A
former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, on Saturday said it
was not possible for any Nigerian to be a billionaire without being corrupt.
former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, on Saturday said it
was not possible for any Nigerian to be a billionaire without being corrupt.
Akinyemi stated this in Akure, the Ondo State capital while
delivering the second term inauguration lecture of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
delivering the second term inauguration lecture of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The professor of International Relations and Diplomacy spoke on
the topic, ‘Leadership, Democracy, and Development.’
the topic, ‘Leadership, Democracy, and Development.’
He said at the event chaired by a former Nigerian High
Commissioner to United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, that “being a
billionaire in Nigeria today without corruption is impossible.”
Commissioner to United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, that “being a
billionaire in Nigeria today without corruption is impossible.”
Akinyemi said, “No one can be a billionaire in Nigeria today
without being corrupt. If you are a businessman, you would have evaded tax or
other levies like import duties with the active connivance of those in charge.
without being corrupt. If you are a businessman, you would have evaded tax or
other levies like import duties with the active connivance of those in charge.
“Your entire income as a political office holder, either elected
or appointed, cannot make you a billionaire without indulging in corrupt
practices. It is also not possible for you to work and retire as a civil
servant in whatever capacity and become a billionaire without being corrupt.
or appointed, cannot make you a billionaire without indulging in corrupt
practices. It is also not possible for you to work and retire as a civil
servant in whatever capacity and become a billionaire without being corrupt.
“I know I am stepping on sensitive toes but I can handle that.
Unless our leaders tackle the issue of corruption and offer selfless service to
the people, our democracy may not produce the desired development we are all
expecting.”
Unless our leaders tackle the issue of corruption and offer selfless service to
the people, our democracy may not produce the desired development we are all
expecting.”
Akinyemi lamented that Nigerians had sacrificed value systems on
the altar of greed, indiscipline, selfishness and insatiable craze for material
wealth acquisition.
the altar of greed, indiscipline, selfishness and insatiable craze for material
wealth acquisition.
He said, “There are no more values to hold on to. Parents not
only encourage their children to cheat in order to beat the system but also aid
and abet them in their nefarious activities. No one believes anymore in the
concept of society.
only encourage their children to cheat in order to beat the system but also aid
and abet them in their nefarious activities. No one believes anymore in the
concept of society.
“Nigerians have created their own God in their own image. In my
youth, to be accused of theft or any other criminal offence was tantamount to
being banished from the society while to be convicted was tantamount to
suicide.
youth, to be accused of theft or any other criminal offence was tantamount to
being banished from the society while to be convicted was tantamount to
suicide.
“However, today, no one asks for the source of wealth. People in
jail, accused of murder run for, and win elections.
jail, accused of murder run for, and win elections.
“More than a score of members of the Senate have EFCC court
cases hanging against them. Only in Nigeria do you steal billions and escape
with less than a million naira fine.”
cases hanging against them. Only in Nigeria do you steal billions and escape
with less than a million naira fine.”
Akinyemi noted that Nigeria problem, which invariably led to its
backwardness in all ramifications, started after the military coup which
displaced the first civilian generation of Nigerian leaders.
backwardness in all ramifications, started after the military coup which
displaced the first civilian generation of Nigerian leaders.
“Only three years after independence, whatever system existed
was shattered by the thoughtless overthrow of the western regional government
and from then on, politics of development was replaced by politics of looting,”
he stated.
was shattered by the thoughtless overthrow of the western regional government
and from then on, politics of development was replaced by politics of looting,”
he stated.
He also blamed the judiciary both at the bar and bench, for the
upsurge in corrupt practices in the country by granting frivoulous bails to
those indicted for corruption.
upsurge in corrupt practices in the country by granting frivoulous bails to
those indicted for corruption.
He suggested that for the country to move forward, “the
political elite must make a conscious effort to arrive at a consensus that will
be outcome of negotiation, give and take and compromises.”
political elite must make a conscious effort to arrive at a consensus that will
be outcome of negotiation, give and take and compromises.”
The occasion was attended by seasoned diplomats, senior
citizens, politicians, former governors, traditional rulers and religious
leaders from within and outside the country.
citizens, politicians, former governors, traditional rulers and religious
leaders from within and outside the country.
Source: Punch
