Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has justified the need for sustained support for Nigeria’s fight against corruption if only for the extensive damage the malaise
has done to the image of the country.
VP Osinbajo said on Tuesday while receiving a delegation of the University of Lagos Alumni Association that paid him a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa.
“We’ve watched corruption fighting back, some people even said bring back corruption, but not the man on the street,” according to Prof. Osinbajo who added that the nation has witnessed excessive corruption.
Said he: “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,” the Vice President lamented.
While explaining the Buhari administration’s approach to the fight against corruption, the Vice President noted that “we are not sitting down focusing 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.”
Continuing he said “what catches our attention is the kind of discoveries we get and hear of daily.” But he observed that Nigeria is still blessed with honest people, adding that as a nation it is important to pay serious attention to issues of integrity.
According to him, regarding the current government, “I can say is one that is completely focused on dealing with issues that concerns this country. I work everyday with the President so I can say so. He is totally focused 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.