WELCOME TO KENTERPRO:
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF HARVEST OF CORRUPTION IN RELATION TO THE SOCIAL ILLS IN OUR CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

During the pre-independence era in Africa, the African novel reflected the quest for freedom from the colonizers. The authors during this time were busy shaping the cultural nationalistic fiction as a means to assert indigenous identity. Such a literature was written when there was hope that after independence Africa will prosper. Such a fiction therefore tended to be dominated by a forward looking optimism (Pandurang, 2017). As a result, novels like Things Fall Apart (1958) by Chinua Achebe and The River Between (1965) by Ngugi Wa Thiango emanated. Such a hope, however, gave place to despair soon after Africa got independence. The change of leadership did not help in bringing about a change that Africa had longed for. The new indigenous ruling African class involved itself in practices that were not different from earlier colonizers or even worst than the colonial masters. Corruption and other evil practices left the people only disappointed. This situation could be likened to that of the present Nigeria, where everyone clamoured for a change in leadership only to be disappointed after the 2015 general elections. When the change came everyone knew that they were deceived and this was not the change the all anticipated because banditry, terrorism, herdsmen attacks, starvation and other social ills became the order of the day. Sensing this, authors like Frank Ogodo, Ngugi Wa Thiango, Chinua Achebe and Ayi Kwei Armah who are watch dogs of the society, had no choice but to speak against the social ills of the neo-colonialist. They soon turned towards a mode of writing whereby they could express their anger and disappointment. This anger and disappointment replaced the earlier promises of nationhood and self-assertion in their novels. Since satire has its roots in society and aims at reformation, these writers found such a style/form more feasible and useful. Such a style of writing was most appropriate for them to show their commitment to and involvement with the painful problems of their people.

            There are different ways through which corruption is viewed. Notwithstanding, it has a common ground of opinion which conceives that corruption is the perpetration of a vice against the public well-being. Lipset and Lipset (2000: 16) saw corruption as an effort to secure wealth or power through illegal means for private gain at public expense. Tanzi (2018) in his own view saw Corruption as intentional non-compliance with ethical and moral behaviour which is aimed at agalitarian society and also a determination to destroy the set moral institutions. Tanzi also believes that corruption occurs in every human endeavour and often difficult to observe because corruption does not typically take place in broad daylight. Ackerman (2018) viewed corruption from the payments that are made to obtain a benefit for avoiding a lost of interest on the part of the payer. Such payment affects the behaviour of the payers and recipients

The way corruption is perceived in Nigeria in the 1960s may be completely different from the way it is perceived presently. Ayikeke (2006) saw corruption as behaviour on the part of a candidate or a party that involves himself or herself in an improper or unlawful conduct of financial operations for the gain of a political party, interest group, or of an individual candidate. Akanbi, (2001) identified a long list of practices that constitute corruption. These include: the use of pecuniary advantage, gratification, influence peddling, insincerity in advice with a view to gaining advantage, less than a full day’s work for a full day’s pay, tardiness and laziness, failure to report cases of inducement to the commission. Ayikeke (2006) said that corruption in Nigeria has made election results to have very little or nothing to do with the performance in office of politicians. Effective democratic processes, parliamentary systems, political stability, and freedom of the press are all affected with corruption. With regard to the electoral processes, costly political campaigns, with expenses exceeding normal sources of political funding, and the absence of adequate controls to prevent bribery or “campaign donations” provide room for corrupt practices (Ugwu, 2012). Uwhejevwe-Togbolo (2018) is of the view that corruption is primarily a problem of institutional weakness and inefficient public bureaucratic system. In his view, he saw corruption as a form of behaviour that results from the structural deformity of an under-developed political economy that is incapable of delineating between public trust and individual interest. He saw corruption narrowly as a negative form of behavioural pattern where an officer who is entrusted with public office abuses that office through personal misconduct or moral lapses that borders on greed, avarice or selfish desire. Uwhejevwe-Togbolo is more concerned with the official aspect of corruption.

            Harvest of Corruption, a play written by Frank Ogodo Ogbeche, is a literary masterpiece that captures the corrupt practices prevalent in African society. The play, which was first performed in 1984, is still relevant today in our contemporary society, where corruption continues to undermine development and hinder progress. This play paints a vivid picture of the socio-economic and political decay that plagues the African continent, and it has become a classic in Nigerian literature, addressing issues that remain prevalent in the society. Harvest of Corruption tells the story of a corrupt government official, Chief Haladu Ade Amaka, who is involved in several fraudulent activities, including bribery, embezzlement, and nepotism. The play highlights the moral decay in the society and the ways in which corrupt practices have become entrenched in the political system. The play also exposes the devastating consequences of corruption on the ordinary citizens who are at the receiving end of these corrupt practices. In this thematic analysis, we will examine how the play addresses the social ills that are prevalent in our contemporary society. We will explore how the play reflects the reality of corruption, and how its message is still relevant today. We will also analyze the themes of the play and how they relate to the social and political issues that plague the African continent.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

            One of the cankerworms eating deep into Nigeria is corruption. Corruption has been sharp sword piercing the economic life of Nigeria right from independence. The problem that Harvest of Corruption addresses is the pervasive corruption that continues to undermine the development and progress of our contemporary society. The play highlights the moral decay in African society, where corrupt practices have become entrenched in the political system, where government officials engage in fraudulent activities, including bribery, embezzlement, and nepotism. These corrupt practices have devastating consequences on the ordinary citizens who are at the receiving end of these practices, perpetuating poverty and underdevelopment. The play exposes the ways in which corruption erodes trust in institutions, weakens democratic governance, and perpetuates inequality and injustice. The problem, therefore, is how to address and eradicate corruption in our contemporary society, which is essential for achieving sustainable development and progress.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

            The main purpose of this study is to make thematic analysis of Harvest of Corruption in relation to the social ills in our contemporary society. Other specific objectives of the study are:

1. Analyze the themes of Harvest of Corruption and their relationship to the social and political issues that are prevalent in our contemporary society.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of the play in highlighting the moral decay in African society and the ways in which corrupt practices have become entrenched in the political system.

• Assess the impact of corruption on development and progress in our contemporary society and how the play’s message can contribute to efforts aimed at eradicating corruption.

1. Explore the role of literature, particularly drama, in addressing social and political issues in our society and how Harvest of Corruption fits into this discourse.
2. Draw lessons from the play that can be applied in our contemporary society to tackle corruption and other social ills that undermine development and progress.

1.4 Research Questions

            The study is guided by the following research questions:

1. How do the themes of Harvest of Corruption relate to the social and political issues that are prevalent in our contemporary society?
2. To what extent is Harvest of Corruption effective in highlighting the moral decay in African society and the ways in which corrupt practices have become entrenched in the political system?

• What is the impact of corruption on development and progress in our contemporary society, and how can the message of Harvest of Corruption contribute to efforts aimed at eradicating corruption?

1. How does literature, particularly drama, address social and political issues in our society, and how does Harvest of Corruption fit into this discourse?
2. What lessons can be drawn from Harvest of Corruption that can be applied in our contemporary society to tackle corruption and other social ills that undermine development and progress?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The significance of this thematic analysis lies in its ability to contribute to the discourse on the role of literature, particularly drama, in addressing social and political issues in our society. The study will provide insights into how literature can be used as a tool for social change and how Harvest of Corruption fits into this discourse. The analysis will also shed light on the impact of corruption on development and progress in our contemporary society, and how the message of the play can contribute to efforts aimed at eradicating corruption. Additionally, the study will provide lessons that can be drawn from the play that can be applied in our contemporary society to tackle corruption and other social ills that undermine development and progress. The findings of this study will be valuable to scholars, policymakers, and stakeholders interested in understanding the causes and consequences of corruption, and how literature can be used to address social and political issues in our society. Furthermore, the study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the topic and provide a basis for future research.

1.6. Scope and Delimitation

The scope of this thematic analysis will focus on the relevance of Harvest of Corruption to our contemporary society in addressing the social ills that plague our society, particularly corruption. The study will analyze the themes of the play and how they relate to the social and political issues that are prevalent in our contemporary society, with a focus on Africa. The analysis will also assess the effectiveness of the play in highlighting the moral decay in African society and the ways in which corrupt practices have become entrenched in the political system. The study will also evaluate the impact of corruption on development and progress in our contemporary society, and how the message of the play can contribute to efforts aimed at eradicating corruption. Additionally, the study will explore the role of literature, particularly drama, in addressing social and political issues in our society and how Harvest of Corruption fits into this discourse. Finally, the study will draw lessons from the play that can be applied in our contemporary society to tackle corruption and other social ills that undermine development and progress.

1.7 Operational Definitions of Terms

            For the purpose of this thematic analysis, the following operational definitions of terms will be used:

Corruption: This refers to the abuse of entrusted power for personal gain, and includes practices such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and favoritism.

Social ills: This refers to problems or issues that affect the well-being of a society, including but not limited to poverty, inequality, crime, unemployment, and poor governance.

Contemporary society: This refers to the current state of society, characterized by rapid technological advancements, globalization, and changing social norms and values.

Drama: This refers to a form of literature intended for performance, which typically involves dialogue between characters and a storyline.

Development: This refers to the process of improving the economic, social, and political conditions of a society, including measures such as poverty reduction, access to education and healthcare, and improved governance.

Progress: This refers to the positive changes or advancements made towards development goals and objectives, including improved living standards, increased economic growth, and reduced inequality.