Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed regrets that despite the fight against corruption in Nigeria, some public officers are still stealing public funds and are being hailed by the people close to them.
“Some people believe that if ‘my kinsman’ steals it is ok,” the Vice President said, adding that there are still those who think that when a politician who is their kinfolk steals, it is permissible.
Osinbajo, who spoke today, Tuesday at a meeting with a delegation of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), led by its Chairman, Professor Itse Sagay at the Presidential Villa, insisted that the government should completely de-legitimize corruption, especially through the way it is communicated.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo advised the anti-Corruption agencies to step up their engagement with the Nigerian public.
He said that the way Nigerians communicate what is going on regarding corruption is important, noting that there are still those who think that a politician who steals is some kind of Robin Hood, instead of being vilified.
He commended the work of PACAC for the excellent work the body had done so far from the beginning, adding that the Committee had been able to remove skepticism as to whether an anti-corruption initiative can work well in the country.
“This has been very good,” the Vice President declared, explaining that the Committee has given credibility to the anti-corruption war.
Professor Osinbajo expressed satisfaction that the anti-corruption war has been going on very well, especially with the role of PACAC, even as he stressed the need for corruption trials to be concluded promptly.
Professor Sagay told Osinbajo that PACAC has engaged with all anti-corruption agencies in the country, including the police and the judiciary.
“We are cooperating effectively well with them.”
Sagay who was accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the Committee, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye and members, including Hadiza Bala-Usman, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and others, called for a harmonized National Anti-Corruption Strategy for the Federal Government. [myad]
