Corruption: Catholic Priest Says Countries without EFCC, ICPC, Others Doing Better Than Nigeria
- Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, a Catholic cleric and former Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, has faulted Nigeria’s political leadership recruitment system
- The cleric argued that, despite the existence of multiple anti-corruption agencies, Nigeria lags behind countries without such institutions
- Ehusani and other speakers at an Abuja event called for adaptive leadership and stressed that corruption weakens institutions, deepens poverty, and erodes public trust
Abuja, FCT - Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, a prominent Catholic cleric, has criticised Nigeria’s political system, saying the country’s failure to produce credible leaders, rather than a lack of institutions, is fuelling corruption and national decline.
Rev. Fr. Ehusani, who is the former Secretary General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, said on Saturday, September 6, that many countries without specialised anti-corruption bodies outperform Nigeria in global corruption rankings.
Source: UGC
He argued that Nigeria’s proliferation of agencies, including the EFCC, ICPC and Code of Conduct Bureau, had not translated into stronger governance.
“Until we address this fundamental error in our perception of political leadership and recruitment process, I do not believe that any number of anti-corruption agencies and crusaders will transform our fortunes,” he told the audience in Abuja at the 23rd bi-annual leadership lecture of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development.
Ehusani blames elite for national decline
Ehusani said Nigeria is “sadly comatose and on the verge of disintegration” due to what he described as generations of corrupt, nepotistic and incompetent elites since independence.
He accused successive leaders of exploiting ethnic and religious divides, looting public resources and impoverishing citizens.
“The deadly combination of stupidity and political power in individuals has threatened the very foundation of nations and civilisations,” he said.
The cleric argued that values such as truth, honesty, justice and accountability are best instilled through leaders’ examples rather than training programmes.
“When people who lack common sense and values take control of power, their incompetence burns through society like a deadly virus,” he said.
Others call for adaptive leadership
Other speakers at the event echoed his concerns. Ms. Ojobo Odo-Atuluku, co-chair of the ceremony and Executive Chair of Benchmark Advantage, urged graduates of the Centre’s leadership school to practice “adaptive leadership” and confront corruption directly.
Dr. Otive Igbuzor, founding Executive Director of the Centre, said corruption had long been one of Nigeria’s greatest obstacles, weakening institutions and deepening poverty.
In his remarks, Executive Director Monday Osasah said the school had trained over 3,000 graduates since its inception, aimed at producing transformative leaders for Nigeria.
Source: Getty Images
“I’ll fight corruption, smugglers to ruin”: Tinubu vows
Meanwhile, Nigeria previously reported that President Bola Tinubu reiterated his administration’s efforts to tackle smuggling and corruption that have bedevilled the nation.
The president spoke at the commissioning of the Lagos Red Line Train, noting that there is no going back on his government's economic policies.
“I agree smugglers will fight back, corruption will fight back,” Tinubu said while addressing the menacing situation ubiquitous at the country’s borders.
Source: Legit.ng
