Against this backdrop, the recurring buzzword within government circles is “ghosts workers”, which they have been battling for decades. And the wonder! How can ghosts be workers or workers ghosts? Sadly, the notorious fact is because the battle is half-hearted and the leaders lack political will to get to the root of the malady; the payroll fraud, which includes ghost contractors, ghost projects and so on, continues to thrive in monstrous dimensions, becoming, in effect the drain pipe that empties billions of naira of state and federal government finances in Nigeria.
There is nothing that reduced this country to its present wobbly and pitiable condition other than simple word: greed - nothing but self aggrandisement. Granted people read about ghosts in story books, it is wonderful we have them in real life in Nigeria earning salaries without being caught. A land of stranger-than-fiction where corruption is reputed to strike back when confronted and funny enough without mass vociferation even as their economic life worsens. A very sad aspect of this casual attitude of mass docility is the fact that many highly-placed and influential Nigerians who have the exceptional privilege to say a word of truth against the evils in the society usually take cover under mute indifference and cold complicity.
However, there is something perverse for such resounding quietude is the notorious fact that Nigerians like to remain unconcerned so long it is not their finger in the fire. And, the refrain is always something like: “This is Nigeria where nothing works!
While religious intolerance, ethnicity, the “settler and indigene” factor remain the bane of unity, the “state of origin of every citizen” palaver compounded this anomaly through cheating and hatred but is still perceived an important ticket,for getting anything. On the other hand, the Quota or National Character policy and allied vices nurtured a society where intellect and scholarship are spurned. In other words, over time values changed from society that shuns mediocrity to one that fuels mediocrity and humiliates and ridicules excellence.
By having almost fully, refused to move with intellectual tide, the twin evils have been working against motivation for real education or serious intellectual endeavour. In tandem with these primary progenitors of anti- intellectualism is societal contempt for knowledge, making us embrace ignorance as a virtue. So, like a plague, the entire political ethos got afflicted with this malaise such that the more knowledgeable one is or try to use that knowledge, the lesser are his or her chances of survival. Hardly would anyone, therefore, succeed except if such a person is ready to put aside ethical conduct or correct things he or she knows and plays along by absolute loyalty to whoever calls the shots. Furthermore, it has often been stated that where corruption reigns supreme, it is folly to be virtuous.
Instructively, where brilliant minds or icons of virtue are relegated to the background whereas entertainment idols most of who are straying away from societal norms are feted, great and profound thoughts cannot thrive. In effect, it brew the ignoramuses that have pervaded our socio-economic and political landscape. Yet, the nation’s challenges and opportunities are tied to one crucial word, education. Simply because there is strong relationship between education and economic prosperity, it is the level of awareness of a people, their entrepreneurship and cerebral sophistication that determines the kind of society they build.
In the past, education is all you need to jilt poverty and so Nigerians set out to attack rigorously and ferociously the foundation of poverty by embracing education. But today, education like bastardized nation’s currency - the naira, has lost its purchasing power and parity value as its share of the nation’s astonishing decline in critical indices of development.
Another sad reality is the plight of retirees and their pathetic circumstances. After serving their fatherland with all their ‘useful life’, there are extreme instances where pensions or severance benefits become difficult to resolve. Paradoxically, those at the upper crest of political firmament legislate scandalous pension and severance payments along with other outrageous allowances to themselves after a mere eight, four or less years in office! Borne upon a philosophy of sadism, the ill-will is not assuaged either by the disabling scars inflicted on the helpless workers, or the angst and anomie that define our national temper.
Historically speaking, there is now a resolve to rescue the nation from thieving claws of evil forces in the land. And, because corruption is at the heart of these philosophical problems, this bold step could herald an era of a national re-orientation, in which integrity, honesty, service and excellence are rated high on the societal value chart.
However, insensitivity, injustice or cheating and their ilk should be addressed holistically because peace is the fruit of justice. Afterall, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and every act of injustice is a seed for violence.
Okocha, a Lagos-based independent consultant, wrote via sookocha@ yahoo.com and can be reached on 08068338861
There is nothing that reduced this country to its present wobbly and pitiable condition other than simple word: greed - nothing but self aggrandisement. Granted people read about ghosts in story books, it is wonderful we have them in real life in Nigeria earning salaries without being caught. A land of stranger-than-fiction where corruption is reputed to strike back when confronted and funny enough without mass vociferation even as their economic life worsens. A very sad aspect of this casual attitude of mass docility is the fact that many highly-placed and influential Nigerians who have the exceptional privilege to say a word of truth against the evils in the society usually take cover under mute indifference and cold complicity.
However, there is something perverse for such resounding quietude is the notorious fact that Nigerians like to remain unconcerned so long it is not their finger in the fire. And, the refrain is always something like: “This is Nigeria where nothing works!
While religious intolerance, ethnicity, the “settler and indigene” factor remain the bane of unity, the “state of origin of every citizen” palaver compounded this anomaly through cheating and hatred but is still perceived an important ticket,for getting anything. On the other hand, the Quota or National Character policy and allied vices nurtured a society where intellect and scholarship are spurned. In other words, over time values changed from society that shuns mediocrity to one that fuels mediocrity and humiliates and ridicules excellence.
By having almost fully, refused to move with intellectual tide, the twin evils have been working against motivation for real education or serious intellectual endeavour. In tandem with these primary progenitors of anti- intellectualism is societal contempt for knowledge, making us embrace ignorance as a virtue. So, like a plague, the entire political ethos got afflicted with this malaise such that the more knowledgeable one is or try to use that knowledge, the lesser are his or her chances of survival. Hardly would anyone, therefore, succeed except if such a person is ready to put aside ethical conduct or correct things he or she knows and plays along by absolute loyalty to whoever calls the shots. Furthermore, it has often been stated that where corruption reigns supreme, it is folly to be virtuous.
Instructively, where brilliant minds or icons of virtue are relegated to the background whereas entertainment idols most of who are straying away from societal norms are feted, great and profound thoughts cannot thrive. In effect, it brew the ignoramuses that have pervaded our socio-economic and political landscape. Yet, the nation’s challenges and opportunities are tied to one crucial word, education. Simply because there is strong relationship between education and economic prosperity, it is the level of awareness of a people, their entrepreneurship and cerebral sophistication that determines the kind of society they build.
In the past, education is all you need to jilt poverty and so Nigerians set out to attack rigorously and ferociously the foundation of poverty by embracing education. But today, education like bastardized nation’s currency - the naira, has lost its purchasing power and parity value as its share of the nation’s astonishing decline in critical indices of development.
Another sad reality is the plight of retirees and their pathetic circumstances. After serving their fatherland with all their ‘useful life’, there are extreme instances where pensions or severance benefits become difficult to resolve. Paradoxically, those at the upper crest of political firmament legislate scandalous pension and severance payments along with other outrageous allowances to themselves after a mere eight, four or less years in office! Borne upon a philosophy of sadism, the ill-will is not assuaged either by the disabling scars inflicted on the helpless workers, or the angst and anomie that define our national temper.
Historically speaking, there is now a resolve to rescue the nation from thieving claws of evil forces in the land. And, because corruption is at the heart of these philosophical problems, this bold step could herald an era of a national re-orientation, in which integrity, honesty, service and excellence are rated high on the societal value chart.
However, insensitivity, injustice or cheating and their ilk should be addressed holistically because peace is the fruit of justice. Afterall, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and every act of injustice is a seed for violence.
Okocha, a Lagos-based independent consultant, wrote via sookocha@ yahoo.com and can be reached on 08068338861
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