By Prince Okafor

Lagos– The President Council, Institute of Criminal Justice and Criminology Administration, Dr. Gbadebo Bajowa, has said that, development of Nigeria’s sectors has been hampered by unethical practices, unbridled corruption, greed, unpleasant lifestyle and other unprofessional conducts.

Dr. Bajowa who is also the Chairman of the Council, disclosed this during the maiden induction ceremony of the institute, titled: “Enhancing general security variables in line with contemporary national security challenges” in Lagos.

According to him, “These developments have smeared the country’s image both locally and internationally, as well as been a source of worry for most Nigerians.”

He said that the state of criminal justice and criminology administration in the country has left so much to be desired and the Institute is not happy about this development.

“In order to move the nation to the desired level, the Institute is committed to working to correcting this anomaly with recourse to her enabling Act which empowers her to regulate and control the practice of the profession in all its ramifications in Nigeria.”

Bajowa  also said that as an emerging Institute which wants to make a forceful statement by making real and very visible difference, the institute intends to be in the forefront of re-orientating Nigerians on attitudinal change in order to develop highly effective and responsible citizenry.

He stressed that change can only evolve through people with the right mindset, education and proper orientation to redirect events that would re-shape the country.

“There is, therefore, need to cultivate strong cultural and ethical orientation in the youths from the grassroots in order to find a sustainable solution to the problem of self-inflicted underdevelopment and backwardness in our national life,” Bajowa stated.

He further stated that in as much as the Institute is committed to the reorientation of the nation, they will advocate the designing of a national curriculum to cover all levels of education where students are taught acceptable national code of ethical behaviour from primary to the tertiary level.

“It is important that emphasis is laid on honesty, good work ethics, respect for others, display of national consciousness, accountability, equity, fair play, good time management, good neighbourliness and above all equal society. These virtues should form part of the national re-orientation taught at all levels.”

As a professional, you are expected to show commitment in upholding the standards enshrined in the code.

“This will reflect credit not only to yourself and the organization you work for but also to the criminal justice and criminology administration profession and the Institute,” he said.