Waiting for the Wheel of Corruption to Come Their Way: The Mentality in Question Is Much Older Than You Think
["there are two types of thieves in Nigeria. Usually, one type of thieve is condemned to mob justice, death sentence or incarceration, while the other type is celebrated. The first type belongs to pick-pockets while the second type belongs to government and parastatal officials. Since the days of Ibrahim Babangida, Nigerians have been indoctrinated to believe that stealing (government) money meant to provide potable water, electricity, standard housing, standard hospitals, schools for children, good and safety roads, refine crude oil and defend citizens against terrorism by officials, is not theft. That is why those who steal from our collective patrimony is celebrated by those who think that it will be their turn one day to be appointed, selected, elected or employed in the system of turn-by-turn stealing of money appropriated to provide for the common good of all Nigerians"].
The genealogy of the mentality that motivates the attitude toward the looting of any public treasure in question precedes Babangida; both fictional and nonfiction literature provide ample evidence. Just read Naija literature since 1950's, especially Achebe's. The refrain -- which one concern you, na your papa or mama money?-- has a long history which predates Baba. Our everyday re-education (formal and informal) at all levels (from preschool to the university) has to begin exemplarily right now and has to focus on questions of the morality and economics of corruption in general and egregious corruption in particular.
> On Dec 24, 2016, at 7:45 AM, Salimonu Kadiri <ogunlakaiye@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> there are two types of thieves in Nigeria. Usually, one type of thieve is condemned to mob justice, death sentence or incarceration, while the other type is celebrated. The first type belongs to pick-pockets while the second type belongs to government and parastatal officials. Since the days of Ibrahim Babangida, Nigerians have been indoctrinated to believe that stealing (government) money meant to provide potable water, electricity, standard housing, standard hospitals, schools for children, good and safety roads, refine crude oil and defend citizens against terrorism by officials, is not theft. That is why those who steal from our collective patrimony is celebrated by those who think that it will be their turn one day to be appointed, selected, elected or employed in the system of turn-by-turn stealing of money appropriated to provide for the common good of all Nigerians.
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