CRADLE CORRUPTION.

I have almost completed my university education and the things I have seen in my time in school make my heart heavy. What I have observed among my colleagues slowly feeds on my hope for the future generation and makes me appreciate the view of those who believe that the world can never get better.
As a Nigerian and an African , I know that the biggest problem facing the country and the continent is corruption at all levels. From the grass root to the very top of our society, corruption has eaten us up like a deadly cancer. It has spread it poison all over. In my school we have student unions and associations which all conduct elections to elect the officers for each academic year. For the past 3 years I have observed these electoral processes and I have grown more disheartened with each one. They simply mirror one a smaller scale , the corrupt system of Nigeria and most of Africa. Students backbite each other, start up false rumours about candidates in order to tarnish his or her good name. Most aspirants are only there for selfish reasons. They make promises that they never keep. Those who make it into office embezzle funds that students pay as dues. Tell me then the difference between this system of government and what goes on in the world at large . what strikes me as most unfortunate is the fact that these are the same people who will go out there , in the future, and run for various offices in government. They will get into office and most likely continue in their corruption and our situation as a country and continent will never change. If they mismanage little they will mismanage a lot.
I look around and I see my mates who are supposed to be the future of our nation , live life as though they have no moral conscience. They steal from their friends and family , cheat in exams and other areas of life and lie without batting an eyelid. In fact living a life without principle or restraint is the norm rather that the exception. Corrupt behaviour is hailed rather than condemned. Are these people the ones who will some turn around when they get into power and develop a sense of morality, principle and responsibility. If I can steal N1000 from my friend without remorse, cheat the food seller of her change and lie to my parents about my school fees, how difficult will it be for me to steal from a nation which has no ‘face’? No one started out stealing 12 billion. It started as small amounts which grew to bigger amounts and grew to even bigger amounts.
To carry yourself with dignity and a sense of responsibility is now a shame. How did things get so twisted ? How did our values become so mixed up? We learnt our ways from the previous generation. The examples our leaders and families set for us. We see those who are supposed to teach us the way say one thing and do another. All i have said paints a dismal picture . it looks like we are stuck in a continuous cycle where the cancer called corruption is passed on from one generation and right from the cradle our innocence is destroyed. However there is still hope. We can choose as individuals, communities and nations to say NO to the bad traits of our forefathers and consciously attune our minds and actions toward becoming a people of integrity. We can refuse to carry on in the legacy of corruption but with our generation establish a new legacy of honesty, truth and integrity. All it takes is one person to say no. There is wise saying which says : ‘better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness’ . Stop complaining and T.Y.P. In order to truly TAKE YOUR PLACE, you must change your story and not allow corruption be the legacy you leave behind for the next generation. I have chosen to take my place and say NO. What are you going to do?
Signed,
NessaD