President Muhammadu Buhari has described how political and economic parasites invaded Nigeria and milked its resources with impunity, even as he vowed that his administration is irrevocably committed to doing all within its powers to break the vicious cycle of corruption, unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria.
“As Petroleum Minister under General Olusegun Obasanjo (when he was military Head of State) in the 1970’s, I could not travel abroad until I had taken a memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) asking for estacode. Now, everybody does what he wants. That is why security-wise and economically, we’re in trouble.”
President Buhari who spoke when he had a meeting today with members of the National Peace Committee, led by the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, stressed that not too long from now, the prosecution of persons who have stolen national resources will begin.
“Nigeria has to break this vicious cycle before we can make progress. My administration is diligently getting facts and figures pertaining to the nation’s stolen funds, before proceeding to the prosecution of identified culprits.”
He said that the Federal Government, under his leadership, would make those who have stolen the national wealth to be charged to court in a matter of weeks so that “Nigerians will know those who have short-changed them.”
He stressed that they will not only be asked to return the stolen funds that have been stashed in foreign banks, but will also ensure that those who stole the funds are put on trial in Nigeria.
“We have really degenerated as a country. Our national institutions, including the military, which did wonderfully well on foreign missions in the past, have been compromised. But we are doing something about it. The military is now retraining and morale has been resuscitated.”
The President said that as part of its actions to address the national problems it inherited, his administration is reorganising Nigeria’s revenue generating institutions, adding that a single treasury account had been established for all Federal revenue to ensure greater probity, transparency and accountability in the collection, disbursement and utilisation of national funds.
General Abubakar and members of his committee advised the Federal Government to be guided by the rule of law in its fight against corruption.
Members of the National Peace Committee who accompanied General Abubakar on the visit were Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria.
Others were Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), Professor Ameze Guobadia, Vanguard Newspaper Publisher, Sam Amuka, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Senator Ben Obi, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, and Dr. Arthur-Martin Aginam.
The National Peace Committee, formed before the 2015 general elections, was granted permission by the President to transform to a National Peace Council. [myad]
Home FEATURES How Political Parasites Milked Nigeria’s Economy, Buhari Laments, Vows To Soon Prosecute...
