Nigeria’s corruption due to decades of neglect, indiscipline -Gombe gov
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, says Nigeria’s history of corruption is hinged on administrative neglect, adding that it is not devoid from indiscipline.
Yahaya made this disclosure in his address on Tuesday, during an event by Anti Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), with the theme: “Value Governance as a Panacea to Curbing Corruption”, which had career civil servants and political appointees in attendance.
According to Yahaya, he shares the perception of Nigeria’s President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on the need to eradicate corruption before it rips off the financial prosperity of the state.
“Today, corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of our society. This is due to decades of administrative neglect and indiscipline. Fighting corruption is one of the cardinal objectives of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Nigeria is both a signatory to the United Nations and African Union conventions against corruption.
“As President Buhari always say: ‘we must kill corruption before corruption kills Nigeria.’ Let me make it clear that I strongly share Mr. President’s vision on creating a corruption-free Nigeria where our resources are judiciously utilized for the benefit of all our people,” Yahaya said.
While lauding the successes attained in the establishment of the Academy, the governor noted that alot has been achieved by his administration to ensure that sanctity returned to governance.
He added, “For us in Gombe, we are walking the talk and matching our words with action. We are all aware of the financial mess we inherited and the tremendous successes we have recorded in the past two years. From plugging leakages to eliminating redundancies, public service reforms and fiscal discipline.
“We have demonstrated our resolve to break from the past and to chart a new course for Gombe State, one that is built on the foundation of prudence, efficiency and transparency. Because, it is only through just and efficient utilization of resources that we can substantially deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.”
Yahaya said participants are expected to apply their new knowledge and insights in their various places of work, for the betterment of the service.
According to him, “This retreat draws participants from political office holders and civil servants across various ministries, departments and agencies. The aim is to share insights, knowledge and experience on best practices on fighting corruption and strengthening system integrity. On our part, government will provide the enabling environment to combat corruption and reward integrity and honesty in governance.”
On his part, Director of Education and enlightenment of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Baba Ashiru, said a World Bank report has revealed that majority of corrupt practices are perpetrated in public service.
“I therefore, want to appeal to participants not to treat lessons learnt during the workshop with disdain,” he added.
