As part of activities to mark the 2018 African Anti-Corruption Day, Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday staged anti-corruption walk across the country with calls on the people to take ownership of the fight against corruption for a better society.

Heads of state and Governments of the African Union, AU, in 2011 declared July 11 every year as the ‘African Anti- Corruption Day’, following the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption on 11 July, 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique.

This year’s event has unique resonance coming against the backdrop of the AU declaration of 2018 as the ‘African Year of Combating Corruption’, with the theme, “winning the fight against corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation”.

The designation of President Muhammadu Buhari as Africa’s Anti-Corruption Champion also adds a distinct Nigerian flavour to this year’s event with the EFCC driving the process.

Led by Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman, EFCC, the walk which took-off from the EFCC’s Old Head Office, Wuse 2, Abuja en route Unity Fountain terminated at Eagles Square, Abuja.

Participants who moved amidst singing and dancing defied the scorching sun carrying banners and placards bearing inscriptions such as “Africa United Against Corruption”; “Kill Corruption before Corruption Kills Nigeria”; Nigerian Youths Say No To Corruption”; “Nigerian Women Say No To Corruption”; “Let’s Support the Fight Against Corruption” and “Let’s Make Nigeria Great Again”.

In his keynote address, Magu stressed the need to unite to eliminate corruption, so as not jeopardise economic growth and prosperity.

“The cause and effects of corruption are very clear to everyone. It has been identified as one of the major factors responsible for the current state of the economy”, he said.

The EFCC boss urged Nigerians, and indeed youths to see corruption fight as a priority, which everyone must be involved in.

He added that corruption was the reason the country had been unable to transform its rich natural and human resource endowment into prosperity, and called for collaboration of all stakeholders in taming the malaise.

Speaking at the event, Anthony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, said, “Nigeria is taking the lead in the fight against corruption in Africa, because of the tremendous work EFCC is doing”.

He commended the EFCC for the good work and called on the anti-graft agency not to relent in its efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption. While calling on all to join the anti-corruption crusade, the NHRC noted that, “human right is the great casualty of corruption”.

In his remark, Comrade Ayuba Philibus Wabba, President, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, lauded the Commission’s achievements so far and pledged support of Nigerian workers to efforts geared towards wiping out corruption in Nigeria.

Wabba said that Nigerians have suffered in the hands of looters and it has become imperative, for everyone to join in the fight, as that is the only way the war can be won.

He wondered how a few individuals can borrow N5.4trillion and refuse to pay back, stressing that; it is high time Nigerians started to form alliance against the corrupt elements looting our common patrimony.

“We cannot continue to watch our country drift into intolerable poverty. It is time to act because corruption is a threat to our survival as a nation,” said Waba.

Update news