Bribery and corruption : bane of our society
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Title
Bribery and corruption : bane of our society
Subject
Nigerian literature (English)
Description
This serious political tract catalogues and analyzes many types of bribery and corruption. The author states that he has compiled a "compendious and imaginative headline under which he puts down his impressions and experiences gathered during a long period of research into the question of bribery and corruption, how they arose and how far they have putrefied our social system," (pg.v). The introductory chapter surveys what others have written about bribery and corruption, and the remaining chapters discuss the types of bribery and corruption that exist in different sectors of Nigerian society. Areas covered include: police and traffic, railroad and shipping, civil and criminal courts, and public officials.
Each chapter develops Nkwoh's ideas about how greed and poverty serve as the two root causes of bribery and corruption. The author also argues that even though all would condemn bribery, few actually oppose it. He asks,. . . but does experience not show us that all these public denunciations effect little, if anything at all? How can we condemn these evils in the daylight when so many of us are arch-givers or receivers of bribes in the secret of darkness? (pg.vii).
Nkwoh also deals with the possible consequences: the rich succeed, while poor do not; the incompetence of public officials; the loss of constituents' trust and the loss of self worth; smuggling; and the breakdown of the court system, the rule of law and the social contract.
The author fears that a neocolonial state is the logical end to a political system that relies on bribery, nepotism and corruption. He cautions that corrupt officials "generally seek aid from their foreign paymasters, but the story of their end is invariably the same. If they succeed it is usually as captive to their foreign protectors and often at the price of their country's independence," (pg.24-25). Nkwoh believes that the current political system, c.1965, breeds corruption through its electoral practices. He asks, "Imagine a candidate spending £3000 for an election! He must recoup himself of his losses as soon as he succeeds. I wonder if Parliament is the way to make money anyhow," (pg.16).
Each chapter develops Nkwoh's ideas about how greed and poverty serve as the two root causes of bribery and corruption. The author also argues that even though all would condemn bribery, few actually oppose it. He asks,. . . but does experience not show us that all these public denunciations effect little, if anything at all? How can we condemn these evils in the daylight when so many of us are arch-givers or receivers of bribes in the secret of darkness? (pg.vii).
Nkwoh also deals with the possible consequences: the rich succeed, while poor do not; the incompetence of public officials; the loss of constituents' trust and the loss of self worth; smuggling; and the breakdown of the court system, the rule of law and the social contract.
The author fears that a neocolonial state is the logical end to a political system that relies on bribery, nepotism and corruption. He cautions that corrupt officials "generally seek aid from their foreign paymasters, but the story of their end is invariably the same. If they succeed it is usually as captive to their foreign protectors and often at the price of their country's independence," (pg.24-25). Nkwoh believes that the current political system, c.1965, breeds corruption through its electoral practices. He asks, "Imagine a candidate spending £3000 for an election! He must recoup himself of his losses as soon as he succeeds. I wonder if Parliament is the way to make money anyhow," (pg.16).
Creator
Nkwoh, Marius
Publisher
Aba : International Press
Date
1965
Rights
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.
Language
English
Type
Onitsha market literature
Identifier
ksrl.c3555
Collection
Citation
Nkwoh, Marius, “Bribery and corruption : bane of our society,” KU Libraries Exhibits, accessed October 31, 2024, https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/items/show/6872.