The Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, Bolanle Ambode, wife of Lagos State governor, and Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, among others, on Wednesday, called for joint action by the different strata of society to contend with corruption in Nigeria.
They spoke at the launch of Nigerian Women Against Corruption (WAC), with wives of governors of the South-West states in attendance, noting that the economic recession and high level of poverty among Nigerians could had been avoided had Nigeria’s resources been managed corruption-free.
According to Magu, the economic woes facing the nation are a direct consequence of “long years of unbreakable chain of corruption,” which must now be tackled without compromise.
“In fact, corruption is the cause of the current recession and the falling value of the Naira. If there is one enemy that we need to urgently confront, it is corruption; it has eroded almost all the benefits that we should be enjoying from our natural resources.
“We all own Nigeria and we are all stakeholders in this project, so, we must be ready now, more than ever before to be corruption watchdogs and whistle-blowers,” Magu said.
Speaking on behalf of wives of the South-West governors, Bolanle Ambode, posited that the fight against corruption must be seen as one in which everyone had a role to play. “If we desire to sustainably address the issue of poverty and also make the economy work for everyone, the monster called corruption must be eradicated,” she said.
She said the involvement of women in the fight was particularly germane because it must start from the unit with the inculcation of morals in the children. “If we view corruption as one of the manifestations of deficient moral values, we must begin to pay proper attention to the home and ensure that our children are given the right upbringing based, on time-honoured values of honesty, integrity, trust, the fear of God and dignity of labour,” she said.
Appealing to mothers and sisters in Lagos and the South-West region to take a stand against corruption, she said, “Let us start the fight from our homes by discouraging any act, behaviour or attitude that aids and abets corruption. If we succeed as individuals in our various homes, there will be no room for corruption and corrupt practices in the larger society.”
Oba of Lagos, in his message, called for the support of every Nigerian to ensure that Nigeria returns to the path of honour among comity of nations.
