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f you like, call this an alarming headline. If you like, string along with me, just a little bit more. You will see what the war is, who is about to fight who, and what the real grouse is between the warring parties. In any war there is usually something at stake for both parties and stakeholders. Nations and people go to war with one another not just for the fun of it, but because there is something to take from the other nation or people by force. In wars, there are usually winners and losers. In many cases the winner takes it all and the loser concedes defeat to the winner or gets crushed.
The fear and frenzy over who won the last most important election battle in the democratic journey of Nigeria seem to be one of the fiercest, we have ever witnessed, apart from the Biafra War. It was a war of abstraction which was between CHANGE and CONTINUITY. People lined up behind each of these two principal abstract gladiators and at the end of the day, CHANGE won that battle. Behind the masquerade of Change was GMB and GEJ for the CONTINUITY masquerade. That war, despite it's not being combatant, involving heavy weapons conventionally used in battles, it involve ideology, tact and money, and these were not mean weapons! The two parties used
these three weapons, which Nigeria and Nigerians are endowed with to the best of their abilities, capabilities and availabilities. In my own opinion, of the three weapons (ideology, tact and money), money was the loser! Ideology and tact with moderate amount of money won that battle for CHANGE. GMB will be remembered for using ideology and tact to defeat GEJ in the use of Naira and Dollars on the battlefield. In these days of enlightened Nigerian electorates, Democracy was placed on its well-deserved pedestal on the Nigerian political scene.
GMB is indeed a warrior who has fought the election battles three times before. He has become a winner the fourth time around. We salute his courage, resilience, seriousness of purpose and tenacity. We can all see that a quitter never wins and a winner never quits.
From the counts table, this election battle is the sixth of the battles GMB has fought. For the avoidance of doubt, I will endeavor to list the six previous battles as follows:
The Buhari-Idiagbon Coupe 1983 Won
The War Against Indiscipline (WAI) 1984 Won
The first attempt at Presidency in 2003 Lost
Second attempt at Presidency in 2007 Lost
Third attempt at Presidency in 2011 Lost
Fourth attempt at Presidency in 2015 Won
Out of all these battles, he has succeeded on fifty percent of them, which means that by the Nigeria standard and grading criterion, he has earned a pass mark. The seventh, which is the hidden subject of this article, is the looming war against corruption. Its importance cannot be over-emphasized. It is so significant in the face of the present economic situation in the world. War Against Corruption (WAC) is likely to be the most important war to be fought by any one in Nigeria, including GMB. This is going to be a war, which all of us in Nigeria will never forget. It is going to be the toughest and roughest mother of all battles because corruption has become endemic, of all our problems in Nigeria. The rich wants to get richer and keep the poor begging after looting the nation's treasury! Anywhere in the world, corruption battles are not the easiest to face. The 'corrupt' have been entrenched in the dirty, greedy and sleazy game for such a long time that whoever calls himself the Messiah, poised to flush out the menace will have his hands very full. My prayer is that sanity and truth will prevail and corruption will be wiped out in Nigeria. It will no longer be tolerated in the Nigerian environment any more.
GMB is only seventy two years old and he is about to commence on a four/eight year journey in governance. Because we are not God, let us leave the second term out of the equation and face his first four years in office as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the first phase. Another, in his series of battles, against corruption is looming, about to begin and it MUST be won by the grace of God. There is no doubt that his integrity and credentials speak for him. He has done it before and he will do it again. He will win the new War (WAC), seventh in the series of GMB's wars.
Seven (7) is regarded as a number of great symbolic, historical and cross-cultural significance. Seven is a complete number by itself. Those of you in the field of numerology will agree with me that seven, which happens to be my favorite number, is a significant number. Occultism aside, a careful study of figure seven in the Bible reveals its spiritual importance. The Holy Quran also places the number seven in a pride of place among all numbers from zero to nine.
The next battle for the seventy two year old President, is his seventh and perhaps, the last major war he will fight in his lifetime. There are many reasons for this assertion. First, War Against Corruption is an on-going and never ending war. Second, Corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian society. Third, Corruption is a global phenomenon and Nigeria is a member of the global village. Fourth, Corruption is part of our culture as verifiable in the typical behavioral patterns of Nigerians - favoritism, greed, nepotism, partiality, preferential treatments, impatience, ostentation, flamboyance, etc.
From the foregoing, we can see that Buhari's seventh war - War Against Corruption, will need the tact and wisdom, which only God can give. I am convinced that he (GMB) can also win the seventh battle for Nigeria to serve as his battle of completion. This is the strong reason for the crafting of the alarming title for the article. We all need to get psyched up and be ready to join the battle to save Nigeria from corruption.
Buhari's last election success of CHANGE is about to lead us in Nigeria to a more fierce War Against Corruption (WAC). This had been an outstanding war which had passed from one administration to another, without being properly addressed or tackled head-on. No nation can survive with the level of corruption and impunity going on in Nigeria. It would have been just a matter of time for our nation to collapse and fragment to be remembered only as History. Glory be to God and all the men of God and the Clerics who did not relent in their prayers, along with other patriotic Nigerians (behind the scene) who contributed in keeping Nigeria intact. We are thankful and proud of all of you.
About thirty one years ago the then Head of State, (now President-Elect) General Buhari and Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon led us to war in Nigeria. That was BUHARI-IDIAGBON: WAR AGAINST INDISCIPLINE (WAI). During their twenty months in power (December 31st, 1983 - August 27th 1985), Nigeria went to war, not with another nation, but with herself, over the charting of a new course for the nation that was grossly undisciplined. It was a cleansing war, designed to instill some sanity into the society. The five notable phases of that war were:
Phase One - Queueing, March 20th, 1984
Phase Two - Work Ethics, May 1st 1984
Phase Three - Nationalism & Patriotism, August 21st, 1984
Phase Four - Anti-Corruption & Economic Sabotage, May 14th, 1985
Phase Five - Environmental Sanitation, July 29th, 1985
At least two aspects of that war have remained with us and become part of our culture as Nigerians to date. The queueing culture and the environmental sanitation habits are parts of the remnants of WAI which have remained of immense benefit to us as a nation.
Today we are witnessing the results of that war, as evidenced by the way people queued in different cities and villages to vote during the 2015 Elections. The second of the WAI campaign leftover, is that throughout Nigeria, there are different days set aside by States for Environmental Sanitation, in addition to the nationwide sanitation day. While the war against indiscipline has become moribund, the spillover effects on the citizenry of Nigeria have remained parts of our culture.
The War between CHANGE and CONTINUITY has been won by CHANGE which now is preparing for yet a more dastardly battle to be tagged
BUHARI-OSINBAJO: WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION (WAC)
Strategies for this new WAC are going to be different, understandably, because this is a civilian era and the military approach used in prosecuting the WAI, of the Buhari-Idiagbon regime, will not be applicable. It remains for us to see what, how and when the WAC battle will emerge. The battle line has been drawn and we await the pull of the first trigger!
The new Buhari-Osinbajo anti-corruption campaign (war) must be dynamic and pragmatic in nature. It cannot be business as usual, doing the same old thing. It must have some educational components in the form of mottos, aka, and words which will adequately represent the vision and mission of the war. Such words, phrases and sentences must be capable of convicting the likely offenders in such a way as to deter them. This may also take the form of captions, inscriptions, slogans, and jingles such as:
SAY NO, TO CORRUPTIONor
NIGERIA HAS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CORRUPTION
The heat is on and we must wipe out corruption in the Nigerian society in our lifetime. It is dangerous to leave our children and grandchildren in this mess called CORRUPTION. It is indeed killing our dear nation Nigeria and it must stop. Who is that man or woman in Nigeria who can beat his/her chest in the open that he/she is corrupt? Absolutely no one, especially in his/her right senses! This is my conviction that it can be contained and controlled like other African country such as Botswana. Corruption can be stopped and it will be stopped through our collective efforts and determination from TODAY! Stoppage starts from you and me.
Change must start with you and me, even from the time you finish reading this article. Corruption should have no place in our offices, workplaces, homes, worship places and our communities. Let us chase it away, NOW!
The fore going educational approach and possible way forward in the vicious attack on corruption in the Nigerian society, will need to be packaged and translated into all the Nigerian Languages/Dialects and displayed in public places. The Corruption campaign is a serious one which must be fought aggressively to show that Nigeria has indeed arrived! The move is on and there is no stopping. We cannot set out on this journey without procuring the weapons for the battle.
It is a given, that the resources for the corruption battle must be adequate and of cutting-edge quality. The human resources, material resources and technologies for the prosecution of WAC need to be adequate and appropriate for the task ahead.
Most importantly, the education of the populace must be taken with utmost seriousness. People must be educated from the scratch on the meaning, scope and other aspects of corruption which had hitherto been taken for granted or accepted as the Nigerian NORM! It is in the light of these that the materials below are being proposed as possible resources for the anti-corruption campaign and education.
Definition of Corruption
Any behavior that can be attributed to seeking gratification for services rendered in the course of performing services and duties for which legal compensations (salaries/stipend) may be expected.
Bribery Dishonesty Exploitation Fraud Scandal
Sleaze Venality Skullduggery Trickery Vice Chicanery Stealing Mischief Malpractice
Cheating And much more????
Scope of Corruption
The scope of corruption may range from place to place and from one circumstance to another. When a person in authority or on assignment, demands gratification of some sort from another person, client or organization, it is CORRUPTION. Exchange may range from being in cash - one Kobo to millions of Naira/Dollars, to its being in kind or materials or other inappropriate and unprintable types of gratifications. Corruption as a practice, is prevalent in many workplaces especially in Nigeria. These behaviors, which are prevalent in many environments need to STOP. Places where corruption has been known to manifest include:
Offices Workplaces Banks Public
Schools Colleges Parks Social Settings
Worship Places and many other environments.
Corruption is Ubiquitous. It is anywhere, any place and in sundry circumstances!
NIGERIA CAN NO LONGER TAKE IT, LET'S END CORRUPTION NOW
The ways to chase CORRUPTION out of Nigeria include:
- Stop taking BRIBES
- Stop asking for BRIBES
- Stop giving BRIBES
- Render services without seeking illegal rewards
- Gratification for services is CORRUPTION in course of duty
- Shout CHANGE when you see CORRUPTION in action
Remember GOD is our REWARD and He will reward all of us from His riches in glory. What we will eat, should not be allowed to eat us, and what we will use, should also not be allowed to consume us through corruption and greed. We always need to balance our choices and decisions with their corresponding consequences. Let us learn to Say NO to Corruption as Nigerians. May God help us and wash us clean.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF CORRUPTION ARE GRAVE!
The consequences of corruption are very serious and unsavory. When one is jailed, some dignity will be lost and it brings unfathomable embarrassment to friends and loved ones. All ill-gotten assets may be forfeited and it may lead to bankruptcy. Your sense of worth will be lost. Your ego will be dented, if and when you are caught. How would anyone like to have his/her children, grandchildren, relatives and friends suffer from your inordinate ambition to live above your means through CORRUPTION? Do not allow your greed to destroy you, desist! Let us spread the news and join in ridding Nigeria of Corruption. It is our collective duty and responsibility.
CORRUPTION CAN BRING SHAME AND DISGRACE TO:
Self, Family, Children, Friends Tribe, Church, Mosque, Clubs, Party, Society, Home
Most importantly, to our nation NIGERIA
LET'S ALL RUN AWAY FROM CORRUPTION
Corruption is a plague!
Corruption is like AIDS - Don't give it! Don't catch it!
A CORRUPTION-FREE SOCIETY IS PEACEFUL & PROGRESSIVE
Nigeria Minus Corruption Equals CHANGE Plus Peace
(Nigeria - Corruption = Change Plus Peace) or Ni - Co = Ch+ Pe
CORRUPTION SLOGANS AND JINGLES
This war cannot be fought without renting the air with slogans and jingles of all sorts and in many languages and dialects. These slogans and jingles must be on Radio, Television, Bill Boards, and Posters as well as in Offices, Homes and Public Places. The Nigerian environments need to be saturated with these, so as to appeal to peoples' consciousness and make them think twice before getting involved in the despicable behavior called CORRUPTION.
Examples of Corruption slogans and jingles may include the following:
Anti-Corruption Campaign starts with me HERE and NOW.
Don't Give Bribes and Don't Take Bribes
CORRUPTION IS CRIMINAL. Desist!
Illegal REWARD is Corruption
Nigeria expects everyone to do his/her job diligently.
DILIGENCE is a VIRTUE
Contract INFLATION is corruption
KICK-BACK IS A CRIME
CHEATING leaves a bad IMAGE
CHEATING is bad. Stop it!
DISHONESTY is criminal
DISHONESTY is not DIGNIFYING
TIPS are different from CORRUPTION
Discrete GRATIFICATION is CORRUPTION
CHANGE is here! Corruption is dead.
CHANGE IS REAL!
Corruption will have no REST in Hell!
TO HELL WITH CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA
Be WARNED somebody is WATCHING you!
If you SEE something, SAY something!
STEALING IS CRIMINAL, DESIST!
RESIST BEING CORRUPTED
Just for the academic exercise of it, can anyone estimate how many times in a day, the word CORRUPTION occurs in our newspapers, radio and television broadcasts, in public discourses and discussions or in individual utterances in Nigeria? I have the belief that it must be in the millions! Not one of these mentions, however, accepts corruption as good, desirable or acceptable. It is therefore incumbent upon us, as Nigerians, to bid farewell to Corruption in our society. Let us all, as Nigerians, try to become good ambassadors of this great country, everywhere we go . We must maintain our dignity always and remember that there is no second chance to give the first impression. A good name is always better than gold. Our dear country - Nigeria deserves a new name as she tries to enter into the new era of CHANGE. My earnest prayer is that the change will be, for good and be permanent. Arise o compatriots! Bid farewell to corruption.
Professor Adekunle Akinyemi, President/CEO, Ceezek Foundation Inc. in Pikesville, Maryland, USA, and former Director of the Institute of Education, University of Ilorin, and Former Director, Centre for Educational Technology, University of Botswana, Southern Africa. Email - akinyemia7@gmail.com.