Pat Utomi, a political economist, has lamented the pervasive tradition of corruption in Nigeria, urging residents to take a agency stand in opposition to bribery and unethical practices.
In his newest Tuesday Tonic discourse, Utomi highlighted the deep-seated corruption crippling the nation, referencing a latest lecture by Sam Obla, which detailed surprising ranges of economic misconduct in authorities.
In accordance with Utomi, the revelations from Obla’s investigations paint an image of Nigeria’s management, suggesting that these in energy function with out regard for nationwide welfare.
“You actually will suppose these individuals come from a psychological asylum. They’re not human. How can people need to try this to their nation?” he remarked.
Utomi linked corruption to the nation’s excessive poverty fee, insecurity, and violence, emphasising that these challenges persist as a result of corruption has been normalized.
He cited historic figures equivalent to Michael Okpara, the late premier of Jap Nigeria, and Festus Remi Marino, the primary group managing director of the Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Company (NNPC), as examples of leaders who upheld integrity in public service.
Learn additionally: Nigeria ranks one hundred and fortieth out of 180 nations within the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index.
Recalling his time on the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Business, Utomi expressed dismay that solely three out of almost 60 enterprise leaders, together with himself, Christopher Kolade, and Engineer Xavier Kukoyi, have been keen to publicly decide to rejecting bribery.
“The shock that almost all of enterprise was not keen to do it tells a narrative,” he mentioned.
Calling for private accountability in tackling corruption, Utomi urged Nigerians to undertake a easy however impactful decision: “I cannot give and I cannot take a bribe.”
He maintained that particular person commitments to integrity would function a vital start line in addressing the systemic corruption that undermines Nigeria’s progress.
