Anti graft war: there should no sacred cows , Ex-UN Ambassador task Buhari

By Lanre Adesanya

Former Ambassador and Deputy Representative of Nigeria at the United Nations (UN), Chief Oladapo Fafowora stated that it is time now more than ever before for Nigeria to end public corruption in the country, just as he called for a holistic approach to the fight against graft.

Fafowora, who spoke in Lagos at the 11th Annual Surveyor Adekunle Kukoyi Memorial Lecture organized by the Lagos State Branch of Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), said those who have corruptly enriched themselves are enemies of the state and must be treated as such, and that there should be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.

Speaking on the theme “Landscape: Challenges and Responsibilities for African Future,” Fafowora said there were many challenges confronting the African states, principal of which is corruption, and that African states, especially Nigeria, must now pursue the anti-corruption war with all seriousness required.

The challenges, Fafowora said included those of national identity and integration, sustaining democratic rule, fighting massive corruption, mass poverty and ignorance, job creation, economic backwardness, poor social and physical infrastructure, poor health delivery service, constant threat to constitutional government, and the rule of law, as well as weak and ineffective public institutions.

 He said: “It is now to end public corruption in our country because there is strong and widespread public demand to the effect that those against whom allegations of public corruption have been made should be brought to justice as speedily as possible.

“If found guilty, then they should be punished accordingly. There should be no sacred cows and such people are morally unfit for positions of leadership and high state responsibilities in our country. They are enemies of the state and should be treated as such,” the ex-UN chief said.

While alluding to a comment by the United States Republican Presidential candidate, Donald Trump calling for the repatriation of all Nigerians from the US, including those who are not corrupt and gainfully employed there, Fafowora said such was the result of the negative reputation which corruption had given to Nigeria.

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the searchlight on corruption to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), saying it was not an exaggeration that virtually all public institutions in Nigeria have been gripped by the vice of corruption.

As a way out, Fafowora said strong measures including rebuilding of public institutions should be introduced urgently to address the grave challenge posed by corruption to Nigeria’s future prosperity, stability and security.

Guest lecturer at the event and Chancellor of Lead City University, Ibadan, Professor Gabriel Ogunmola, on his part, said the humongous amount so far discovered in the arms purchase scandal involving the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and other prominent Nigerians was a national shame.

Ogunmola, a former President of Nigerian Academy of Science, said: “Just imagine what that amount could have done to health care delivery, provision of infrastructure and so.”

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He further lamented that as at today, Nigeria still import the water being consumed by Nigerians in that the chemicals and chlorine used to refine water were being imported, adding that the country must urgently take deliberate actions to improve on the quality of lives of the people.

Earlier, Chairman of Lagos State NIS, Surveyor Gbenga Alara said the association had used the memorial lecture to honour Late Kukoyi, who was President of the association in Nigeria between 1973 and 1978,  so as to set agenda for the society and stimulate thoughts and imaginations of Nigerians towards a better and saner Nigeria. He described the chairman of the 11th edition of the lecture as a most stellar and diplomatic products of Nigeria’s post independent history who had encountered the saints and sadists in power