Date Published: 01/10/10

Dear Sir,

I now agree with CBN Governor Sanusi

When Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Lamido Sanusi, uttered in the media that if one should consider the type of atrocities committed by the disgraced bank chief executives, they were worthy to be executed; I thought he was going too far. But with the present revelations, I think Sanusi is right. These corrupt practices are not limited to the banking industry but include some past and sitting political leaders especially the State governors. They continue to loot the State treasuries with recklessness and living unworthy life-styles.

As I was reading the newspapers last week, I came across so many corrupt enrichments against the former chief executives of the Intercontinental Bank and (particularly) the Oceanic Bank, among others. I was pieced off with the past activities of Mrs. Cecilia Ibru who corruptly acquired properties - 20 in Dubai and 18 in USA. Furthermore the EFCC alleged that she received N29billion (as rent) per annum from the bank; as it was revealed that most of the buildings occupied by the bank belonged to her. This rape of the banking industry is still being practiced by some sitting banks’ Chief Executives. Some connive with some political leaders in the looting sprees.

Yet some of these people are seen in churches and mosques as prayer warriors, preachers and ‘near-to-God’ kind of persons. Some governors go about getting anointing from supposed men of God, shrines and traditional rulers, believing that with that they were sure to elections. Some even publicize praying for Nigeria and turn out to be the most media hyped. I do not want to believe that Nigeria is cursed. But God cannot come down to help us as He has given us the freedom to make or mar. 

The lifestyles of these corrupt persons continue to threaten our youths who are the future leaders. As the youths watch, they tend to look at the crooks as role models. I think for Nigeria to move forward, we need proper reorientation and possibly if the bad trend continues, a revolution as many have advocated. 

Chief Pius Umukoro, Effurum Road, WARRI, Delta State