President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to win the war against corruption.
He gave the assurance at a one-day anti-corruption summit, organised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) in commemoration of the Anti-Corruption Day, which comes up every December 9.
A press statement by the EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, Monday in Abuja, said the President was represented at the event which took place at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, by the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari.
Buhari described the summit, which was organized with a special focus on the country’s maritime and transport sectors as a step in the right direction, noting that the initiative complements the various programmes being implemented by his administration to block leakages and improve transparency in all sectors, with the aim of boosting revenues in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.
He commended the EFCC and the Shippers’ Council for organising the summit, which he observed was for the enthronement of probity, transparency and accountability in this vital artery of the economy.
Speaking on the theme: Zero Tolerance to Corruption: A Clarion Call, the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, said: “Those who doubt our resolve would soon come to terms with the fact that the EFCC will never give up the fight against corruption. We will never give up, even with corruption fighting back and all the daunting challenges.
“Our determination and faith in what we do, was aptly demonstrated last week when, after 12 years of legal technicalities that took us to the Supreme Court and back, the long convoluted trial of former Abia state Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, was brought to closure, with his conviction, without an option of fine. It brings to three, the number of former state governors that were convicted of corruption.”
In his goodwill message, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka called for the sensitisation of the society in the fight against corruption as well as stiffer penalties for looters of public funds.
On his part, the Minister for Youths and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, called for the anti-corruption searchlight to be extended to all sectors of the economy. “The searchlight and the radar are already on the sports sector. I hope it will extend to other sectors; to education, health and with this together we will burst corruption.”
The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres, who was represented by the Resident Coordinator of the UN, Edward Callum called for collaboration among stakeholders in the anti-corruption fight.
Professor Jega commended the EFCC for its successes in the fight against corruption. “I must commend the EFCC for its very commendable efforts in tackling this cankerworm. I urge them not to rest in their oars because the more the effort, the more daunting it becomes.”
A book edited by former Chairman, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, entitled: Curbing Electoral Spending, was unveiled at the event.
