HOW TO DEVELOP A CORRUPT-FREE NATION: THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY
Introduction
It is unanimously affirmed among scholars that the
family is the primary social unit which recruits new entrants into the larger
society. The family, apart from its role of ensuring and sustaining the human
race through procreation, has the responsibility of educating its members for
spiritual awareness, moral consciousness and intellectual development.
Consequently, whatever the quality of values, norms of
behavior, habits etc. that a child acquires from his family reflect greatly on
the society. This is so because the first point of socialization is undoubtedly
the family. Thus, social malaise such as corruption wallows in a nation where
the family is unresponsive. The thrust of this paper, therefore, is to cogently
discuss the family as the bedrock of a corrupt-free nation.
Family conceptualized
According to the US Census Bureau, a family is seen as
two or more people who are living together, related by blood, birth, marriage
or adoption. The family is also defined as a fundamental social group in
society, typically consisting of one or two parents and their children. Irrespective
of the structures of families, what they all have in common is that there
appears a feeling of affection among the members.
Corruption conceptualized
According to Huntington (1968), corruption is the
‘behavior of public officials which deviates from accepted norms in order to
serve private end’. Smith Abdullah (1976) defines it ‘as diversion of material
wealth intended for effective achievement of socially desirable ends into the
pocket of individuals’.
Corruption is nomenclature in several ways in the
Glorious Qur’an ̶ it is seen as evil, mischief, hateful deeds etc. The Qur’an
says: “Evil has appeared on land and sea because of what hands of men have
earned, that He (Allah) may make them taste part of which they have done, in
order that they may return.” (Q 30: 41)
Causes of corruption
The causes of corruption are legion; however, we shall
briefly talk about a representative few. The first cause of corruption is a
squalid change in the value system and ethical qualities of people. People’s
orientation about ideal values of morality, service and honesty has reached its
nadir. It seems corruption is gaining official recognition in world societies
today, especially in Nigeria. Hence, its perpetrators are not remorseful about
the sleaze. The cases of Goodluck Jonathan who said ‘stealing is not
corruption’; Andrew Yakubu who called the jaw-breaking sum of $9.8 million and
£74,000 uncovered from where he hid it a gift justify our point here. To this,
the Prophet said that Allah does not like those who take delight in making open
their sins after He has screened them.
Illiteracy, poverty and poor economic infrastructure are
also responsible for the height of corruption today. Observation reveals that
some uneducated fellows partake in corrupt practices, such as electoral
malfeasance, because they are unaware of its consequences. This is same in the
case of spiritual corruption resulting from being oblivious of the might of
Allah. Yet, some others indulge in it as a result of the untold hardship which
poverty has wrecked on them.
The ever-increasing love of this world and its
glittering is also identified. In an attempt to gratify their cravings for
ostentatious life-style, people corruptly amass wealth with a sharp disregard
for their sojourn on earth. Allah says: ‘The mutual rivalry (for piling up of
worldly things) diverts you, until you visit the graves.’ Q 102: 1-2.
Effects of corruption
The effects of corruption on people, society and the
economy are alarming. We shall restrict ourselves to highlighting its effects
on each of the above mentioned categories.
People:
1.
Unemployment
2.
Lack of quality of goods and services
3.
Social injustice
4.
High rate of immorality
5.
Failure of genuine research on human progress
Society:
1.
Tattered societal image
2.
Disregard for due process
3.
Disrespect for constituted authority
4.
Civil unrest
5.
Aversion for joining the posts linked to corruption by
honest individuals. This makes corruption to grow stronger in the society.
Economy:
1.
Lack of development/growth
2.
Decrease in foreign investment
3.
Rise in poverty
4.
National crises
The family as a panacea to a corrupt-free nation
“…My family and I make a decision not to sit idly and
be part of the problem, but rather, part of the solution. I am the most proud
father̶ having taught my children that integrity, honour, faith and, your
values and beliefs should never be sold or bought – no matter the cost.” (www.tfac.orgfree.com/mypageindex.html).
The above excerpt is rich in moral fiber. It portrays
the kinds of lessons that should be taught in an ideal family. This should be
demonstrated to the letter by all families in order to nip corruption in the
bud.
The family has good weaponry to exterminate
corruption. The anti-graft agencies installed by successive governments in
Nigeria to rein in corruption - such as War against Indiscipline and Corruption
(established, 1984), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (established,
2003) have been performing below expectation. It is but logical; therefore, to
try our hands on the solutions inherent in the family before the cancerous practice
annihilates us all.
In furtherance, families should teach their members
religious values such as consciousness of God. A particular emphasis must be
laid on spirituality much more than religiosity. This is because the former
gives one the wherewithal to guard against evil whisperings such as corruption,
while the latter is a garb under which people hide. This explains why some
so-called religious leaders are found wanting of corrupt practices.
Parents who are the drivers of each family must be
able to live above board by withstanding the temptations of corruption. Bearing
in mind that all that glitters is not gold, each family should cultivate the
habit of the proverbial maintaining a good name is better than wealth. Allah
admonishes us in Q 2: 268 thus:
“Shaitan(Satan) threatens you with poverty and orders
you to commit Fahsha’ (evil deeds,
corruption, sins etc.) whereas Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and
bounty, and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.”
Leadership by example also goes a long way in serving
as a bulwark against corruption. This should be demonstrated by every family
head. Children tend to internalize whatever that is showcased to them - either
good or bad. This is because they are mentally incapacitated to separate the
wheat from the chaff. The hadith of the Prophet is instructive here and it
reads: ‘Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock’.
(Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)
Conclusion
There have been concerted efforts, through different
anti-graft agencies, in the battle against corruption in many societies;
however, the desired result is yet to be achieved. Since corruption is the
consequence of the total breakdown of moral values, the family through the
proliferation of moral values can bring about a corrupt-free nation.
Name: Tanimola,
Sherif Olanrewaju.
Telephone: 08106804995, 08082699864.
Comments
Post a Comment