Kemi Adeosun: Inherent Systemic Challenges

Kemi Adeosun: Inherent Systemic Challenges 

Since the news surrounding Kemi Adeosun's NYSC discharge certificate broke, I decided to reserve my comments until hearing from the horse's mouth. It’s wiser to hear all sides before excoriating. In her own words, Kemi Adeosun stated:

"Upon enquiry as to my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding. 

On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those I thought were trusted associates, NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. 

Having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine."

Understandably, her prolonged reticence may have irked some members of the public, especially those who have some gripe with the Buhari administration. 

This episode became the lifeline some anti-government traducers clung on to discredit the Buhari government. Sorry to burst your bubble, but this issue is beyond the current administration. It’s a shambolic systemic issue with predictable casualties.

At this juncture, it has to be emphasised that the document in question is not an academic degree certificate but the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemptions certificate. So the pith of the issue is not about her academic qualification or about her performance. Some positives during her tenure include the full implementation of Treasury Single Account (TSA), exiting economic recession, whistle-blower policy, Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), improving tax revenues and blocking leakages, especially the exposure of thousands of ‘ghost workers’ on the government’s payroll.

The crux of the issue is how she obtained her NYSC certificate after relocating from the UK to Nigeria. However, what I have been trying to figure out is why anyone would forge their NYSC certificate then confidently present it to government for screening on numerous occasions?
This highlights the culpability of various public officials within the system. The matter becomes more worrisome because Kemi Adeosun had previously been cleared for service by various arms of government, including the National Assembly and Department of State Services (DSS).

Accepted, there are many absurd cases in our milieu, especially cases of public officials with questionable credentials. Even Diezani Allison - Madueke got some flak about her NYSC service. However, she got an exemption certificate dated June 25, 2007, and was curiously appointed a minister July 26, 2007.

So I find deliberately faking the NYSC exemption certificate utterly ridiculous!

The irony of this peculiar case is that the NYSC confirmed Kemi Adeosun applied for the exemption certificate. So it really makes you wonder.

A Diaspora perspective on this issue is very important because some people abroad are genuinely concerned about the whole situation. Those who wish to return to Nigeria must not be deterred, but take their time understanding a complicated system. More importantly, avoid being heavily reliant on compromised individuals that thrive on corruption, especially those used to cutting corners.

Beyond the intrigues of this particular case, the criticality of system cleansing is paramount. There are a few possible scenarios when obtaining an official document from a government agency, but I will use a typical example.

Imagine if you paid the appropriate government authority for an official document, then you receive the document without any suspicion and carry on with your life as normal. Some years down the line, you are informed that the document you legitimately paid for is a fake. The first thing that should cross any sane mind is how this is even possible, considering the appropriate authority was paid for the document. The next line of action is to look for some proof of payment. 

So if I legally paid for an official document, but what I received is being labelled a fake, what exactly is my crime? After all, I didn't make the document! 

Ideally, the onus should be on the government agency in question. The authorities should be explaining why my money is in their coffer and I have a fake document in my possession. This is a contractual agreement not fulfilled - a reneged quid pro quo! In legal terms, a case can be established if there's actual evidence of payment to the designated government agency. 

However, this is Nigeria and things aren't so straightforward. Within numerous government agencies are individuals without scruples - those with criminal intent from top to bottom! Due to deep-rooted systemic loopholes, even government issued receipts can be faked. 

This is why I often advise people to document their transactions. I try to keep receipts of important things I purchase. I even take pictures or scan for storage, and if the e-receipt option is available, I swiftly provide my email address. This documentary evidence may be your saving grace when any transaction related contretemps arises. 

On a broader scale, this issue further highlights the importance of a cashless policy regarding government revenues. The government is losing a lot of revenues, particularly through cash handling by supposed government officials. I used 'supposed' because some of those saddled with the responsibility of collecting official remittances will gladly short-change the government. These egregious fellows often operate like crime rings. In tackling such organised crime, the importance of deploying advanced systems for revenue generating agencies can't be overstated. 

Due to inherent systemic loopholes, many government agencies are gravely affected. Tenement, market and transportation levies are a few examples of money going into private hands. Little wonder why some public officials live large!

I was once in a London taxi and the driver asked me about my background, to which I replied, Nigeria. He exclaims, Nigeria! He narrated watching a fascinating BBC documentary about the ostentatious lifestyle of a popular transport union worker in Nigeria. I wasn’t as enthused as he was about the documentary. So I am sitting in the cab ruminating about Nigeria and wondering if this cabby realises there shouldn’t be a nexus between a public official and such an extravagant lifestyle. I couldn’t help but think that if Nigeria had robust revenue systems in place at all levels, there wouldn't be any free money to be shared by personnel of such government agencies. 

On another occasion, I was travelling from Abuja to Lagos with excess baggage. I was told to pay a certain amount based on the weight of my luggage, which I did. Later, I discovered the amount on the receipt I was issued was much less than the amount I paid. I was fatigued and had boarded the plane before realising the discrepancy. That was not an isolated incident, but one of many rackets.

There was another incident where a law-abiding friend of mine was delayed by FRSC officials for possessing a fake driver's licence. Though a receipt of payment was later presented to prove innocence, the official stated the receipt was a fake. The official further highlighted the challenges faced from within the organisation.

I know people who have faced similar encounters with vehicle inspection officials about vehicle registration papers or plate numbers.
Generally, there’s a situation where many law-abiding citizens are making the effort to pay appropriate government agencies, but are unknowingly issued with fake documents. The prevalence of such rackets is another dimension to the 'authority stealing' Fela Kuti sang about. 

For example, before Prof. Ishaq Oloyede became Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the agency was only able to remit N52million to the Federal Government in about 40 years. It was revealed that JAMB generated N31billion between 2011 and 2015, but only remitted 15million.
However, since taking over in 2016, Oloyede has been able to generate impressive revenues. In 2017, JAMB generated revenues of N12billion and remitted N7.8billion to the government’s treasury. This spectacular feat has occurred two years in a row: meaning a total of N15.6billion has been remitted to the national treasury. Hitherto, official inexactitude was rife and the public were once regaled with ludicrous tales of 'snakes' disappearing with government funds. 

A similar feat was achieved in the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), under the leadership of Col. Hameed Ali. The customs service improved its revenue base and declared its highest ever revenue with over a trillion naira in 2017. Apart from the obvious change in leadership, the implementation of the Nigerian Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS) assisted in blocking revenue leakages. 

Sadly, such advanced revenue systems have not been appropriately implemented across all the agencies within the three tiers of government. So it is very easy for corrupt government personnel to capitalise on such loopholes. 

In essence, some greater good can emerge from this certificate episode. I give kudos to investigative journalism, in particular Premium Times. However, this is not the time to gloat. I will suggest the dragnet is widened for a comprehensive investigation into the credentials of all public officials, including the exposure of reprobates within the system who extort those with dubious documents. 

The government on its part can institute a document verification exercise to audit all public officials. Whilst hoping those saddled with such verification responsibilities aren't in possession of questionable documentation themselves, such an exhaustive exercise has become a necessity. As shocking as the revelations may be, the system urgently needs to be sanitised. 

Finally, I will advise everyone endeavours to verify all officially issued documents in their possession. 

© M.B.O

2018

Email: m.b.o.owolowo@gmail.com