THE MENACE of CORRUPTION in the SOCIETY

One of the topical issues in the society today is 'corruption'. The word 'corruption' is defined by the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary of English as 'the act of being corrupt'. Being corrupt in this regard is to be immoral, defrayed and dishonest especially by offering and taking bribes. In essence, a corrupt individual is described as being dishonest, takes and recieves bribes and engages in other sharp practices.

Various factors are influencing corruption in the society. These are rooted in the high poverty of individuals and households; poor moral upbringing by parents and guardians; defects in the curriculum of educational institutions; inability to punish those involved in the the act by government; peer influence and the collapse of the value system in the society.

There is no gainsaying that poverty level in many nations in the world has risen beyond limit. There is high cost of living in many nations today, particularly in the developing ones. Head of families are finding it difficult to sustain their families with their nominal income. As a result, they engage in corrupt practices at work to garner additional income to sustain their families and meet their basic needs.

Peer influence is another factor that is influencing corruption. According to the wise saying' shows me your friend and I will tell you who you are'. Many people have taken into the menace because of the influence of their peers on them.

The collapse of the value system in the society further contributes to the high level of corruption. In some developing nations today, the affluent individuals are worshipped and celebrated notwithstanding the source (s) of their wealth. This is synonymous to the 'get rich quick' syndrome among the youths nowadays. Many youths are now eager and desperate to make money and leave affluence life without hard work.

Inability of government to prosecute those involved in corrupt practices has been aiding corruption. Those involved in the act are celebrated and worshipped in the society rather than being punished to serve as deterrent to others. Many individuals had taken into corruption based on the belief that nothing will happen to them even if eventually caught.

Poor moral upbringing of individuals by parents and guardians influences corruption in the society. Many parents and guardians fail to instill discipline in their children at the tender age thus pushing them into various vices when they grow up.

Educational institutions are not helping matter. Curriculums of education system of some countries are defective. Discipline has collapsed in many institutions. Situations where institutions fail to instill discipline in pupils / students cannot but encourage indiscipline of their outputs.

The effects of corruption cannot be overemphasized. Image and status of countries whose citizens engage in corruption are often traumatized at international level Disequilibrium in the provision of social amenities often results from corruption. When money that is meant for provision of infrastructures and facilities are diverted into private pockets, such will lead to dearth and decay of infrastactures and facilities in the nation.

Indirectly, corruption has been aiding other vices like armed robbery, prostitution, hugger among others in the society. This is so when money meant for the development of the society is diverted.

In view of high level corruption in the society today, curbing it should attract the attention of government, parents and others that are contributing to it. Government should make and enforce law(s) against it. Those caught in the act should be tried and convicted to serve as deterrent to others.

Salaries and allowances of workers should be increased to cope with the harsh economy. Curriculum of educational institutions should be reviewed to include courses in favour of moral education. However, education managers should be alive to their responsibilities by instilling discipline in their pupils / students. On a final note, there is need for a change in the value system of the society. Youths should be ready to work hard rather than being eager to make money at all cost and by whatever means. There is the need for parents and guardians, religious leaders, educational institutions' administrators to orientate the citizens against the menace of corruption.