SAK International is a non-governmental body which has as one of its objectives, the reduction, if not the complete cessation of the culture of free-floating corruption which now exists in our beloved country, Nigeria. The local body SAK Foundation is registered in Nigeria under the companies and Allied acts 1990.

SAK Foundation believes that the duty to eliminate corruption in any society belongs to the people and not the government. This may sound unfair especially to the downtrodden and poverty stricken, who undoubtedly are in a near hopeless vicious cycle which they think they can do nothing about and which we believe is created when poverty and corruption coexists due to a synergistic effect. Nevertheless, we believe that governments which obviously are made up of (the) people ultimately perform according to the weaknesses and wishes of the people. While we do already have some strong opinions on the issue of corruption, we have also realised that there are as many opinions as there are individuals who are interested in this subject. Valuable and relevant as these opinions may be, genuine individual and/or collective action specifically against corruption appears to be rare in the absence of government involvement .Sadly, those who attempt to stand against corruption may be looked at cynic

There are no magic answers, no miraculous methods to overcome the
problems we face, just the familiar ones: honest search for understanding,
education, organisation, action that raises the cost of state violence for its
perpetrators or lays the basis for institutional change - and the kind of
commitment that will persist despite the temptations of disillusionment,
despite many failures and only limited successes, inspired by the hope
of a brighter future. -- Prof. Noam Chomsky

Oh yes, the temptations of disillusionment and of many failures would always lurk around but on this issue of corruption, perhaps those who would rather not be corrupted have little integration with one another, neither do individuals receive adequate support and/or protection should they decide to stand firm on an anti-corruption principle. The "enticing" but short sighted rewards of corruption are there too, overshadowing the conscience of individuals . Whatever the case, there has to be ways of tackling this scourge and this is what this National Essay competition would be attempting to do, drawing from the creative ideas from citizens of a country that have proved themselves at home and abroad to be intelligent yet are still ridiculed by some of their actions and the actions of their government.

This first National anti-corruption essay competition is at two levels:

Level 1 -Secondary schools

Level 2 -Others including undergraduate, postgraduates and freelance writers.

Level 1 prizes are as follows ;1st prize N30,000 and a computer donated to the school of the candidate, 2nd prize N20,000 and a computer donated to the school of the candidate, 3rd prize N15,000 and a computer donated to the school of the candidate. In addition, 17 other level 1entrants would win N5,000 each for writing a brilliant essay.

All level 1 winners may have to be interviewed with a view to encouraging them to see their anti-corruption stance as an on-going personal duty by offering continuous and unconditional support towards a future of integrity.

Level 2 entrants/competitors at post-graduate level are futher subclassified to include "senior level 2 entrants". For the ordinary level 2 entrants prizes are as follows: 1st prize N50,000, 2nd prize N40,000 and 3rd prize N25,000. 17 other level 2 entrants would also win N5,000 each for writing a brilliant essay.

There is only one prize for senior level 2 entrants and that would be the "Samuel Metseagharun prize " of N100,000.

Requirements for the essay and tips for level 1 and ordinary level 2 entrants on the type of essay that is likely to win;

For level 1 entrants a minimum of 1,000 words but no fixed maximum, level 2 a minimum of 2,500 and no fixed maximum and a larger volume with relevant ideas may increase the chances of that essay. Entrants would have to choose a heading that best describes the contents of their essay but it must relate to the issue of corruption and how best we can significantly reduce it. The following headings may therefore be helpful.

1. A prologue

2. Definitions (what is corruption? etc)

3.A bit of history which may explain the evolution of corruption in Nigeria

4.The psychological dynamics of corruption

5.Cultural aspects/continental differences

6. The effects of corruption

7.Implication (including local and international)

8.Practicable solutions

9. Global cooperation for a solution.

10.References (should be well quoted in the body of the essay for the essay to stand a chance.)

All Essays should be mailed to: 1st National Anti-corruption Essay Competition, P.O. Box 2297, Suru-lere, Lagos or (preferably) be sent by e-mail to info@sakinternational.org

All essays would eventually be archived and all entrants given details of the archive which hopefully may be available on the internet in the not too distant future. Except an entrant provides written objections, by entering this essay competition all entrants concedes the copy rights of all materials to the SAK Foundation.

Signed

Dr Temi Metseagharun