FINANCIAL MISAPPROPRIATION IN NGOs AND THE TACIT ABUSE OF POWER
Corruption has been a 'cankerworm' that has eaten deep in the fabric of the nation and measures taken towards curbing the menace, has always been greeted with a great sense of gratification on the part of everyone who assuage to building and/or restructuring the nation both economically and morally. The fight against corruption [especially financial misappropriation] seems to be an 'eternal' one that is not often without its controversies: there had always been claims that the bodies leading the fight, are usually biased in their operations. The controversies that are inherent with such fight however took a different dimension when it was discovered that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God had resigned due to an edict that was instigated by a certain Mr. Obazee, the erstwhile secretary of the Financial Reporting Council. The edict was said to have been targeted at the administration of non-governmental organizations with the stipulation that no executive head of any NGO should exceed the span of twenty (20) years. Nigerians react to this with missed feelings: some reeling at the 'absurdity' of this edict while others counted it as a good way of cleansing the putridity caused by the financial misappropriation [which is speculative- rather than justified most of the times] in NGOs. Inasmuch as the audit of the financial activities of NGOs by an authorized body might be a welcome development, attempting to directly influence the administrative formation of a body that is outside- though not above the law- the ambit of the government functionary, is one step too audacious and one that culminates into an abuse of power. Although Nigerians have always witnessed the abuse of power on our roads on daily basis and the decree [which has thus far been suspended] could be viewed as a microcosm of what is obtained in some quarters of authority. The business of whoever heads any NGO need not be undertaken by any federal body; this is even supported by the coinage of the umbrella name (NGO). The body (FRC) should have worked in consonance with its objectives and avoid dabbling into the administrative affairs of bodies that have their ownFINANCIAL MISAPPROPRIATION IN NGOs AND THE TACIT ABUSE OF POWER
Corruption has been a 'cankerworm' that has eaten deep in the fabric of the nation and measures taken towards curbing the menace, has always been greeted with a great sense of gratification on the part of everyone who assuage to building and/or restructuring the nation both economically and morally. The fight against corruption [especially financial misappropriation] seems to be an 'eternal' one that is not often without its controversies: there had always been claims that the bodies leading the fight, are usually biased in their operations. The controversies that are inherent with such fight however took a different dimension when it was discovered that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God had resigned due to an edict that was instigated by a certain Mr. Obazee, the erstwhile secretary of the Financial Reporting Council. The edict was said to have been targeted at the administration of non-governmental organizations with the stipulation that no executive head of any NGO should exceed the span of twenty (20) years. Nigerians react to this with missed feelings: some reeling at the 'absurdity' of this edict while others counted it as a good way of cleansing the putridity caused by the financial misappropriation [which is speculative- rather than justified most of the times] in NGOs. Inasmuch as the audit of the financial activities of NGOs by an authorized body might be a welcome development, attempting to directly influence the administrative formation of a body that is outside- though not above the law- the ambit of the government functionary, is one step too audacious and one that culminates into an abuse of power. Although Nigerians have always witnessed the abuse of power on our roads on daily basis and the decree [which has thus far been suspended] could be viewed as a microcosm of what is obtained in some quarters of authority. The business of whoever heads any NGO need not be undertaken by any federal body; this is even supported by the coinage of the umbrella name (NGO). The body (FRC) should have worked in consonance with its objectives and avoid dabbling into the administrative affairs of bodies that have their constitution in place...could they have forgotten that the agency was established in order to look into issues that border around financial spectrum and it is not incumbent on anyone therein to solely take it upon himself to determine how long the leadership of non-governmental organizations should last and also influence the choice of successor thereafter?
The consequences
The issuance of the edict did made the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian God step down as the one in charge of national administrative affairs, however, the greatest casualty of the decree is the man who was behind the formulation of the edict.
Furthermore, prior to the media, especially social media, being awashed with the name, Obazee; some Christian folks- though they failed or neglected the fact that Muslims and Charity organizations are also affected- had held the Federal Government responsible for the passing of the law which tends to put the church under its control. Thus, the dust of islamizing the nation arose again until news emerged that Mr. Obazee, a supposed christian was behind it all. Though, the news of sack calmed some fray nerves; some persons still hold their initial speculation dear. Certainly issues like this readily appeals to the fragility of religious discourse among the citizenry- but we need not draw conclusions hastily- and in this wise, those in position of authority should not throw caution to the wind when they are on the verge of implementing certain regulations. This whole drama that has unfolded could be a way of curtailing future events that could mar the already 'imbalance' state of the nation.
constitution in place...could they have forgotten that the agency was established in order to look into issues that border around financial spectrum and it is not incumbent on anyone therein to solely take it upon himself to determine how long the leadership of non-governmental organizations should last and also influence the choice of successor thereafter?
The consequences
The issuance of the edict did made the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian God step down as the one in charge of national administrative affairs, however, the greatest casualty of the decree is the man who was behind the formulation of the edict.
Furthermore, prior to the media, especially social media, being awashed with the name, Obazee; some Christian folks- though they failed or neglected the fact that Muslims and Charity organizations are also affected- had held the Federal Government responsible for the passing of the law which tends to put the church under its control. Thus, the dust of islamizing the nation arose again until news emerged that Mr. Obazee, a supposed christian was behind it all. Though, the news of sack calmed some fraying nerves; some persons still hold their initial speculation dear. Certainly issues like this readily appeals to the fragility of religious discourse among the citizenry- but we need not draw conclusions hastily- and in this wise, those in position of authority should not cast caution to the wind when they are on the verge of implementing certain regulations. This whole drama that has unfolded could be a way of curtailing future events that could mar the already 'imbalance' state of the nation.