ABUJA, JANUARY 11, 2017 – Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday regretted that some Nigerians still see politicians who steal from the treasury as heroes.
Also, the National Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, Mr. Ekpo Nta, has said corruption has become a big and lucrative in Nigeria despite the war being waged against the scourge.
Osinbajo also noted that many others did not see anything wrong when the politicians involved in stealing the nation’s commonwealth were their kinsmen.
According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President spoke while granting audience to a delegation of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption led by its Chairman, Prof. Itse Sagay, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said to correct the wrong perception by Nigerians on corruption, all anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria must step up their engagement with the public.
He said, “How we communicate what is going on regarding corruption is important. There are still those who think a politician who steals, is some kind of Robin Hood, instead of being vilified.
“Some people believe that if ‘my kinsman steals it is ok.’ It is important to completely delegitimise corruption especially through the way it is communicated.”
Osinbajo however commended the committee which he said had done very well removing skepticism on whether anti-corruption initiative can work well in the country.
In his comments at the meeting, Sagay said PACAC had engaged with all anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, including the police and the judiciary.
The ICPC boss, who was represented by Mr. Kingsley Obi, at the inauguration of Students Anti-Corruption Vanguard in Fountain University, Osogbo on Tuesday, blamed greed and insensitivity of those in leadership position among other factors, for corruption.
