It has been observed that decades of unchecked corruption in Nigeria’s public institutions and a history of inept leadership have destroyed public faith in governance and created a sense of fatalism.
The Executive Director Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCH) Comrade Idris Miliki made this known on Wednesday in Lokoja during a One Day Review Meeting for Media and CSOs on Anti-Corruption, Transparency and Accountability in Elections in partnership with Shehu Musa Yar’adua Foundation.
He noted that citizens are unlikely to be motivated to combat corruption because experience suggests that nothing will change.
Miliki also stressed that the fight against corruption can be won. New approaches must be adopted to create social incentives for collection action against corruption.
He said leaders must inspire faith in Anti-Corruption efforts by implementing tangible reforms in public institutions.
“Civil society and community leaders must develop and promote a national social contract that rewards accountability and enforces social sanctions for unacceptable behaviours.
“Traditional approaches to anti-corruption messaging in Nigeria have been characterized by sensational reporting of corruption cases involving huge amounts of money or the use of extreme language to eliminate undesirable behaviour,’ he said.
The executive director also added that an effective to also tackle corruption was to teach children to recognise it, reject it and condemn those who tolerate it.
He opined that school curriculums must incorporate ethics and civil education in the curriculum.
Miliki added that parents, teachers and school administrators must recognise their responsibility to shape the values of the next generation by exhibiting high standards of integrity, honesty and transparency in their actions.
