Institutional Fraud, Quackery Bane Of Nigeria’s Devt – Varsity Don

Untill governments at all levels demonstrate strong political will and confront institutional malaise including systemic quackery, corruption and other prevalent unprofessional conducts, Nigeria’s march to socioeconomic freedom would continue to be a mirage.

This was the crux of the 127th in the series of inaugural lectures entitled; “Professionalism” by a Professor of Media Law, Ethics and Strategic Communications of the  University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Prof. Nsikan Senam, held at the 1,000 -capacity TETfund Auditorium, Nwaniba, Uyo main campus of the institution.

He frowned at widespread frauds and certificate racketeering that has plagued the system over the years, regretting that several cases of certificate discrepancies involving senior political officers including even a president of this country, had in time past been swept under the carpets.

To address such embarrassing cases from rearing their ugly heads, the Strategic Communications expert called for the amendment of the constitutional provision on qualification of Nigerian president, noting that such specification would put paid to fragrant abuse of the relevant sections of the law during every election year.

Such an ably qualified president, he noted, would be in good stead to fight and eradicate the growing incidences of certificate forgery, corruption and other malpractices combining to weigh down the system

He faulted the constitutional provision particularly section 131, subsection ‘D’, which provides that “the president must be educated up to at least a secondary school certificate,” warning that a nation that disregards professionalism would not experience true development.

He said: ”I draw your attention to section 130  of the Nigerian constitution 1999 section 1 which says there shall be for the Federation a President, and the President shall be the Head of State, shall be the Chief Executive of the Federation and shall be the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.

”Section 131 subsection A says that for a person to be qualified as president of Nigeria, must be a Nigerian by birth, (B); must be up yo 40 years, (C); must be a member of a political party and sponsored by a political party and ( D), must have been educated up to at least General Certificate of Education (GCE).

”Nigeria will not experience meaningful development when there is no regard to professionalism.”

“How can we expect someone to be president of Nigeria superintending over several millions of people without a certificate?,” he queried.

Prof. Senam, therefore, underscored the centrality of competence, integrity and ethical conduct in nation-building, warning that mediocrity in public life continues to undermine the country’s progress.

He noted the intricate relationship between law, government and the media, describing it as a “marriage of convenience,” adding that while government enacts and amends laws regulating media practice, the media in turn plays a crucial role in surveillance, agenda-setting, social integration and status conferral in the society.

Acting vice chancellor of the University, Prof. Samuel Odewumi, who presided over the session, described the work as scholarly, recalling that “this is one of the best inaugural lectures I have ever attended,” and commended Prof. Senam “for indepth research,” noting that “the Professor has acquitted himself creditably well.”