Corruption Has Been Institutionalized In Nigeria, Laments Catholic Bishop

Most Rev. John Okeoghene Afareha, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Warri, Delta state, on Sunday lamented that corruption has been institutionalized in Nigeria.

This is coming at the wake of the 2019 Corruption Perception Index, (CPI),  released by Transparency International, TI, which ranked Nigeria at 146 out of 180 countries analysed.

This is also in departure of claims by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a statement by its acting spokesman, Tony Orilade, which described the poor rating by IT as baseless, appalling and jaundiced.

Afareha who spoke at the Thanksgiving service of the Managing Director/CEO of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission, DESOPADEC at St Mathias Catholic Church, Uzere in Isoko South Local government area of Delta State, says ‘corruption is like terrorism in Nigeria’.

In his homily, the cleric said that the love for material wealth is the reason corruption has become endemic in the nation’s polity.

He likened the scourge of corruption to terrorism and called on all Nigerians, to purged themselves so as to free the nation from the monster.

According to the Catholic Bishop, “Corruption is like terrorism, it goes side by side with Boko Haram and Nigerians have adopted it as a department in the nation polity”, he said.

But commending the celebrant, Bashorun Askia Ogieh for the grace of God upon him, he urged him to use his position to bring development to his mandate area of representation and Delta state.

“Use your position to develop your areas of representation and the oil producing communities in the state”, he admonished.

Speaking at the event, Bashorun Askia said, “This Thanksgiving Service is for my appointment as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) which Your Excellency graciously made possible.

“Your Excellency, I appreciate that you let me into where the political paddle of Delta State is hidden and the Canoe has been sailing smoothly even in rough waters and you know, it is without regrets because for me, it is the right thing to do.

To whom much is given, much is expected amd I do not take lightly the huge confidence reposed on me and my team with our appointments. It is a call to duty, a call to build a Delta primed to equip our people with the wherewithal to become entrepreneurial and by creating a clement environment for them to achieve their potentials.

“I will not fail you, I will not fail our good people of Delta State and to our people in the oil producing communities, I pledge that under my watch, we will be engaging and liaising with you in decision making. In project execution, the desires and priorities of the communities will be paramount.

Speaking further, Bashorun said, “I am an apostle of “Politics is Local” as it is what you do at that level that enhances your status at both the state and federal levels.

“My political followers, especially of the Peoples Democratic Party stock, across the Isoko Nation can attest to the fact of my modest sharing of my successes with them even at the immodest risk of saying so myself.

“I can take that risk, after all, no good politician should be quiet about even the little things he has done for his people.

The occasion was attended by Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, former Governor, Chief James Ibori, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, amongst other top government functionaries.