1.0 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Corruption is unquestionably not a new issue, nor is it exclusive to any nation, area, or ethnic group. It affects every aspect of society, including education, health, family, religion, the economy, and politics. Corruption has existed in complex cultures for centuries. Corruption cuts across faiths, religious denominations, and political systems, as Lipset and Lenz (2014) show out. It may be found in all political systems, including democratic, totalitarian, feudal, capitalist, and socialist ones. History has proven that while corruption was common under Nigeria's First Republic, it was kept under control, and cases of corruption were occasionally sparked by political squabbles. Olufayo (2013) claims that the petroleum business is to blame for the emergence of corruption in Nigeria in the 1980s. As a result, corruption cannot be over-flogged in the Nigerian academic community, given that there is no long-term solution to the problem's menace; it continues to be a social issue that necessitates unending effort in deciphering corrupt practices through constant investigation in order to provide a long-term solution. Despite these efforts, corruption continues to exist in practically every aspect of Nigerian life. Adefolaju (2012) points out that, despite the abundance of natural and human resources in Nigeria, corruption has eaten enormously into the country's basis. The availability of these natural resources, which have yet to be fully exploited, indicates that Nigeria is not a poor country and that Nigerians can live comfortably above the poverty line. Millions of Nigerians have been deprived of the money generated by this natural resource due to corruption in the oil business. The elites and capitalists in Nigeria are the only ones who benefit from oil income profits. The oil subsidy was just eliminated, almost causing a revolution in the country. The expulsion was prompted by the leadership's aim to rid the oil sector of corruption. Despite the revenue generated by Nigeria's natural resources, the country continues to fall behind in terms of development, both physical and human. In Yusuf (2012), the late Julius Nyerere defined development as "a process that allows human beings to realize their potential, establish self-confidence, and live lives of dignity and fulfillment." It is a procedure that liberates individuals from the fear of hunger and exploitation.” This concept of growth is impossible to realize in a society where people rely on corruption to make ends meet. According to Agbakoba (2015), nearly 20 million Nigerians do not have access to safe drinking water. According to WHO/UNICEF (2013), Nigeria is not making rapid progress toward meeting the MDGs 7 target of halving the proportion of people unable to afford safe drinking water and sanitation, with 52 percent of the Nigerian population lacking access to water and 56 percent lacking access to basic sanitation facilities. Why is corruption so pervasive in Nigeria, one could wonder? Why is it so difficult to combat the corruption virus that has infected practically everyone in society? What do young people believe about corruption and how do they deal with it? In Nigerian society, what types of corruption exist? What impact does corruption have on Nigeria's development? What is the best course of action? These are the questions that our research aims to answer. According to the Nigeria Survey and Corruption Survey Study, Final Report (2013), the indigenous people desired the colonists' success in terms of the flashing automobiles they drove and the houses they resided in, therefore they tried to emulate them in gaining property. During this time, however, these properties were regarded as colonists' property, therefore looting and vandalism of public property were not deemed crimes. In modern Nigerian society, the desire to amass wealth, property, and vandalism still exists. A government facility, for example, may be set on fire unexpectedly to escape an investigation into corrupt practices. According to the Nigeria Survey and Corruption Survey Study, Final Report (2013), a number of government buildings inexplicably caught fire after investigators began looking into the finances of the individuals working there. Several academics have recognized various causes of corruption in developing countries, including Nigeria. Dike (2017) suggested in Africa Economic Analysis that people's political and cultural systems can render them vulnerable to corruption. While Bryce (2017) listed the following factors as contributing to corruption in emerging countries such as Nigeria. Huge disparities in wealth distribution, prioritizing political offices as the primary means of gaining quick access to wealth, the conflict that arises between changing moral codes, the weakness of social and governmental enforcement mechanisms, and the lack of a strong sense of national community are all examples of such factors. Also aggravating the practice of corruption in Nigeria, according to Ndiulor (2011), is the pursuit for materialism, the desire for a shortcut to privileged circumstances and material accumulation, showy lifestyle, and eye-catching extravagance. The great celebration of positions in Nigeria has an impact on the way individuals live in the society. Lack of honesty in modern Nigerian culture has become a source of concern because it affects both the young and the old. Ethical norms are lacking in all government bodies as well as private entities in Nigeria. This continues to be a major setback for Nigerians. He went on to say that ethics is action, the way principles are lived out, and a guiding principle that should be followed while making judgments. However, ethical issues receive little attention in Nigeria, where many office holders do not always evaluate the moral ramifications of their actions since self-interest and the accumulation of property have obscured their moral reasoning. In fact, many who engage in this behavior are no longer shocked by it, but viewing it as a clever way to outdo others in exploiting them. It is also a well-known reality that political leaders are disgustingly involved in political corruption, which is wreaking havoc on the nation's socio-economic progress and the welfare of Nigerians. Corruption is difficult to prevent in Nigeria because familial, cultural, and religious values have all but vanished as a result of wealth accumulation that is beyond the authority of individuals and even the government through property taxation. According to Lotterman (2016), when a country's rules and taxing system fail to keep track of its residents' financial transactions, corruption is inevitable. The continuation of corruption, as well as the reality that the majority of people, particularly youths who are supposed to be fighting corruption, appear to be complicit, serve as driving factors for this research study.

Our youths are without a doubt the nation's future leaders, and corruption is a lethal threat in our society. As a result, our youths must imbibe the culture of integrity, transparency, accountability, service delivery, and good governance to help the country escape the ills of corruption and avoid remaining at the bottom of the human progress and development ladder. Nigeria is no longer a mystery that it is one of the world's most corrupt countries, according to Transparency International. Such a position has resulted in a constant threat of aggression from well-intentioned Nigerians, and it is certain that the nation will face great danger in its socio-economic life until the crushing burden of corrupt armaments throughout the country is wiped out and replaced with anti-graft arsenals. The country has been tarnished by corruption, and this social tension and upheavals, which have grown chronic, cannot be overcome remotely. Youths are needed to keep the country safe and bring light into the dark ages that have kept our country from progressing in the international community. The notion of corruption has been assigned numerous meanings by various erudite scholars all over the world, yet corruption has defied a single clinical definition due to its universality of applicability. The Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2014 defines corruption as bribery, fraud, and other related offenses, according to Section (2). Corruption, according to the Asian Development Bank, is described as "behaviors on the part of officials in the public and private sectors that inappropriately and unlawfully benefit themselves or convince others to do so by misusing the position in which they are put." The corruption situation is significantly more complicated than we realize... pleasure, embezzlement, indiscipline, bribery, fraud, monopoly, favoritism, discretion, etc. All of these things, as well as many others, are referred to as corruption. Corruption is a severe threat to society's stability and security, eroding democratic institutions and principles, ethical values, and justice, and compromising long-term development and the rule of law. The society is powerless, and the whole fabric of development and progress is in jeopardy. According to Mrs. Okwong (2019), the impact of corruption on society produces fertile ground for lack of transparency and willful misuse of power. As the "smart" and the "crooks" in society dominate influential positions and further saturate the system with unqualified, incompetent, and dubious cronies and relations, government business is conducted as "business as usual." Money exchanges hands with ignominy as the "smart" and the "crooks" in society dominate influential positions and further saturate the system with unqualified, incompetent, and dubious cronies and relations. As a result, in order for youngsters to tackle this fatal illness, they must first grasp its causes and how to combat it. Mrs. Okwong believes that greed and avarice, perverted society values, wide discretionary powers, a weak law enforcement system, insufficient remuneration of employees or workers, a lack of true fear of God, and insensitivity on the part of our leaders are all aspects that contribute to corruption. In light of this grim backdrop, the search for a corrupt-free society must begin with oneself. One must be disciplined in their actions, possess self-control, and have a fear of God. Furthermore, an individual can avoid corruption by practicing integrity, dealing fairly, exercising personal resistance even when opportunities to engage in corruption exist, seeking justice through nonviolent means, spreading the message, monitoring integrity through constant vigilance, and reporting corruption to appropriate agencies. Manual & Training Guide on Anti-Corruption Preventative and punitive measures can be taken to combat corruption. Preventive measures include institutionalizing anti-corruption policies and practices in public institutions, establishing a preventive anti-corruption unit or section within organizations to promote internal monitoring or cleansing, public procurement, and public enlightenment. Finally, youths are charged with taking constructive anti-corruption initiatives and ensuring a participative strategy to combating the corruption threat in Nigeria holistically. Furthermore, youngsters should serve as good ambassadors for integrity, transparency, accountability, and good governance in order to promote meaningful and long-term development in the country and to eliminate poverty, hunger, unemployment, and the futility of ethnic and religious bigotry. Therefore the study centers on the knowledge and perception of youths towards corruption fighting in karu council Area.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In Nigeria, corruption is a cankerworm. It is one of the most serious societal issues impeding the country's progress. According to the International Encyclopedia (2014:23), the idea of corruption has become a way of life, and it is now considered one of the most extensively distributed and dangerous problems in modern times. Furthermore, corruption is frequently mentioned as a historical illness that has afflicted societies. All bureaucratic organizations, both public and private, are plagued with corruption. Although, in most developing nations where corruption has established a foothold, such as Nigeria, it is being reduced by forming agencies that directly combat it, it is in this light that I have decided to write about this long-term social issue and assess youth perception and knowledge on fighting corruption. It is evident that we have grossly overestimated the scope of the corruption problem. This is due to the nature and quantity of various deceptive behaviors and other factors. Another significant claim it makes is on our financial and economic encroachment, as well as our country's living standards. Corruption is a problem that exists at practically every level of society. The low-paid civil official has little or no spare income to deal with some of his issues, leading him to become involved in corruption. Therefore the study centers on the knowledge and perception of youths towards corruption fighting in karu council Area.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and perception of youths towards corruption fighting in karu council Area

1)To assess the level of  knowledge of youths towards corruption fighting

2) To examine the consequences and causes of corruption in Karu council Area

3) To examine youth involvement in the anti-corruption project in Nigeria

4) To Examine Factors Of Success Of The Involvement Of Youths In Fight Against Corruption

5) To recommend ways of improving the fight against corruption through youth involvement

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1) What is level of knowledge of youths towards corruption fighting?

2) What are the consequences and causes of corruption in Karu council Area?

3) What is youth involvement in the anti-corruption project in Nigeria?

4) What are the Factors of Success of the Involvement of Youths in Fight against Corruption?

5) What are ways of improving the fight against corruption through youth involvement?

1.5 HYPOTHESES

Hypothesis 1

HO: The knowledge and perception of youths towards anti-corruption has no significant influence on the fight of corruption in Karu

H1: The knowledge and perception of youths towards anti-corruption has a significant influence on the fight of corruption in Karu

Hypothesis 2:

HO: Youths knowledge and perception towards corruption do not play a significant role on the fight against corruption

H1: Youths knowledge and perception towards corruption play a significant role on the fight against corruption

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is crucial because the topic is important for reorienting Nigeria to a new value system, which is necessary for our welfare and progress. More importantly, uncovering the possible roots of corruption, the nature of corrupt activities, and so on for a long-term solution to the problems will allow the problem to be effectively addressed sooner. It is also intended that towards the end of the study, people will try to improve their attitudes regarding corruption. The goal of the study is to encourage long-term development and good governance, as well as to make the battle against corruption easier. The study will also look at how public accountability and transparency might help to reduce corruption in the long run.

1.7 TITLE OF THE STUDY

The Title of the Study Is the knowledge and perception of youths towards corruption fighting in karu council Area

1.8 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study would cover the knowledge and perception of youths towards corruption fighting in karu council Area. The researcher was faced with the following constraints in carrying out this study:

Time: The time within the researcher is too short to carry on the detail study on this topic.

Resources: Another constraint of the researcher is financial resources to carry on the detail study of this topic. Data: Another limitation to this study will be lack of data to make valid study on the research problem.

1.9ORGANIZATION OF THE PROJECT REPORT

The present report is divided into five chapters. First chapter gives the introduction and the background of the study

Second chapter has attempted to review relevant literature. The essence of literature review is to ascertain the relevance of major contributions in an area of study and also provide indications about existing gaps that need to be filled.

Third chapter deals with the methodology and procedure used in this study. Fourth chapter deals with the analysis of data and presentation of the study which evaluates the data collected keeping in mind the set objectives. Fifth chapter deals with conclusions and suggestions which are derived from this study. And an appendix at the end

1.10 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

CORRUPTION: Corruption, as it is defined by the World Bank, is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense which is undertaken by a person or an organization which is entrusted with a position of authority, in order to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's private gain

ANTI-CORRUPTION: Anti-corruption comprises activities that oppose or inhibit corruption. Just as corruption takes many forms, anti-corruption efforts vary in scope and in strategy. A general distinction between preventive and reactive measures is sometimes draw

KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge is a familiarity, awareness, or understanding of someone or something, such as facts, skills, or objects. By most accounts, knowledge can be acquired in many different ways and from many sources, including but not limited to perception, reason, memory, testimony, scientific inquiry, education, and practice

YOUTH: Youth is the time of life when one is young, and often means the time between childhood and adulthood. It is also defined as "the appearance, freshness, vigor, spirit, etc., characteristic of one who is young".

PERCEPTION: Perception is the organization, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the presented information or environment. All perception involves signals that go through the nervous system, which in turn result from physical or chemical stimulation of the sensory system.

EFCC: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as advance fee fraud and money laundering

CSO: civil society organization