A BLEEDING NATION - CHAPTER 12: CORRUPTION WITHOUT SHAME

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRLqya2A5v

Chapter 12: Corruption Without Shame

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRTRwXvcw2

«African Proverb: "The fish begins to rot from the head."»

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNrJ354Olq

«Yoruba Proverb: "When a child watches his father steal and celebrate, he learns that theft is success."»

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAndVsmFslv

«Another Proverb: "A nation does not collapse when corruption appears; it collapses when corruption is celebrated."»

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJB6hXrDU3

The greatest danger facing a nation is not corruption.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwgQSrDT34

The greatest danger is when corruption becomes normal.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3NOf9LDfi

When people no longer feel ashamed.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUrGdZJ8TN

When wrong becomes right.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluHRZE2cPW

When honesty becomes foolishness.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vminsWmcy

When thieves become heroes.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFrl2WICaZ

That was the disease slowly eating away at the nation.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwuLNPRyDR

Like termites hidden inside a wooden house.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSPWLM3Hpn

Silent.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjN8Hv4DSa

Patient.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVibH5wsjkO

Destructive.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPetGRXAFs

Daniel realized this one afternoon while visiting a government office.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4a5U0QgZL

The building was crowded.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b9zRALEfz

People waited in long lines under the hot sun.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHpZYcevd6

Some had traveled for hours.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D2ZMidvW3

Others had traveled for days.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERHcFQLhF6

They came seeking services that should have taken only minutes.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccdSK1i5hE

Yet nothing moved.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydFCYrK0U4

Nothing happened.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpCIfMXJ58

Nothing changed.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVDgLz1IXX

Hours passed.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuSfPOsi6Q

Frustration grew.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmwpqGv6aA

Then Daniel noticed something.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsSZTglamK

A man arrived.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZsVkDTcds

He walked directly past the line.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHOKaB3qjx

He entered an office.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq8yikzkhN

A few minutes later, he emerged smiling.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60MsqTnmeI

His documents had been approved.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwI5t7OwKY

His work was complete.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IPyfq1BQT

His problem was solved.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCgHUvLMVO

The hundreds of people waiting outside remained where they were.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bvH53iNA3

Confused.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfjaBNLmyV

Angry.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2ZUKyZv72

Powerless.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvMIxnciCv

Daniel approached one of the workers.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXIzXzIrlv

"How did he finish so quickly?"

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolH1FvwZ2X

The worker smiled knowingly.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifRyAXSK12

"He understands the system."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMQ8mLox6P

Daniel understood exactly what that meant.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcHH1PtuEp

Money.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQo1MKQbFN

A bribe.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp24LzAInYK

The unofficial language of corruption.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ul2ehb7HS

The language many institutions spoke fluently.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YGUofcGWF

---

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkYydwo75Y

Later that evening, Daniel sat with Hassan in a small restaurant.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoB9bmDrHk

Rain tapped softly against the windows.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0XBpM35TO

The journalist looked exhausted.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqW1AFqdgu

Months of investigations had revealed painful truths.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1dLdEjdYy

"What troubles me most," Hassan said, "is not the corruption itself."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVDJpRxvF2

"What is it then?" Daniel asked.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JDyTFfxQQ

"The celebration of corruption."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeybFuVA4wh

Daniel remained silent.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPSuq1FZv4

Hassan continued.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJddJ69Q4HM

"When a corrupt politician arrives in a village, people rush to greet him."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwbpIojb3T

"When a thief builds a mansion, people praise his success."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSx0sldo3ez

"When stolen wealth is displayed, many admire it."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi58boL6Jff

The words stung because they were true.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sukOEeevv

Somewhere along the way, society had confused wealth with integrity.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjFltPrrLv

People rarely asked how riches were acquired.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe5qdKlhGJ

They only admired the result.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcyJKGcNKA

The expensive cars.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JU1TXzuVJ

The large houses.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeYPS5VPiv

The luxury lifestyle.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjfPO9ra2q

Nobody questioned the source.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQaaTLO2A6

And because nobody questioned it, corruption flourished.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BvCKBb5Nz

---

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvW5saKdnw

Several weeks later, a major scandal shook the country.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg9Xj4H1L7

Billions meant for public projects had disappeared.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLqsASneDz

The money was supposed to improve schools.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47IK16BqRI

Build hospitals.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmbtpW9ETn

Repair roads.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D73B2sfDX

Support farmers.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3NTVbCwEt

Instead, it vanished.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL20eHKBXdS

The investigation revealed shocking details.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9TOv5LXID

Powerful individuals were involved.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFCutdKbbP

Government officials.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPNDBNcm8R

Business partners.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcE7ehpUOa

Political allies.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhJ6RbPYUm

The evidence was overwhelming.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaQXSdprrI

Citizens were outraged.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAd4HrHnG3

Radio stations discussed the scandal endlessly.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh50W3w4db

Television channels covered it daily.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAt1sQDKZv

Social media exploded with criticism.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiCUBymCHX

For a moment, it seemed justice might finally prevail.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A7GKxxKrM

But then something familiar happened.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2obW1YSro

The story faded.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyaNjqMTsO

The investigations slowed.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalTjx9MFkz

The arrests stopped.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01cL18TkMg

The headlines disappeared.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrb7uY5PE3

Life returned to normal.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQliwCvNkQI

The powerful remained powerful.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVC27sEmqu

The poor remained poor.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT97qJPUaKi

The nation continued bleeding.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5QWA9Q7ci

---

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkCGSJGvPS

One day, Daniel traveled to a rural community where a government school had supposedly received renovation funds.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkt3zv05Bj

The reality shocked him.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGNYt1Drz1

The classrooms were collapsing.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7TGTjPorq

The roof leaked during rainfall.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2evmXxMSKt

Students shared broken desks.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtTiSk9AaB

Teachers lacked basic materials.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4mGh9qQs6

Yet official records claimed the project had been completed successfully.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWjI8B7dhX

Daniel stood inside one of the classrooms.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJvcqS7LFW

A teacher pointed toward the ceiling.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04Zcg3n1eU

"When it rains, we stop teaching."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8ARaKHiUe

"Why?"

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR1X7UNPR0

"Because water falls directly into the classroom."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN3OmwDylZ

The teacher laughed bitterly.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKuruYFD1V

"According to government documents, this school is one of the best in the state."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwHJSE213r

Daniel looked around.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QnA8wONzR

There was nothing funny about the situation.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKZFiV5eOq

The laughter came from pain.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgxDSNdcr3

The kind of pain people develop when disappointment becomes routine.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdWz02mTGr

---

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VR3SEKo7v

That evening, he met an old farmer named Pa Ade.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsdmmc4wXc

The elderly man had spent his entire life working the land.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo70tzosFX

His face carried the wisdom of many decades.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwmohFRimR

After listening to Daniel's frustrations, the old man spoke quietly.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yUzh0BZEs

"My son, corruption is like a poisonous tree."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHrv3UTfez

Daniel listened carefully.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPvlYAmtLJ

"It begins with a small seed."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiMv8DFxO6

The old man picked up a dry leaf.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6rmbv9hgk

"Then it grows."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w41nSbcmw

He pointed toward the horizon.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq4sWzOEo6

"Soon its roots spread everywhere."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUooo6dQTF

He sighed deeply.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm8YvthK5q

"And before long, even good people begin eating its fruit."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZzp34Sv9B

The words lingered in Daniel's mind.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtXNKm6crU

Because corruption was no longer limited to politicians.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwizY0JyQe7

It had spread everywhere.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SZK2umQmS

Into institutions.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7abri2I4hv

Into businesses.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRDsx1HXBB

Into communities.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18azz7mGCn

Into everyday life.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw65B8eLdvO

People bribed officials.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uxtESWF7X

Officials demanded bribes.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnMwYStNS6

Contracts were manipulated.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBFYnxavy3

Examinations were compromised.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRC4fsNwc1

Justice was sold.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TXI7ppm8y

Integrity was abandoned.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPqWb23saw

The poison had spread.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcmUtKLCGm

---

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6abeQBmIB

Months passed.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSaslcenME

Daniel continued his investigations.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6TUkZoO4W

Every story revealed the same pattern.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKgUoC6BAl

Greed.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECFNNFvKVm

Self-interest.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FqRnMdoaj

Abuse of power.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2pZqmocYv

Yet something else troubled him.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzV3hIPhOR

Many people no longer seemed shocked.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9voEcVYbm

Corruption had become expected.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqSwg1G0Wi

Almost normal.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKopXYAGskT

A young graduate once told him:

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BeqyZsdnf

"If I get into government, I will take my share."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmJKHos7ho

Daniel stared at him.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ782tTLLiHO

"Why?"

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq45QDC4FX

"Because everyone else is doing it."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkP3iZTSUA

The answer frightened him.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6WWJC8TFy

Not because one young man believed it.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxKFqzvMVU

But because millions thought the same way.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmHGZThgqm

When corruption becomes a culture, fighting it becomes far more difficult.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8f44Yj3B8

---

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefAhKPmLqT

One night, Daniel sat outside with his father.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmz8o0TN6r

The old man listened carefully as his son described everything he had witnessed.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZRlvBUdYR

When Daniel finished, silence filled the air.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbgKrvU6nS

Finally, his father spoke.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKuVXLOwfM

"A nation dies long before its buildings collapse."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHewgEZRdiy

Daniel looked at him.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWtwQ8MfeA

"What do you mean?"

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XeXDKYqdX

The old man pointed toward his chest.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy29AArzQp

"A nation dies when conscience dies."

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oiQLOUFq3

The words struck deeply.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlDVtwPKxI

Because conscience was disappearing.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnIogsXHeM

People knew what was wrong.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3sTYLWBB3

Yet many ignored it.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6cy4IuMhq

People recognized injustice.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0frqozVlY

Yet many tolerated it.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1Z7timcvT

People condemned corruption.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3CzNYiOYv

Yet many participated in it when given the opportunity.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB56w39DAz

The disease had become both personal and national.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2tn8e0Dzj

---

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAMd1VNAzV

As darkness covered the city, Daniel stared toward the distant lights.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIjd97XULE

Somewhere, another contract was being manipulated.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9EZs31fv8

Somewhere, another public fund was being stolen.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSkpl8emII

Somewhere, another promise was being betrayed.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH0eh9kJRG

The cycle continued.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY0QZworxB

Endlessly.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ExkaOdiVR

Yet Daniel refused to surrender to hopelessness.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCrvqGbty7

Because he also knew another truth.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NKJAyesi4

Corruption survives in darkness.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoWBdFDR2U

But truth creates light.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV4I85lslc

And light has a way of exposing hidden things.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau9uDac7cj

No matter how deeply they are buried.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RJGJzhiQ9

The nation was bleeding.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ195kYpSZIL

Not only because money was stolen.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO7TOK3Bii

But because values were stolen.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1ZrqPHjqR

Integrity was stolen.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNl1iQkmbk

Trust was stolen.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYpcyD4ccJ

Hope was stolen.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv1FzuZbTM

And until honesty became more honorable than wealth, the wounds would remain open.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aqz9LJGsY

The road to healing would be long.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi9XyL7RW9

Painful.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSbIPCHIzV

Difficult.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIEYpVwcbF

But every journey begins with a single step.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uBJJncmmO

And perhaps the first step was simple.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvghmpeXR4i

To stop celebrating corruption.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXog29Bti8F

To stop admiring stolen wealth.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9w5r34fND

To stop rewarding dishonesty.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkNTP4mpGc

Because a nation cannot heal while it applauds the hands that wound it.

59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswBVZFctL7

And as Daniel looked into the darkness, he prayed that one day the people would remember that truth.59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DD0cDwVr7

ns216.73.217.139da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically