Africa Anti-corruption Day- Corruption, terminal disease, says AUDA-NEPAD Boss
Corruption has been described as a terminal disease ravaging development and growth of continents of the world, Africa in particular.This was said by Princess Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, in a statement signed by Obed Atuora, Assistant Director (Media) in the agency.
According to Akobundu, Nigeria being the giant of Africa is determined to eradicate the disease from her soil.
The National Coordinator said this at the event marking the 3rd African Anti-Corruption Day with the theme; Towards a common African position on Asset Recovery, organised by EFCC in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.
Akobundu lamented that corruption had been hindering AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria and president Mohammadu Buhari Administration’s efforts to provide good governance, infrastructural facilities, create job, empower youths and women, improve the living standard of the people, socio-economic and political environment necessary for the development of Africa and Nigeria.
According to the NC/CEO, “corruption tarnishes the image of Africa and if the general public collaborates with the EFCC and other related agencies on the fight against corruption, Africa and Nigeria in particular will eliminate corruption in the nearest future.”
Akobundu advised Africans and Nigerians to be contended with whatever they have and live within their means as well as eschew anything that could lead them to corrupt practices.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Acting Executive Chairman EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu said that the commission has recovered huge sum of stolen money and assets adding that the EFCC will not relent till corruption is eradicated in the country.
According to Magu, the EFCC has prosecuted and secured jail terms in the law court for high profile personalities noting that the commission could not have made such achievements without the support of the people and appealed to the general public to continue to support and have confidence in EFCC till corruption is eliminated in our country.
The one day event commenced with the war against corruption sensitization Roadwalk which started from Unity Fountain, Maitama and terminated at Yar’adua Centre.The staff of EFCC, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, security officials, NYSC members, civil Society Organisations, media and general public, carried various placards with inscriptions such as ‘kill corruption, corruption is a great problem to our economic development, Join EFCC to fight corruption, R.I.P corruption, to mention but a few.
The event ended at Yar’adua centre with a roundtable discussion after presentation of a paper on the theme: Towards a common Africa position on Assets Recovery by Dr. Tayo Oke.
The discussion was chaired by the former minister, diplomat and educationist, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari while Messrs Olusoji Apampa, Ray Murphy, Dayo Olaide were the discussants. At the end of the discussion, the panel of discussants agreed that corruption was inimical to the nation’s success and progress.
They appealed to Africans and Nigerians to join EFCC and other related agencies in the war against corruption.
