That corruption has become the order of the day in Nigeria is no longer contestable.  It comes in different forms including abuse
of public office, for personal gain or other illegal or immoral benefits.  Political corruption which is on the rise is
a recognised criminal offence, along with bribery, extortion and embezzlement
of public funds.

In a democratic society like ours the
public’s tolerance, or more significantly intolerance of corruption determines
the success of any anti corruption campaign.

In established democracies, elected
officials react to the public’s intolerance of corruption by initiating
investigation and or enacting legislations that result in reforms.
Consequently, we hope, the continued public debate on corruption will result in
the public becoming less tolerant of corrupt practices.

The prevalence of corruption is such
that politicians and senior government bureaucrats are expected to initiate
detection methods that could nip the malaise in the bud or punish offende’s as
a way of demonstrating political will and gaining public confidence in the
government’s anti-corruption efforts. Detection activities are also critical at
the bureaucratic level in demonstrating management’s intolerance for
corruption. However, detection methods alone will never be sufficient to
effectively manage corruption.

On a national level, a corruption
prevention strategy should focus on enhancing the public awareness of the
social economic and political costs associated with corruption. Politicians and
senior government officials should be taught that the purpose of government is
to serve society and not to exploit it. These educational efforts should
heighten the public’s intolerance of many corrupt practices that are
erroneously viewed as acceptable.

Besides, this public education should
possibly be carried out in partnership with social organisations that would
focus on educating the younger generation on the evils of corruption as well as
acceptable and non-acceptable standards of public behaviour.

To prevent corruption, bureaucracies and
the civil service should do everything possible to recruit individuals of high
moral character and to do everything possible to ensure that the honest
employees received commensurate reward.

The same conditions should be applied to
political candidates for all elective positions. Since prior conduct is the
best predictor of future behaviour, a comprehensive background investigation
process would help ensure that employees or potential political candidates are
of good moral character. Establishing and enforcing strict codes of conduct and
instituting integrity related training programmes including enhancing critical
thinking and situational planning are also necessary to prevent corruption.

In addition, government systems and
processes should be modernised and streamlined to minimise habitual bad
behaviour. The various governments should establish and consistently apply
penalties that reflect the consequences of violating the laid down codes of
conduct.

Supervisors and the management of
government agencies should also be held responsible and accountable for any
misconduct by their employees. There is no reason, for example, why all the
states and local governments in the country should not have their own independent
anti-corruption agencies which will work very closely with the national
agencies like the EFCC, ICPC and the Code of Conduct Bureau.

In all sincerity, Nigeria, since the
democratic dispensation began in 1999, has made noticeable progress in its
ongoing anti-corruption campaign. Although many Nigerians believe the
anti-corruption campaign under President Jonathan has floundered, what with the
ongoing expositions, double speaks, subterfuges and volt face in the country,
it does not look like the administration would be anything different from that
of Obasanjo or even previous military governments. Infact, it seems to be
getting worse and this seems to be buttressed by the fact that many indicted,
accused former governors, ministers and party officials are still walking
around freely today, enjoying their loot. Infact  several of them are alleged to be the real
power behind this administration of the so called servant leader. Some of them
have even found their way back into the government openly and against public
opinion. Several of them including serving governors are known!

The government should consider how best
to maintain and refine the country’s corruption detection activities while also
developing and implementing corruption prevention strategies essential to
effectively manage corruption throughout Nigeria. This is the only alternative
if government keeps on saying it wants to eradicate corruption in Nigerian
society; it is not being sincere with us. Corruption can never be eradicated in
any society. It can only be managed, and managed effectively and efficiently to
derive any success.

Ihuaenyi is of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori