August 6, 2013

Finest Hour 120, Autumn 2003

Page 13

BY OLUBSUYI PEKUN

From The Vanguard, Lagos, Nigeria, 24 July 2003 – reprinted by permission

Corruption as a major form of social evil in Nigeria tends to harbour perilous indices that would never support the emergence of a healthy nation, a strong economy, a just and egalitarian society that can become the pride of all. Similar maladies have been diagnosed in the past.

2024 International Churchill Conference

Join us for the 41st International Churchill Conference. London | October 2024

More

In his memoirs, The Second World War, vol. Ill, The Grand Alliance, British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill described a tense naval situation involving the German warship Bismarck—a terrific ship and a masterpiece of naval construction whose mission was to destroy commerce on the Atlantic. The Bismarck had become a threat to British citizens, their economy, naval pride and well being.

Confronted with these circumstances, Churchill was most concerned over the moral effects of her continuing existence and material damage on shipping. Similarly, he weighed the misgivings that would have arisen regarding British capacity to control the oceans, knowing that Bismarck’s triumphs would be trumpeted round the world.

These fears were dispelled in the final offensive, when Bismarck was overwhelmed by severe British attacks with the death blows struck by a British cruiser, HMS Dorsetshire. Churchill ascribed credit to all branches of British forces for their contributions which led to the successful outcome.

How did this occur? It was accomplished by two things: determination and coordination.

First, the battleship Prince of Wales maintained her pursuit of the Bismarck, giving time for allied forces to assemble. Second, when Bismarck was lost, aircraft found her and guided British warships back to the chase. Third, a cruiser directed the seaborne attack. Fourth, British destroyers harassed and held Bismarck through a long night and led Royal Navy forces to the final scene of destruction.

Some salient points worth noting from this combat story are that faith, good plans, high level commitment and coordinated teamwork can lead to the attainment of victory, albeit at a cost, in a given campaign.

Nigeria today is often portrayed as the most corrupt country in the world. Yet how many Nigerian leaders and those in positions of authority have genuine misgivings, aside from verbal condemnation about our inability to control corruption? How many are concerned that we cannot attract foreign capital in spite of our great potential, and that this is a major detriment to industrialization?

How many want to do something about the devastating moral consequences of corruption that have decayed and paralysed public institutions? For a very long time the corrupt behavior of a few of our nationals has brought shame, disgrace and humiliation to Nigerians at home and abroad.

We continue to suffer social stigma and rejection because of the greed of a few. The panacea lies in our ability to coordinate all our forces in society to confront the all forms of corruption with a determination to rise above the present realities and challenges.

Mr. Pekun is a regular contributor to The Vanguard