A former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, on Saturday said it was not possible for any Nigerian to be a billionaire without being corrupt.
Akinyemi stated this in Akure, the Ondo State capital while delivering the second term inauguration lecture of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The professor of International Relations and Diplomacy spoke on the topic, ‘Leadership, Democracy, and Development.’
He said at the event chaired by a former Nigerian High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, that “being a billionaire in Nigeria today without corruption is impossible.”
Akinyemi said, “No one can be a billionaire in Nigeria today without being corrupt. If you are a businessman, you would have evaded tax or other levies like import duties with the active connivance of those in charge.
“Your entire income as a political office holder, either elected or appointed, cannot make you a billionaire without indulging in corrupt practices. It is also not possible for you to work and retire as a civil servant in whatever capacity and become a billionaire without being corrupt.
“I know I am stepping on sensitive toes but I can handle that. Unless our leaders tackle the issue of corruption and offer selfless service to the people, our democracy may not produce the desired development we are all expecting.”
Akinyemi lamented that Nigerians had sacrificed value systems on the altar of greed, indiscipline, selfishness and insatiable craze for material wealth acquisition.
He said, “There are no more values to hold on to. Parents not only encourage their children to cheat in order to beat the system but also aid and abet them in their nefarious activities. No one believes anymore in the concept of society.
“Nigerians have created their own God in their own image. In my youth, to be accused of theft or any other criminal offence was tantamount to being banished from the society while to be convicted was tantamount to suicide.
“However, today, no one asks for the source of wealth. People in jail, accused of murder run for, and win elections.
“More than a score of members of the Senate have EFCC court cases hanging against them. Only in Nigeria do you steal billions and escape with less than a million naira fine.”
Akinyemi noted that Nigeria problem, which invariably led to its backwardness in all ramifications, started after the military coup which displaced the first civilian generation of Nigerian leaders.
“Only three years after independence, whatever system existed was shattered by the thoughtless overthrow of the western regional government and from then on, politics of development was replaced by politics of looting,” he stated.
He also blamed the judiciary both at the bar and bench, for the upsurge in corrupt practices in the country by granting frivoulous bails to those indicted for corruption.
He suggested that for the country to move forward, “the political elite must make a conscious effort to arrive at a consensus that will be outcome of negotiation, give and take and compromises.”
The occasion was attended by seasoned diplomats, senior citizens, politicians, former governors, traditional rulers and religious leaders from within and outside the country.
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GOD CAN MAKE YOU A BILLIONARE. You must Not be corrupt. So you Are advising the youths to put their hands into dirty things and Not to work hard. Thats too bad
ReplyDeleteAre u sure u can read? If u can read, are u sure u are capable of understanding what u have read? I ask because I'm in serious doubt that u can & I doubt that u understand how God works. Read thru d article again & while u are on it, b informed that God is not a magician that wud transform someone on salary as a public servant into a billionaire overnight.
DeleteTrue talk,our problem is our value system we worship and respect people who are rich.until we value people with moral and principle corruption we still thrive.
ReplyDeleteThis is true heart of God's talk for people whose truth is always bitter to their hearing will not accept this.
ReplyDeleteWE should all reflect seriously on what are respected Professor is conveying to Nigerians. i strongly believe that no Nigerian can claim to be a billionaire without the influence of direct or indirect corruption! A thorough review of the so called billionaire will reveal that most of them, if not all, have strong connections with either the government or affiliation with political parties. Another unique area to be investigated is the SECRET SOCIETY.As a matter of fact, the so called secret and open societies have ruined the reputation of Nigeria. They have strong connections with politics, religious bodies, finance institutions, tertiary institutions and what have you. Consideeration for the high level of poverty is a phenomenon to be seriously tackled by both the federal, state and local governments. It is not a curse but a reality that a corrupt nation will never progress and this is why the federal government should face the issue of corruption with all powers that are available. Fortunately, we still have but veery few nigerians who are out to wage serous war against corruption and backwardness. Nigerians in diaspora should stand strongly against corruption by educating their friends, loved ones to stand against corrupt practices. In passing, God is very much alive to help Nigeria by bailing it from these evil men and women. God will dislodge them and their power over the poor. It is certain, sooner or later, Nigeria will be free from the den of devil and its agent.
ReplyDelete