How we play a part in corruption

Early last week, I was at the fuel station (name withheld) to get diesel for the generator due to the consistent power outage usually experienced in Nigeria. Getting there, I met a queue, so I had no option other than joining the queue. After about ten minutes, a Toyota land cruiser jeep drove in to the fuel station with the driver appearing to be in his mid 30s or early 40s behind the wheel. For no reason, I watched him from where I was. He had approached one of the sales attendants and given the attendant his 25litre gallon in order that he could be sold fuel without having to join the queue (something everyone did). It was finally my turn after queuing for close to thirty minutes or an hour. The sales attendant for no reason decided to attend to the man with the Toyota jeep even though it was clear that other people had been there before him. Everyone that queued for the sale of diesel got upset because some of them had waited long for their turn. Having lain their complaints and disagreements, they eventually decided to acknowledge the fact that he was a "big man" and that it is the norm in the country. After he bought the diesel, he handed over wads of hundred naira notes to the attendant because she sold to him faster and without stress. Everyone, eventually has a role to play in the so called ‘’corruption’’. From the ten naira you give to your siblings at home so as to cover your mischief, to the large sum of money that you give so that the contract will be awarded to you. The truth about corruption is that both the giver and taker all play the same part in most cases. While some people are tricked into taking bribes others simply enjoy being part of it. Greed and selfishness are the major reasons people take and give bribes. Remember when your mom leaves your siblings in your charge, while she quickly runs to the market to get some food stuff and during that period she is gone, you mistakenly break a plate or cup. Then, you condition your siblings not to tell your mom (knowing there would be a punishment if your mom knew who broke her precious plate or cup) in return for sweets, biscuits and sometimes little changes etc. When you do this, you open their minds to see that you must give ‘’something’’ if you want some things to be overlooked or if you want things your way. More often, parents, themselves go as far as bribing or in their own minds giving money to someone to help their child perform well in an exam. Imagine paying a large sum as school fees for your child and you deny that child the privilege to defend their stay in school, after having spent six years through ranks of classes. The fight against corruption can only begin with us changing our mentality, and sticking to honesty rather than the quicker way which is dishonesty. We have to, in our own little ways, stop the role we play in this widespread epidemic, called Corruption. (This article was adapted from a write up by my friend: Edet Bassey)