Book: Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria
Author: S Labanji Bolaji
Publisher: Daystar Press
Who was S
(Simeon) Labanji Bolaji? He was a Nigerian newspaper administrator and editor,
a journalist, author, intellectual and social critic. He published at least
four books, of which many pundits consider Anatomy of Corruption to be the most
important. Labanji edited national newspapers like Sketch, Tribune, Punch and
Concord. He published hundreds of pungent articles where he essentially pushed
for a more decent, integrity-driven innovative society. Throughout his lifetime
he fought against scourges like corruption, bribery and sharp practices no
matter how high-placed. The book, Anatomy of Corruption is very much an
eye-opener especially in view of particular societal tendencies and cultural
practices that tend to encourage corruption. Indeed many things we take for
granted are ruinous and insidious. The author points out brilliantly again and
again that often what seems common and simple are destroying the society and
country. We learn that corruption comes in all shapes and sizes,
"corruption of the soul"; "corruption of the body" wherein
humans succumb to the weaknesses of the flesh, and even use sex as a weapon or
blackmail. Paying sycophants, including musicians to sing one's praises in
crafty manner - all this fan and fuel corruption, dishonesty across the board...Reading
this book one is amazed at how much of a thinker and prophet the author was;
his thorough analysis of the evils of corruption is startling. No wonder the
book has been a hit globally, stocked in countless international libraries across
the world. Even now in the light of what the current Nigerian President, Buhari
avows, this book is so relevant. "If we don't kill corruption in Nigeria,
it will kill us all," Buhari would say. Labanji knew that many decades ago!
- P Lothane
- P Lothane
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