Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s vice president, has given a special mandate to the elite in the country, as well as the 44 non-career ambassadors-designate.
Osinbajo said the level of corruption in Nigeria is now intolerable
He wants them to rise up to the challenge of changing the ‘narrative’ of corruption which has become intolerable.
ZENITHBLOG.com reports that the vice president made the charge at the end of a four-day introduction programme, organised by the ministry of Finance, for 44 non-career ambassadors-designate, which.
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“Corruption is an existential issue that will affect whether our country survives, and we must go beyond talking about it, to acting,” he said in a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Osinbajo, while urging the ambassadors-designate, to see themselves as worthy representatives of the country, reminded them that the current administration has focused on revamping the economy, ensuring security for all and fighting corruption.
“We are honoured to be served by such distinguished individuals like yourself, and we’re proud to have you represent us.
“There’s great hope for our economy and a turnaround is in sight,” he said while further urged them to ensure that “people who come to the embassies must be treated with respect.
“I do not know any other country that has as much resources like Nigeria including men, women and naturals resource, endowments, we’re tremendously blessed.”
Earlier, Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the EFCC, enjoined the new representatives of the country, to see themselves as partners in the war against corruption.
“We are making you our ambassadors to fight corruption wherever you go, because we alone at the EFCC cannot do the job without your
Stressing the adverse effects that corruption, particularly illicit transfer of funds from the country has had on the development of the country, Magu, noted that corruption flourishes when good people fail to confront it.
According to him, Nigeria accounts for the highest percentage of illicit flows among other African countries, which was put at about 68.1 percent.
He revealed that such was usually carried out through corrupt practices, tax evasion and illegal transfers by multi-nationals.
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“You will be involved in tracing and recovery of our stolen assets and facilitating the repatriation of those funds and the perpetrators, because this is very key to your role,” he said.
He reiterated the zero-tolerance stance of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, as regards corruption, urging them to key into the mission of ridding the country of the challenge. To him, this is their greatest service to Nigeria.
“We have posted some of our operators to these foreign missions, and we will need you to work with us,” he said, noting that the progress made in the fight against corruption must be sustained.
He further added that the EFCC currently had collaboration with agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) the United Kingdom Metropolitan Police, and the Department of Justice, among other international law enforcement agencies.
Meanwhile. watch this video of Osinbajo recently flagging-off the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line project:
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