By Sunday Ogidigbo
For the most part of our life as an independent nation, the startling revelation coming out of the whole Dasukigate drama, will remain a reference point to the grand corruption of Nigeria’s political class. It has been said over and over again that the money stolen by the political class since 1960 till date, is more than enough to turn the whole of Nigeria into Dubai, Singapore, Paris and Rome, ten times and over. Money meant for the construction of roads and bridges for ease of transport; for the construction of monuments to preserve our history; for the building of world class schools to educate and nurture Nigeria’s future leaders and inventors; the building of hospitals to care for the sick; to develop our infrastructure and produce power to light our streets and homes, have been shared by a few treacherous prodigals.
The worse form of graft is to steal funds given to execute war. How can one steal the money that is supposed to be used to buy arms and supplies for soldiers battling to keep our country safe? Only a heartless, shameless and greedy generation wallowing like maggots in the cesspool of corruption would enrich itself with blood money. What is heartbreaking is the fact that everyone so far fingered, professes one faith or the other. I do not know any religious book that preaches corruption. It appears corruption is the religion of the ruling class, with majority worshiping at the altar of mammon. This generation of politicians in fellowship are united by greed and driven by selfishness.
Nigeria, a great nation, blessed with human and natural resources has come to this sorry pass because of a failed, shameless and greedy generation of politicians whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, whose glory is their shame, and who mind earthly things. A shameless, wicked and perverse generation, whose ways my generation must not learn, whose name should be written in the hall of shame, whose story must be taught to our children as an example of failed and irresponsible leadership and abuse of public trust.
While the prodigal sons of Nigeria are looting this country blind and raping Nigeria from every side, Paul Kagame, few years ago inherited a country still bleeding from the evils of war. President Kagame in no time has built in Africa, a country that now ranks tops like Scandinavian countries, according to the Human Development Index. Clearly, development and greed are mutually exclusive and so is wisdom and greed. As Rusty Eric said, “As long as greed is stronger than compassion, there will always be suffering.”
Only a heartless, shameless and greedy generation wallowing like maggots in the cesspool of corruption would enrich itself with blood money. What is heartbreaking is the fact that everyone so far fingered, professes one faith or the other. I do not know any religious book that preaches corruption. It appears corruption is the religion of the ruling class, with majority worshiping at the altar of mammon. This generation of politicians in fellowship are united by greed and driven by selfishness.
Looking ahead, I pray that God will raise to us, leaders in Nigeria who are selfless, humane and wise; leaders who are driven by compassion to see Nigeria achieve lasting success in all sectors of its political economy; a generation of leaders with a burning sense of purpose to dream bigger, and do better than the first world; a political class with a clear sense of vision, with eyes set like the flint to serve the poor, the rich, the weak and the strong. Also, a generation that knows that a good name is better than silver and gold; a generation that knows that what its children’s children should inherit are not homes and cars, but a name and character that can open doors to riches and honour, like those of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi.
Sunday Ogidigbo is the Lead Pastor at Holyhill Church Abuja. You can connect with him on Twitter @sogidigbo or visit www.sogidigbo.com for more information.
Via Premium Times
Image Credit: Chris Ogunlowo
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