Why Obinwanem Ndi Igbo Supports the EFCC’s Bold New Strategy Against Corruption
Corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of our society, and for years, the focus has been on catching and punishing the culprits. But has it worked? The numbers say no. As we celebrate high-profile arrests and prosecutions, new forms of corruption spring up faster than ever. This is why Obinwanem Ndi Igbo is standing in solidarity with the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, in his revolutionary approach to prioritising prevention over punishment.
“Enforcement alone has failed us. It’s time for something different,” Olukoyede declared boldly* during a recent address in Abuja. He made it clear that simply chasing corrupt individuals with force and legal might is not enough. After two decades of using enforcement as the primary weapon, corruption is still growing, evolving, and becoming smarter.
But why is that?
As Olukoyede rightly pointed out, “there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with our people.” The real problem lies in the erosion of our values. Over time, greed and self-interest have taken precedence over the communal and cultural values that once guided our ancestors. The system we operate in has, unfortunately, nurtured this mindset.
So, what’s the solution?
Olukoyede believes the answer lies in prevention. He calls for a return to our roots, where natural justice, equity, and accountability were pillars of our culture. At Obinwanem Ndi Igbo, we echo this sentiment. Our tradition has always had built-in mechanisms to deter wrongdoing without the need for drawn-out court processes or armed enforcement. It was a system where integrity was honored, and bad behaviour was met with swift, fair justice based on community standards.
Corruption through the lens of culture
In Igbo culture, the community plays a central role in upholding integrity. When someone violated trust, they didn’t just face individual punishment; they were judged by the community, by elders, and by tradition. It was a system that worked—because it was based on natural justice, not protocols. The entire society participated in preserving the moral fabric of the community.
By combining Olukoyede’s modern policy focus on prevention with our age-old Igbo cultural values, we have the potential to reshape how Nigeria tackles corruption. We don’t need armoured vehicles and high-tech surveillance to make lasting changes. We need to revisit what made our people strong in the first place: trust, respect, and fairness.
It’s time for a change
The call to action is clear. Obinwanem Ndi Igbo is ready to join forces with the EFCC and other like-minded organizations to preach the message of corruption prevention through our deeply rooted cultural values. Justice doesn’t have to be slow. It shouldn’t be. When we lean on natural justice and equity, we eliminate the endless protocols and bureaucracy that delay accountability.
Corruption thrives when values are ignored. Let’s bring back integrity, honour, and accountability—the principles that define our culture and traditions. It’s time to restore our values and fight corruption from the ground up.
Do you agree with this approach? Can our cultural values help prevent corruption better than enforcement? We want to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment below!
Written by Obinwannem Nwokwu Chukwuemeka (Obinwannem News correspondent Ebonyi State)
Date: September 8, 2024
Ubochi Orie Mmiri
Published by Ugwu Okechukwu (CEO Obinwannem Foundation)
