wrongdoing and misconduct during her reign at the NPA, wrote a memoir titled “Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at the Nigerian Ports Authority.” This memoir not only shares Hadiza’s side of the story but also serves as an exposé on corruption and power plays within the upper echelons of society.

The so-called elites used the mainstream media to tarnish and rubbish her reputation. This is an indication that if you want to fight corruption in Nigeria, corruption will fight back using the state’s instruments. That’s how entrenched nepotism and corruption are. The youth are watching.

The newly appointed Chairman of Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, known as EFCC, Mr. Olukayode, made a mind-boggling revelation of how N2.9 trillion, meant for government projects, was diverted into personal use by contractors between 2018 and 2020. He made this disclosure when he appeared before the Senate for screening.

According to Mr. Olukayode: “When I put the figures together, I discovered that if the country had prevented the money from being stolen, it would have given us 1,000 kilometers of road, built close to 200 standard tertiary institutions, and educated about 6,000 children from primary to tertiary level at N16 million per child. This disclosure highlights how deeply corruption has permeated the fabric of the nation.”

Teaching, a once noble profession, now languishes in deplorable conditions. Inadequate compensation, poor working conditions, and a lack of welfare have rendered it less appealing. Unpatriotic individuals pay to secure teaching positions, thereby depriving the most qualified individuals of opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Recent reports from a prominent Nigerian newspaper highlight a mass exodus of our brightest minds to Europe and America in pursuit of better opportunities.

In conclusion, the moral decadence among the youth and the deep-seated rot within our political system are intertwined issues that demand urgent attention. It is crucial to address these challenges to ensure that the leaders of tomorrow are guided toward honesty, integrity, and hard work rather than the shortcuts that have marred our present. As we reflect on the past transgressions of political figures and public officials, we must commit ourselves to upholding the values of truth and authenticity in our educational and political systems. Only through such actions can we provide a brighter and more ethical future for Nigeria.