Anti-corruption in Nigeria: tackling from the roots.

        This corruption that is on everyone's lips seems so enormous to not to be handled. It is the biggest challenge in Nigeria. It  has eaten deep into the marrow from the mechanics and artisans who repair our cars to the lawmakers  who seem to be locked in the system are corrupt. Even the youths now sell their morality for money;this is to show that corruption is encroaching into the future. Corruption is a dishonest and fraudulent conduct. It is not only the huge amount of money being stolen but also the dishonest mechanic who doesn't tell the truth because he wants to collect more money is equally corrupt. In a society where the moral values have collapsed then, a problem needs to be fixed. This present government has given us hope of tackling corruption tooth and nail but I believe it is a call to duty for all. The society should begin to tackle this menace from it self by ensuring that moral values are restored back to the society. From the likes of artisans, salesmen, mechanics to the secretary in an office, honesty and truthfulness should be found. There is the  need to teach and sensitize the children in schools on corruption. A teacher who sells handouts and collects tips from parents is also corrupt also a child who uses his school fees to pay for marks is as corrupt as a judge who collects bribe and perverts justice. We all need to change. Corruption has done more havoc than we can imagine. Schools should mark the day Anti-corruption day and in that day the students/pupils should be enlightened on the dangers of corruption. Also organizations should organize campaigns and initiatives to sensitize people on corruption.  We need to act fast in other to save the future.
    The anti-graft agencies and law enforcement agencies should be given autonomy to perform,  there is the need for  sanitization of these agencies themselves as truthfulness and honesty has lost its taste. In 2014,the transparency international conducted a survey and Nigeria ranked 136 out of 174 surveyed countries. This simply implies that there is no transparency in the government. The government needs to ensure transparency of their activities and there is need to ensure honesty and patriotism  in the society.  The change we desire would have to start from the roots because that's where the tree grows from.

Adebiyi Oluwatemilorun
Isolo, Lagos state