Effective fight against corruption must begin with individual members of the society.
Stakeholders stated this during a one day interfaith advocacy meeting with stakeholders in Awka, organized by the University of Nigeria Nsukka Muslim Community in conjunction with Mambaya House, Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano.
The project with the title “Promoting Accountability and Anti Corruption through Behavioural Change Approaches, the programme is supported by MacArthur Foundation
In welcome address, the Director of UNNMC, represented by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Salau Sikiru, stressed the need for religious leaders and organizations to lead the campaign against corruption by ensuring strict adherence to the dictates of the holy books.
“If we obey the dictates of the Holy bible and Holy Quran, we will have less to battle against corruption. We invited you to tell you that you have a great role to play in the fight against corruption”.
“Our religious leaders must live by example. Both Muslims and Christians must remember the day of accountability when we shall give account of our lives to God”.
A Christian clergy, Reverend Isaac Opayinka, described corruption as a disease, which leads to backwards. “It dashes the future of our country. Today, everyone wants to leave Nigeria especially the youths”.
“Corruption and its havocs affect religions and tribes. Joblessness in Nigeria is a product of corruption. Also today, we battle with insecurity because corruption has taken the centre stage”.
Opayinka maintains that corruption is an attitudinal weakness which only few people have overcome. “Everyone can be corrupt but a few have chosen not to be. Tackling it begins from the individual and the family. A man needs God to overcome corrupt tendencies.
“It is the spirit of God that helps a man to live above corruption. If the fight against corruption does not start from individuals, it is a waste of time,” Opayinka submitted.
In the view of a Muslim cleric, Abass Abubakar Aliyu, religion is meant to guide man against ungodly conducts. “Unfortunately, this is not happening in our time. Corruption has entered the churches and mosques and we seem to be helpless”.
“Corruption which is the misuse of resources under people’s custody, can stop a man from gaining heaven,” Aliyu warned.
The event features interactive session during which participants shared their personal experiences with corruption in various spheres of life. They stressed the need to save the future by catching the children young with the right messages that discourage wealth without virtues.
Participants were drawn the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, FOMWAN, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria, MCAN among others.
