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Former president of Botswana, Mr.
Festus Mogae, has described corruption
as a threat to democracy in Nigeria even
as he challenged the masses of the
nation to rise up against the corrupt by
denying them the opportunity of
controlling power and influence.
His call came as General Yakubu Gowon,
Nigeria's former head of State canvassed
for more enabling powers for the
country's anti-graft watchdog to enable
it function effectively in a way that it
can bring an end to all economic crimes
, disrespect to lawful authority and
acts inimical to good governance.
The two former presidents spoke in Gombe
on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, during the
launching of the Anti-Corruption
Revolution Campaign, ANCOR, in the North
“East and North “ West Zones of the
federation.
Mogae, a 2008 recipient of the
prestigious Mo-Ibrahim Prize for
Achievement in leadership said that
corruption can circumvent the will of
the people and undermine the rule of law
as it is the enemy number one of law and
order and good governance.
While saying that corruption distorts
priorities as those who are corrupt tend
to give priority to development projects
of little or no national benefits, the
former president said the ANCOR project
requires a realistic and honest
assessment of the extent of corruption
in Nigeria and its dimensions.
He, however, warned that without
political will, the ANCOR campaign will
not go anywhere. Mogae also noted that
for the anti-corruption campaign to
succeed, the government must be prepared
to risk potential embarrassment to
itself.
There must be an accompanying
realization that whatever mechanisms are
put in place, they must be so organized
and structured that the campaign and the
campaigners have unfettered operational
autonomy, Mogae said.
He
also advised that the campaign must
enjoy adequate human and physical
resources, as he maintained that
irrespective of the possible political
consequences, there will be no
slackening of resolve.
According to him, any anti-corruption
campaign that seeks to provide immunity
to any group of people is bound to fail
as it will lack public confidence and
support which is essential to its
success.
This is an important recognition that
the government cannot fight corruption
alone but needs the active participation
of ordinary citizens, the public sector,
the private sector and the civil
society. Corruption is a problem that
affects us all; we are all its victims;
therefore we all have to be involved in
fighting against it”, he stressed.
General Gowon in his opening remark,
called on all Nigerians at home and in
the Diaspora to stand on the platform of
truth and justice, virtue and integrity.
“Let us give our genuine support to an
organization that deserves it, needs it,
to enable it do its work successfully.
State government support; please assist
ANCOR for your own good. Let us imbibe
the spirit of the occasion to make a
solemn declaration, that we shall all
support the project, the cause of ANCOR.
Chairman of EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri, in
her own remarks, said the time is
neither for lamentation nor despair. She
urged the nation to be courageous and
resilient to confront the evil of
corruption which puts all Nigerians at
great risk.
In
her words, Risk of insecurity, risk of
abject poverty, disease and misery, risk
of international odium and disrespect
etc. The corrupt may have in the past
capitalized on our patience as a people.
They may have assumed that we are weak
and cannot fight back. They are
certainly mistaken. The impending
anti-corruption revolution will consume
them and their illicit wealth.
She said that the presence of General
Gowon at the occasion signifies great
hope. He is here to demonstrate to the
corrupt that the future of our country
will not be left at their mercy. He is
here as a sign that their days are
numbered. Under his strong leadership at
a relatively young age, we fought a
civil war and emerged a strong united
people. Those gains are being frittered
away today. He remains a patriot and a
national servant par excellence. We hope
that a time will soon come when our
leaders at all levels will imbibe his
sterling leadership qualities so that he
can take his deserved rest.
In
their goodwill messages at the event,
the governors of Gombe, Danjuma Goje,
Borno, Alli Modu Sherrif, Kastina,
Ibrahim Shema, Yobe , Ibrahim Geidam,
the Senate President David Mark
represented by Senator Tundun Wada and
Chairman, House of Representatives
Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and
Financial Crimes, Hon. Rabe Nasir all
called on Nigerians to heed the EFCC’s
call by joining the anti-corruption
revolution train.
The event of Tuesday was preceded by a
sensitization road walk campaign across
major streets of Gombe on Monday.
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