Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has insisted that well meaning Nigerians need to stand up and collectively fight corruption because of the enormous damage it had done to the nation’s economy.
Osinbajo, who spoke today, Tuesday, while receiving a delegation of the University of Lagos Alumni Association that paid him a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa said: “We’ve watched corruption fighting back, some people even said bring back corruption, but not the man on the street.
“No economy can tolerate the level of corruption seen in Nigeria without consequences. Look at the Northeast, while a war is going, Nigerian lives being lost, some local governments had been taken over, and yet people cannot account for $15B meant for security equipment purchases.
“The corruption has been so much. Look at the sheer amount of money stolen and decisions taken that fuels corruption, decisions taken just with the sole aim of cornering national resources.”
He said that the Buhari administration’s approach to the fight against corruption, adding: “we are not sitting down focussing on it, all we do is to empower the relevant agencies EFCC and co to do their jobs. Our main focus is the national economy.”
“What catches our attention is the kind of discoveries we get and hear of daily.”
He observed that Nigeria is still blessed with honest people and that as a nation, it is important to pay serious attention to issues of integrity.
“I can say is one that is completely focussed on dealing with issues that concerns this country. I work every day with the President so I can say so. He is totally focussed on how to make this country a better place to live.”
The UNILAG Alumni Association was led by Dr. Sunny Kuku who noted the group’s support for the Buhari administration, expressing readiness to assist in any way necessary. He said the members of the Alumni Association were proud that one of them rose to the high office of the Vice President. Prof. Osinbajo said he was glad to receive the group in his office and grateful to be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award. [myad]
