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Anti-corruption Offensive Will Serve As Deterrent To Prospective Looters, Buhari Says In India

October 28, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari said today in India that he expects that the ongoing recoveries of stolen public funds as well as prosecution of suspects will serve as a deterrent to other Nigerians who nurse the ambition of seeking public office solely for illegal personal gain. 

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The Nigeria leader, who is in the country to attend the India-Africa Summit, was speaking to members of the Nigerian community in India, presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said.

President Buhari reaffirmed his administration's resolve to curbing corruption, plugging all loopholes in public sector accounting and deploying available resources for the good of all Nigerians.

He assured the gathering that his administration fully recognized the devastating consequences of the illegal diversion of public resources meant for national development into private bank accounts, and was doing all within its powers to stop such diversions.

He declared that the anti-corruption campaign will continue for many years, and reiterated his commitment to the enthronement of good governance which would plug the loopholes in public sector accounting, and the use of scarce resources for public good.

"We are determined to demonstrate exemplary leadership that will make our citizens to change their ways in a manner that lays a solid foundation for reconstruction and development,” the president said.

For the first time, he also hinted that a systematic value change may be in the offing under his administration.  "I am confident that our approach to fighting corruption through value re-orientation, improved internal processes and systems and  the rule of law, as well as  enhancing the capacity of the various anti-corruption agencies and institutions will prove more enduring in addressing this evil,” he said.

President Buhari also told the Nigerian community that he was fully aware of the expectations of Nigerians who elected him on the platform of change, integrity, probity and accountability, and was therefore doing his utmost best to meet those expectations.

"I wish to assure you that we shall do our best to  fix the economy, create jobs for the teeming population of our youths and make the home environment safe, secure and more attractive to Nigerians outside the country like your good selves.

He pledged to address the challenge of infrastructure in all its ramifications, especially in the areas of power and transportation, adding that his government hopes to create jobs through agriculture, mining, industrial value-addition and the promotion of small scale enterprises.   

Turning to issues of security, he spoke briefly about steps being taken to address criminality. “We are tackling the menace of terrorism posed by Boko Haram head on and I am pleased to note that though sporadic attacks on soft targets have not stopped, the over-all capacity of Boko Haram to hold territory and determine the course of the conflict has been severely degraded,” he said. 

He reiterated his hope that if the current positive trends are maintained, Nigeria would by the end of this year have succeeded in permanently turning the tide against the Boko Haram.
 

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Corruption