Nigeria no longer among 10 most corrupt countries – Sowore
*Says Buhari has made stealing, looting difficult
Omoyele Sowore, publisher, Sahara Reporters, says there is no more corruption in Nigeria because there is nothing else to steal.
Sowore said this in his presentation at the Tracking Faulty Towers workshop which held at the University of Kent, London.
He jocularly said President Muhammadu Buhari became sick as a result of the money stolen in Nigeria.
Sowore expressed delight that Nigeria is no longer among the ten most corrupt countries.
“There is no corruption in Nigeria anymore because there is nothing else to steal and loot,” he said.
“When Buhari saw how much has been looted, he became sick… We are happy that Nigeria is no longer among the ten top countries in the world.”
He said corruption thrives in Nigeria because of the weak institutions and compared Nigeria’s anti-corruption mechanisms with that of more developed countries.
Sowore also said western countries accepting loot from Nigeria should be blacklisted.
“Western countries accepting Nigeria and other countries stolen money should be the ones tagged corrupt,” he said.
“In my village, the custodian of stolen things is seen as the main criminal… People cannot steal in western countries because where to keep the stolen money is a challenge.
“The Western world made their system very difficult to steal and loot money.”
He also commended Buhari for putting in place strict measures to check corruption.
“Transferring money from abroad to Nigeria has a limit and the charges are high but in Nigeria, we don’t have such until Buhari came into power,” he said.
“We have the duty to challenge our leaders and the primitive accumulation of wealth Nigeria.
“We need a serious re-orientation programme for the youth on the belief of quick wealth accumulation through corruption and crime. We need to let them know that the only way is through honest means and hard work.”
Bolaji Owanasoye, executive secretary of the presidential advisory committee against corruption (PACAC), also admitted that Nigeria is improving in its fight against “the infamous tag”.
“I am very happy to read recently that Nigeria is not among the top ten corrupt countries in the world,” Owanasoye said.
“That is an improvement that shows something is being done right to fight corruption and crime in the country.”
He commended the current administration for introducing the whistleblowing policy and challenged the citizens to take up the task of reporting corruption if the policy ends up being reversed.
“Nigeria whistleblowing policy is celebrated because of reward attached to it but if revoked tomorrow, citizens should still be devoted to report corruption and crimes,” he said.
“A pervasive and endemic culture of silence which allows corruption and sin to thrive is one of the challenges the Nigeria whistle blower policy face.
“The culture of acquiescence which makes corruption appear legitimate is also a challenge we have in Nigeria.
“Nigerians have both moral and legal duties to report crime and corruption as it enhances rule of law and peace of security of society.
“The inability to improve rule of law and governance in a weak state reinforces underdevelopment and vice-versa.
“When a state demonstrates the political will to hold wrongdoers accountable and creates a dependable disclosure frame work the citizens will see it as a duty to report crime and corruption without fear or prejudice.”
