President Muhammadu Buhari told African leaders on Friday, September 23, 2022 in New York, United States, that combating corruption was no longer an option but a requirement for the prosperity of the continent.
Buhari expressed his gratitude for the chance to serve as the AU Champion on anti-corruption since 2018 at an event co-hosted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development.
In conjunction with the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, he delivered a speech at a high-level side event titled “Food Security Response: Combating Illicit Financial Flows and Securing Asset Returns for Sustainable Development.”
As you are all aware, this would be my final official appearance at the UN General Assembly in my capacity as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he remarked.
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“I am grateful to the African Union for designating me as the continental organization’s champion on efforts to combat corruption on the national and continental levels. I continue to feel honoured and privileged to have served as President of Nigeria for two terms.
“This fight is a necessity and not a choice to give our citizens a better life through economic prosperity, social peace and security.”
In a statement titled “At UN, President Buhari rues corrosive effect of corruption in Africa, urges leaders to fight it 24/7,” Femi Adesina, the president’s special adviser on media and publicity, quoted him as saying that combating corruption was no longer a choice but was necessary for the prosperity of the continent.
Buhari bemoaned that due of the effects of corruption, the continent continued to rank at the bottom of the global development index.
“Over the years, we painfully realised how deeply ingrained corruption has grown in our nations and continent, as well as how destructive it can be,” he said.
“Corruption has dwarfed our growth and tainted our nations and continent. Africa remains at the far end of the development index and concerted efforts made in the last few years need to be sustained, deepened by good governance and accountability that are guided by the rule of law.
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“I have strong faith that Africa and our national governments can do this with strong resolve and commitment to eliminating illicit financial flows.”
“Our national resources must not find safe-havens around the world. This fight is a necessity and not a choice to give our citizens a better life through economic prosperity, social peace and security,” Buhari added.
Buhari also assured his counterparts from Ireland and Greece that Nigeria was making progress in resolving its security issues.
“Over the past few months, Nigeria has made steady progress toward eradicating chronic insecurity thanks to new platforms and enhanced morale among the security forces. In order for Nigeria to learn something helpful, we will continue to collaborate with countries throughout the world, particularly in the use of technology, Buhari remarked during a meeting with Michael Martin, the prime minister of Ireland.
The President stated that with the military’s reinvigorated efforts, insecurity in Nigeria would soon be a thing of the past, according to a second statement from Adesina.
