Page 93 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 10

COMMUNITY

and measured. Jain, an economics
professor at Concordia University
argues that a brief definition of cor-
ruption is difficult to get. He defines
corruption as “an act in which the
power of the public office is used
for personal gain in the manner that
contravenes the rules of the game.”
He comments on the abuse of pub-
lic office for selfish interest. Dininio
and Kpudeh posit that from an in-
stitutional point of view, corruption
arises where public officials have
wide authority, weak accountability
and bad incentives.

This captures the corruption in
Nigerian society and some other
parts of Africa. There is a way out
or short cut to everything in Nigeria
which brings corruption to the high-
est level. Corruption has become
to subvert or diminish the capac- has become the order of the day. the bedrock for survival in Nigeria.
ity of the legitimate authorities to This contributes to the absurdism As a result of political corruption
provide fully for the material and of government agencies because and lapses, individuals resort to
spiritual well being of all manners corruption breeds from their tents. vices to make both ends meet. This
of society in a just and equitable How can it be that the government is seen in the character of Egoigwe,
manner.” institution that should project trans- whose fortune comes from a career
parency is the biggest perpetrator as a ruthless drug dealer. Egoigwe
The Nigeria Customs Service ex- of vices? This causes a proliferation becomes so influential in Utonki vil-
hibits or is known for bribery and of social vices in the society. The lage which makes him a ladies’ man.
corruption as the author captures red-tapism of the officers encour- He pays his way out in the business
it. As Ike returns from America, he ages extortion because every officer either with a pastor, a mallam, or
is queried about his luggage at the wants to make it by all means too. a dibia, for spiritual protection, to
airport by Nigerian Custom Office In a related development, Desta is succeed in his drug business. He
requesting a bribe before they can of the view that corruption by most always succeeds in transporting
let him go. In his narrative, Ndibe Africans is a practical issue that drugs out of the country, which
writes: “You have twenty-two pack- involves: “Outright theft, embezzle- shows the incompetence of the cus-
et shirts, twelve dresses, many, many ment of funds or other misappro- toms officers and the drug agency
trinkets and sixteen deodorants.” priation of state property, nepotism on duty or rather, he bribes them.
Ike nodded. “That na commercial and the granting of favor to per- Corruption has become a means of
quantity. You have to pay duty.” sonal acquaintances and the abuse survival. Thus Egoigwe indulges in
“What do you mean by commercial of the public authority to extract drug trafficking to make enormous
quantity?” “Na buying and selling.” payment and privilege.” wealth and fame.
“It’s not true.” Ike looked straight
in the face. “They are gifts.” The This means that the government of- However, we see Ike from the early
officer sneered. “Gifts?” He sharply ficials in most African countries are pages of the novel, hopeful about
turned away. The officer shrugged, outrightly involved in bribery and acquiring his green card; he goes
unimpressed. “I don tell you. This corruption or the sole perpetrators to the extent of arranging a mar-
na (is) commercial quantity.” of corruption which has negative riage orchestrated by Ricardo Otis,
effects on the masses. The manner a Puerto Rican marriage broker.
The above excerpt depicts the decay in which corruption is defined ends This desperate move, his only other
in Nigeria Customs Service, which up determining what gets modeled choice after his relationship with

WWW.MSINGIAFRIKAMAGAZINE.COM ISSUE 10 JAN/FEB 2020 93