On Hushpuppi and the Paradox of Corruption in Nigeria ~ Akinlabi

On Hushpuppi and the Paradox of Corruption in Nigeria

While Nigerians collectively condemn corruption in public spaces, paradoxically, we are active participants in its social reproductions. From government offices, university campuses, police stations and motor parks to religious institutions and social media platforms, Nigerians are active participants in perpetuating corruption in their society. Though, most do so in circumstances that are partly beyond their control.
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The cultural and religious expectations that one can achieve success or wealth without work, the larger system of inequality and failure of government to meet the basic needs of the people has contributed to a sense where we celebrate wealth without investigating its source. As a result, we now have a generation without the basic understanding of “dignity in labour”. Our measures of success is now defined by money or social media show-offs.
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The irony is that academic and business successes that are built with sweat and determination count for nothing if you cannot share money, do social media giveaway, or show off your designer shoes and blings.
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As nation, we will continue to have the likes of hushpuppi or hushnonsense representing our National image abroad if we do not prioritize our National goals above sectional or personal agenda. If our leaders fail to invest in the youth, or feel the youths do not matter, Nigeria will soon be up for sale on craigslist, Gumtree or Jumia.
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At least, hushpuppi and his gang stole from 1.9 million people worldwide. Did you know that number is more than the population of 81 countries, including Bahrain with 1.6 million people to Tokelau with 1,340 people and Vatican City with 801 people?
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If not that the strong arm of the law finally wrapped its fingers around him, I’m sure some of our royal fathers will give him a chieftaincy title very soon…or he will end up in politics.
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Nigeria is the only country I know where anyone can gain millions of followers on social media once he has ill-gotten wealth to show off. We do “rankadede” and “tuale baba” to thieves and fraudsters in a bid to “benefit” from them. No one cares about the source of the wealth being squandered on expensive lifestyle.

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When you ask the likes of hushpuppi about the sources of their wealth, you hear things like “I’m a business man”. Like most Nigerians, that’s where we put a stop to our probes. If one dares to ask further, they’ll say “I’m into oil business” or are you jealous of my success?
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We all know that they aren’t into oil business. Those who work hard for their money don’t show off or spend recklessly. After all, the likes of Adenuga, Dangote, and Bill Gates are still alive. I haven’t seen them in designer blings or showing off their palatial homes on social media.
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Anyway, those that our Economic and Financial Crimes Commission cannot arrest, Dubai Police, FBI and Interpol will help us weed them out.
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All the “gbewiri” and “barawo” sympathisers, well done o! Your own day will come.

(c) Mike Olu Akinlabi, PhD
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