A group, the University of Nigeria Nsukka Muslim Community, has urged Nigerians of all walks of life to shun corruption and halt any attempt by anyone to perpetuate it in the country.
This was as the group noted that the country was sinking because of the scourge, adding that it was high time the citizenry rose up to stop it or risk being consumed by it.
The Vice President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affiars, Ebonyi State/South-East Zone, Dr. Haroun Ajah, stated this during the group’s one-day community parley, tagged, ‘Promoting accountability and anti-corruption through behaviourial change approaches’, in Abakaliki, on Sunday.
Speaking at the programme which had in attendance Muslims leaders and students; Christians; women; youths; and the traditional rulers, among others, the Islamic scholar observed that Nigeria was at the verge of extinction if nothing was done by the citizens to save it from the grip of corruption.
While noting that corruption had eaten deep into the fabric of the nation, he explained that it was everybody’s responsibility to stop its spread.
He said, “What is staring us in the face and that we are fighting is the issue of corruption. Oftentimes, we think that corruption is 100 miles away from us, that we do not know what it’s, not knowing that it’s right with us. Corruption is in our midst and it’s circulating within and around us. And this is why those of us here today, should endeavour to take this message to others, who are not here.
“Something should prick us as we continue in this discussion today. The organisers of this programme said Nigeria is known as a country of many prayers, but our prayers are not answered. But I must say if our prayers were not answered by God, we would have sunk down, because it’s the mercies and grace of God that have held this country. This is because we have backgrounds of communities which have enmeshed themselves in this evil we are talking about and God never allowed them to exist till this time. All we need to do is to pray and work hard so that we will continue to overcome this evil in our land.
“Corruption is deviation from the right thing or otherwise injustice-doing things outside the normalcy. Corruption is dishonesty and betrayal of trust. If a child is under you and you starve him and beat him up, that’s corruption. It’s not just when someone steals money, once you become dishonest and betray trust then you are corrupt.
“Corruption stems from us. It emanates from us and this is why we are hammering on collective action and individual responsibility. And the Quran puts correctly, “Corruption has spread on the sea, on the land and it’s what we have caused with our hands and Almighty God still forgives most of us. That’s why we say our prayers still work, because God’s mercy is still with us.
“We have been warned by God not to be corrupt. The question is: are we taking the heed? Let’s take heed to God’s instructions. Let’s be careful not to disobey the commandments of God, so that trials, temptation, punishments, even civil war can’t happen because of what we have caused by ourselves.
“We should be afraid of trials, temptation, rebellion and oppression that will not cause harm and calamity to us alone, but are capable of making it spread. English men will tell you when a finger touches an oil, it spreads to the other fingers. We have allowed many people a few people engage in corruption and the whole thing is spreading among, within and beyond our communities. We should try and stop this spread by preaching the negative side of corruption.
“There is a World Bank revelation on Nigeria and it’s says the country faces existential threat, because of the way its resources are handled. Let’s be warned and do away with this evil in our midst.”
Earlier in his address, the Director of the group, Dr. M.A. Saddiq, said the programme was in partnership with the Centre for Democratic Studies (Manbaya House), Bayero University, Kano, adding it was geared towards senstising the people on the anti-corruption drive of the community.
Represented by a member of the Community, Alh. Abdullahi Chuks-Anyachonkenya, Saddiq explained, “We are here to sensitise the people on the anti-corruption drive of the Community and to call on them to join the crusade against corruption in our society. This is in partnership of the Centre for Democratic Studies (Manbaya House) Bayero University Kano.
“It’s our belief that if we let people know about the effects of corruption in our midst as citizens, they will in turn take up the challenge and responsibility of spread the news of the scourge in our society. This is why we are here today. Everyone should own a responsibility in this fight and call a spade, a spade; call evil, evil.
“This is why it’s an inter-faith programme or movement irrespective of faith, tribe or gender. Everybody is welcome on board to spread this message of anti-corruption, so as to make our society a better for us and our unborn children.
“The Muslims are here. The Christians are here and even the traditional institution is represented here. Corruption does not know religion, it does not know tribe and it does not know age. This is why all and sundry must rise up and stop it.”
A participant in the programme, Adeyemo Nurudeen, said, “The issue of corruption has been with us without us knowing when it got to be with us. This is why the programme is of importance to us, because it is geared towards opening our eyes to ways of reducing this corruption or even eradicating it in our society.”
