Onojah advocates stiffer punishment, death penalty for high profile corruption in Nigeria

…Calls for holistic tax education

Emmanuel Eneche Onojah, a university don, has advocated for stiffer punishments, including death penalty for those found guilty of high-profile corruption to engender accountability and transparency in the body polity, saying that consensus on corruption is that it is the bane of growth and development in Nigeria.

Onojah made the suggestion while delivering his inaugural lecture titled, ‘Accountability, Sustainability and Social Justice: A Catalyst for Nation Building’ held at the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State.

Onojah, a professor of Acco’unting, equally disclosed that he was convinced to suggest capital punishment as a way out of the national problems, as it was generally agreed that corruption has been the clog that has held down the growth and development of Nigeria and its people, adding that if stiffer punishment is not meted out to corruption enthusiasts, Nigeria, would continue to live in circles without movement to growth and prosperity.

He pointed out that his choice for the title ‘Accounting and sustainability and social justice is informed by the centrality of Accountability in the effective, efficient and participatory nation building, stressing that without it society might withhold legitimacy from Government that shrouded its activities in secrecy and corruption, as he acknowledged that citizens’ support for the government are trust placed on the country to deliver the proceeds of democracy the government must be accountable and transparent in all her dealings with the populace, which extends beyond choosing leaders through periodic elections to holding the leaders in checks.

Onojah equally urged stakeholders including Non-Governmental Organisation to be vigilant, vocal and ready to demand from government at all levels for effectiveness, efficiency and economy in the utilisation of resources, adding that accountability would ensure that government s and institutions must be transparent and responsible for their actions to foster trust among citizens.

He equally pointed out that when leaders are held accountable, they are more likely to make decisions that prioritise well-being of the citizenry, stressing that when the leaders know that their actions are being scrutinised, they will be responsible in resources allocation and management and ensure that development meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meeting their even as God Almighty demands accountability here and in the last days.

He noted that social justice underscores the importance of fairness and equity in the distribution of resources and opportunities to address inequalities and empower marginalised groups and foster social cohesion and strengthen social values into national policies, adding that it is by upholding national

values and ethos that forms the framework that ignites a just society, encourages civic engagement and integrates economic and social values into national policies in order to build a strong foundation for long term development and stability of the nation.

Onoja, disclosed that some countries such as China, Sweden, Norway; Costa Rica and Finland had institutionalized accountability; sustainability and social justice into their National Development Agenda with stringent penalty for infractions, that has seen their rapid growth and development even as Nigeria should domestic these values into the body polity to enhance growth and development, stressing that not only the

establishment of anti-corruption agencies, such as EFCC and ICPC that is solution but strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws to reduce graft and enhance public trust.

He equally pointed out that while efficient tax administration is sine qua non for the government to meets her responsibilities to the people, advised for a holistic tax education for the citizens to be abreast with the new technologies adopted in generating revenues.

Olayemi Akinwumi, the Vice Chancellor, in his remarks, commended the lecturers for their passion and commitments to delivery of inaugural lectures, pointing out that 21 lecturers have delivered their inaugural lectures under his watch, as he encouraged them to keep the tradition flying for the academic growth and development of the institution.