PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday vowed to end corruption in all ramifications in the country, saying looting of public funds, bribery of public officials and other vices associated with corrupt practices constitute more than half the real problems of the nation.
He spoke through the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah at the launch of an anti-corruption campaign, tagged “The Value Project” in Abuja.
The anti-corruption campaign organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Youth Health and Social Reforms (YOHESOR), was designed for building a corrupt-free generation through education, value re-orientation, skills training and awareness creation in primary and secondary schools across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.
Speaking against the backdrop of recent recovery of billions of dollars from former public officials and the general endemic corruption in the country, President Buhari said he strongly believes that ending corruption would lead to a new Nigeria.
He said his administration had made it clear in the last one year that Nigerians must join hands with his government to kill corruption before corruption kills what is left of the country.
Buhari said: “I am personally delighted to be associated with this initiative as it borders on the anti-corruption campaign of our administration but this time from the perspective of our school children.
“I stand to be corrected but I strongly think that if we get it right with corruption, we almost will get it right with the new Nigeria of our desire.
“In the last one year of this administration, we have made relentless efforts to make our position clear that we must all join hands to kill corruption before corruption kills what is left of our dear country.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the vices associated with corrupt practices, such as budget padding, miracle exam centres, sorting of lecturers, contract inflation, looting of public funds and bribery of public officials, constitute more than half of the real problem of this nation.
“I therefore, urge everyone who professes genuine love and passion for this unique country called Nigeria to support this government in its drive to change the orientation of Nigerians, particularly the children about corruption and its attendant social vices,” he said.
The president said he saw the anti-corruption campaign project as a high social and moral impact investment for the children.
National Coordinator, Youth Health and Social Reforms (YOHESOR), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, in his remark, said Nigeria was suffering from corruption induced poverty.
This, he said, had made most people to conclude that there is no future for the children, adding, however, that Nigeria could be saved through the project.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Anwukah in his address, which was read on his behalf, said the battle ground of the anti-corruption crusade led by President Muhammadu Buhari was now shifted to primary and secondary schools for practical impact.
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