Use Of English 2010 Jamb Examination

There are many indicators with which to assess or measure corruption. One of them is the affluent living habit of the public official compared to his/her income. Corruption occurs when a public official expects to be induced to perform an act which that public official is ordinarily required to do by law.

Corruption can slow down development. One of the most widely discussed consequences of corruption is the distortion of governmental expenditure. This often results in public money being wasted on white elephant projects, rather than people-oriented services such as health and education. As a result, more opportunities are presented for corrupt use or diversion of funds. Raising the ethical standards of governance can lead to many benefits especially for the economic, political and social development of a country.

Fighting corruption and promoting governance is therefore crucial to developing an environment that facilitates the social, political and economic development of the people. However, while there are often general statements made about the effects of corruption on poverty and development, there is not an explicit recognition that corruption is more than just wealth misappropriation or abuse of power. Corruption impoverishes countries and deprives their citizens of good governance. It destabilizes economic systems. When organized crime and other illegal activities flourish, basic public functions are eroded and the quality of life of the people is reduced. Bribery, for example, is universally regarded as a crime, but it also reflects socio-economic problems that require broad-based preventive measures and the involvement of the society at large.

Another implication of global measures against corruption is making government work better by improving the economy. Finally, redesigning political and regulatory structures will reduce corruption and other anti-system players that encourage corrupt practices.

Drought is a word that invokes strong emotions. This is not surprising as the ____16____ is usually accompanied by a number of unpleasant developments. These developments have ____17____ for all citizens, starting from the peasant farmers to the state and federal governments which may be plunged into emergency and crisis situation which, if not successfully ____18____ could result in social unrest.

The timeliness of the onset of the rains in various regions of the country and their adequate distribution thereafter have become ____19____ of considerable anxiety to all people. The fact, however, is that periodic reduction in the normal ____20____ of rainfall in the country is not new.

Since large areas of the country are drought prone, the consequence are ____21____. Dry spells could be very severe. There are two aspects of coping with drought. One has to do with emergency measures and the other with ____22____ measures. An immediate consequence of any drought would be famine. In addition, where whole populations are forced to abandon their lands or pastures in search of food, there are bound to be other lasting and ____23____ consequences such as distress, sales of cattle by livestock owners in order to buy food.

Government should provide farmers with agricultural inputs and ensure that they have easy access to these inputs under the relief ____24____. Emergency measures will be much more ____25____ if a mechanism is established to ensure adequate preparedness and defence against the occurrence of drought.