Why we must fight corruption —Osinbajo

VICE-PRESIDENT Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the need for the war against corruption to continue, saying that it is necessary to right the harm that has befallen the nation’s economy.

He has, therefore, said it is important that Nigerians insist that the problem of corruption must be dealt with.

He made the assertion while receiving a delegation of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, who paid him a courtesy call at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

“We’ve watched corruption fighting back. Some people even said bring back corruption, but not the man on the street,” he said.

Osinbajo, who observed that the nation had witnessed excessive corruption, added that “no economy can tolerate the level of corruption seen in Nigeria without consequences. Look at the North-East, while a war is going, Nigerian lives being lost, some local governments being taken over, yet people cannot account for $15 billion meant for purchases of security equipment.

“The corruption has been so much. Look at the sheer amount of money stolen and decisions taken that fuel corruption, decisions taken just with the sole aim of cornering national resources.”

While explaining the present administration’s approach to the fight against corruption, the Vice-President noted that “we are not sitting down focussing 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.”

However, he observed that Nigeria was still blessed with honest people, adding that as a nation, it was important to pay serious attention to issues of integrity.

“I can say President Muhammadu Buhari 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,” he said.

The UNILAG Alumni Association was led by Dr Sunny Kuku, who noted the group’s support for the Buhari-led administration, expressing readiness to assist in any way necessary.

He said members of the association were proud that one of them rose to the high office of the Vice-President.