A failure of corporate governance in NNPC?

Over the years, increase in sharp practices in the society has been of grave concern to those few Nigerians who are not corrupt. For ages, the importation of fraudulent behaviour by those in power into private and public spaces has altered the psyche of many of our youths as well as adults in the society. The situation is so appalling that most Nigerians believe all they need to do is beg for an appointment either in public or private sector only to enrich themselves, not to serve.
There was a time in the history of our nation when a person’s word was his or her bond, when dishonesty was the exception, children were of good morals, right was right, and wrong was wrong, and above all, we felt safe in our communities within the country. At that time, most Nigerians had freedom to do the right thing without hurting others and betraying the confidence reposed in them by the nation. Though tribe and tongue may differ, it was a right to live truly, speak truly, and deal truly with one another as citizens of a nation.
This was Nigeria where I grew up before and shortly after independence until the civil war broke out in 1967. The civil war brought in all shapes and sizes of ills into the society. When you take an audit of the nation we live in today, you begin to wonder why the country is filled up with crimes and all manner of immoralities. Who are those controlling our society, molding the minds of the young ones, and the larger society? The situation is so bad that I had to ask: Where are the pious men and women in our polity? How and when will our leaders halt corruption and rebuild Nigeria for good.
For those who are willing, able and ready to rebuild our nation, they must start from their families. The failure of the family system as an infinitesimal component of the larger society has largely frustrated governance in Nigeria such that the character displayed most of our people is questionable. When those saddled with the responsibility of governing the people do not have the right character, policies fail, and strategies poorly implemented, as they raise personal interest over the nation’s interest.
Today, Nigerians are searching for solutions for change, hope, peace and unity. If truly Nigerians want to have a positive narration, actions must speak louder than words. We must all be instruments of change. You may be wondering why much space and time has been devoted to this homily. It is because we need to positively transform our character to achieve our development goals as a nation. We all need to be part of the political train in a democracy.
But politics they always say, is a dirty game. I have a feeling that no matter how pious you are, your integrity most times will be at stake if you steer a course into politics. If you have the same desire to leave a legacy behind like the management guru, Peter Drucker, you need to wear the armour of God. Why? It is to enable you stand your ground when the evil day comes, do the right thing and speak the truth. The evil day is that day when your principal will compel you to commit crime in the interest of national security.
Regrettably, you cannot hold political office without being in politics. Why is it that when a man or woman decides to enter into politics, his or her integrity is at stake? Is politics responsible for corrupting politicians, or politicians are the ones corrupting politics? I asked these questions because once you leave the comfort of your room and enter into the murky waters of Nigeria’s political arena, you are very likely to be stained.
So the question is: Who approved that due process for contracts worth US$ 25 billion be snapped by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru, as alleged? If the allegation was true, it leaves much to be desired about corporate governance in the NNPC. I don’t know why the NNPC should be the organization collecting foreign exchange realized from the sale of the nation’s crude oil. It appears the CBN outsourced its responsibility to NNPC several years ago, as part of a grand ploy to put the nation in a perpetual state of underdevelopment. Who checks the activities of NNPC when the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources is the chairman of the board of directors? What about the oversight function of the National Assembly over NNPC activities?
While celebrating the 57th Independence Anniversary, Mr President reminded the nation about his stance on corruption in his speech. Hear him: “I call on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn. By not asking for and refusing to accept a bribe, by reporting unethical practices or by blowing a whistle, together we can beat corruption. The government for its part will work for accountability at all levels- federal, state and local governments. Change will then be real.” Mr President agrees that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task. “We expect corrupt elements to use any weapon to fight back, mainly judicial obstruction and political diversion. But we are determined to eradicate corruption from our body politic.” Hmm, good talk!
In spite of these reassuring words, Nigerians are demanding that Mr President should not to shield all those involved in the NNPC scam. Some critics say that “Mr President’s integrity and legacy are at stake if measures are not taken immediately by the Executive arm of the government to probe the scam. The inappropriateness displayed by Maikanti Baru is of concern to most Nigerians at a time when the nation is just stepping out of recession with a double-digit inflation. I see a failure of corporate governance in the NNPC, and steps must be taken to correct this irregularity.

MA Johnson