A Professor of Accounting and Taxation, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Emmanuel Eneche Onoja, has advocated for the adoption of Chinese model of fighting corruption to enable the government deal with corruption to the barest minimum.
He said that the fight against corruption may be difficult to achieve in Nigeria until government adopt the Chinese model where corrupt leaders are made to face capital punishment.
Onoja an erudite scholar and the head of department of accountancy FUL, made the call while delivering the 23rd Inaugural Lecture series of the University titled “Accountability, Sustainability, and Social Justice: Key Catalysts for Nation Building” held at College of Health Science, Adankolo campus of the institution in Lokoja, Kogi state.
The university don who stated that corruption has been a cog in the wheel of development of the country, said the anti-graft agencies saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption may find it difficult to achieve their mandates if proactive and decisive measures are not taken by the appropriate authority.
He said, “For us to get things right in this country, there is need to adopt Chinese model of fighting corruption where corrupt leaders are made to face capital punishment for their corrupt practices. China today enjoys corrupt free society because of the decisive action taken by the government.
“If similar method can be applied in Nigeria, it will eliminate siphoning the resources meant for the public. Again when leaders are held accountable, they are more likely to make decisions that prioritize the well-being of the population,” he stated.
He called on the government at all level to intensify effort in monitoring to checkmate the excesses of the people holding public offices in trust.
Speaking on the issues of accountability, sustainability, and social justice, the university lecturer said that governments supported by citizens are better placed to build nations that can deliver the dividends of democracy.
“For a government to be accountable and transparent, citizens must go beyond choosing their leaders at periodic elections to actually participate in governance processes, hold the leaders accountable for sustainability of programmes and social justice for citizens”
Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, pointed out that the theme of the lecture could not be more timely as it addresses critical principles such as accountability, sustainability, and social justice that are vital for navigating the complex socio-economic challenges of our time, noting that the values form the foundation for building a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous nation.
The Vice Chancellor who described Professor Emmanuel Eneche Onoja as a scholar of repute whose contributions to his field are well recognized both nationally and internationally, adding that his work embodies the essence of scholarship that bridges theory and practice, providing insights that not only advance academic thought but also address critical societal needs.