Ahead of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary tomorrow, the Director-General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, has called on Nigerians to stop celebrating fraudsters and unscrupulous elements. Oghenesivbe, gave the charge while speaking as special guest AT the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and later, at a popular radio talkshow in Asaba, weekend.
He emphasized that the culture of celebrating ill-gotten wealth has contributed to the country’s socio-economic woes and moral decay.
He lamented that 64 years after Independence, Nigeria’s reputation was fast dwindling at the global stage due to acute corruption and primitive accumulation of wealth by some corrupt leaders, noting that looting of public funds had become endemic and a way of life, which is why the younger generation of Nigerians no longer believe in patriotism, moral values and integrity.
He urged parents, children and caregivers to consistently inculcate positive moral values, patriotism and fear of God in their children, pay attention to their needs, and ensure that they keep the right company all through to adulthood, so as to avoid polluting the society with hardened criminals that have little or no value for human lives.
He noted that, until corrupt and morally bankrupt leaders begin to do the right things through genuine attitudinal change, show remorse by voluntarily returning stolen public funds and abstain from primitive accumulation of wealth, the nation will consistently slide deeper into socio-economic woes, while the poor will continue to be poorer because of the unscrupulous transactions of greedy leaders in high places.
Dr Oghenesivbe urged the Federal Government to urgently do something positive about the negative image of Nigeria in the comity of nations, through deliberate and transparent efforts in the fight against corruption.
He noted that, war against corruption based on selective justice will do the nation no good, adding that recent media reports allegedly linking some senior government officials to executive bribery and strategic corruption in the case of transgender Bobrisky, had dealt a big blow on the nation’s reputation, home and abroad, while commending federal lawmakers for initiating investigation into the matter.
“We thank God that Nigeria is still united. That’s the only thing that I see in us as a nation, 64 years after Independence.
“Nearly, if not all sectors of the nation’s economy, are in comatose. Inflation is at its peak at between 34% and 38% high. The Naira has become powerless, exchanging at N1,700 to one United States Dollar, while poverty is already killing our people more than any known killer disease.
“Until we genuinely begin to question ill-gotten wealth, stop celebrating fraudsters and unscrupulous elements in Nigeria, we shall continue in this trajectory of socioeconomic retrogression and morally bankrupt society.
“At 64, Nigeria is still looking for ways and means to feed her citizens, provide enduring social services and qualitative education to her teeming youth population.
It is that bad. Insecurity is destroying the very fabric of our nation. We have been overwhelmed by too many self inflicted challenges, and counting,” Oghenesivbe added.
To get Nigeria working, Oghenesivbe advised that we must begin to question the sudden wealth of those who live in affluence without visible and genuine means of livelihood. This is where to begin a new journey to a greater Nigeria.
