Writing the Struggle – Endorsing
corruption in Africa
Africa’s struggle today is and should be against corruption if, at all, the continent is to create a sustainable environment for progress and success. But the situation on the ground today, just as it was then when CHINUA ACHEBE wrote his book ‘No Longer at Ease’ in 1960, does not look any promising. We have, writes WONDER GUCHU, endorsed corruption in all its forms
Nigeria got its independence in 1960, the same year Chinua Achebe wrote his second book ‘No Longer at Ease’, which some people say is a sequel to ‘Things Fall Apart’.
Of the three books in the trilogy that marks Achebe’s earliest works, ‘No Longer at Ease’, tackles the birth of corruption involving a young educated man, Obi.
Typically of African tradition, Obi’s village community raises money to send him to England for studies so that when he returns, he would help them.
Obi goes and returns home but his expectations as an educated Nigerian who has been abroad are higher than what he finds on the ground.
His people, led by the Umuofia Progressive Union, have much trust in him believing that his work as a civil servant would enable him to repay the community which would in return, enable them to send more young people to school.
But civil servants are among the least paid and Obi finds himself under these circumstances.
Still his community expects him to do what everybody else is doing – engage in corrupt activities to repay the debt and uplift his people.
This, however, is not Obi’s plan of raising money. His educational background does not allow him to be corrupt. This was the first difference between his community and Obi.
Determined to remain straightforward, Obi manages to pay-off the community debt, send his brother to school as well as look after his parents.
But it was not long after Obi finds out that what his society expects of him cannot be sustained by the civil service money. The burden of paying off the debt and looking after his family weighs him down heavily.
The first temptation for a bribe comes from Mr Mark who asks Obi to organise for his sister, Elsie, to appear before the Scholarship Board. When he turns this down, Mr Mark’s sister Elsie offers sex for her to be allowed to appear before the Scholarship Board. Again Obi turns her down.
This does not mean that Obi had no use for the money. He had just bought a ring for his girlfriend Clara and then his mother had fallen ill. Then his bank was after an outstanding loan he took to insure his car.
Although he does not want Clara’s help of £50, Obi has no choice but to take money, which, as fate would have it, gets stolen when thieves break into his car while they are clubbing.
To top it all, Obi’s family is not happy with Clara who comes from a family of Osu – a lower Nigerian caste. As if that was not trouble enough, Clara falls pregnant. They agree on abortion and Obi has to borrow money for this. Then the abortion does not go well – Clara has an infection. That means more money yet the pocket is dry.
One would sympathise with Obi and justify his action. But fact is, he lived for the people. He wanted them to see how different and educated he was. In the process, he lived beyond his means.
This is one of the causes of corruption – living beyond one’s means. In this narrative, Achebe illustrates how the educated young people fall into traps when they are supposed to lead by example.
He is also illustrating that corruption is pushed by our societies, which expect their children to live large just to show that they have an education.
In a way, this is how corruption is endorsed, accepted and promoted.
Nigeria got its independence in 1960, the same year Chinua Achebe wrote his second book ‘No Longer at Ease’, which some people say is a sequel to ‘Things Fall Apart’.
Of the three books in the trilogy that marks Achebe’s earliest works, ‘No Longer at Ease’, tackles the birth of corruption involving a young educated man, Obi.
Typically of African tradition, Obi’s village community raises money to send him to England for studies so that when he returns, he would help them.
Obi goes and returns home but his expectations as an educated Nigerian who has been abroad are higher than what he finds on the ground.
His people, led by the Umuofia Progressive Union, have much trust in him believing that his work as a civil servant would enable him to repay the community which would in return, enable them to send more young people to school.
But civil servants are among the least paid and Obi finds himself under these circumstances.
Still his community expects him to do what everybody else is doing – engage in corrupt activities to repay the debt and uplift his people.
This, however, is not Obi’s plan of raising money. His educational background does not allow him to be corrupt. This was the first difference between his community and Obi.
Determined to remain straightforward, Obi manages to pay-off the community debt, send his brother to school as well as look after his parents.
But it was not long after Obi finds out that what his society expects of him cannot be sustained by the civil service money. The burden of paying off the debt and looking after his family weighs him down heavily.
The first temptation for a bribe comes from Mr Mark who asks Obi to organise for his sister, Elsie, to appear before the Scholarship Board. When he turns this down, Mr Mark’s sister Elsie offers sex for her to be allowed to appear before the Scholarship Board. Again Obi turns her down.
This does not mean that Obi had no use for the money. He had just bought a ring for his girlfriend Clara and then his mother had fallen ill. Then his bank was after an outstanding loan he took to insure his car.
Although he does not want Clara’s help of £50, Obi has no choice but to take money, which, as fate would have it, gets stolen when thieves break into his car while they are clubbing.
To top it all, Obi’s family is not happy with Clara who comes from a family of Osu – a lower Nigerian caste. As if that was not trouble enough, Clara falls pregnant. They agree on abortion and Obi has to borrow money for this. Then the abortion does not go well – Clara has an infection. That means more money yet the pocket is dry.
One would sympathise with Obi and justify his action. But fact is, he lived for the people. He wanted them to see how different and educated he was. In the process, he lived beyond his means.
This is one of the causes of corruption – living beyond one’s means. In this narrative, Achebe illustrates how the educated young people fall into traps when they are supposed to lead by example.
He is also illustrating that corruption is pushed by our societies, which expect their children to live large just to show that they have an education.
In a way, this is how corruption is endorsed, accepted and promoted.
