Friday in New York, President Buhari bemoaned the fact that corruption has stunted economic expansion across Africa and stained the nations that make up the continent.
According to the President, Africa is still at the bottom of the development index, and the concerted efforts that have been made in the past few years need to be maintained and deepened by good governance and accountability that are guided by the rule of law. He also stated that Africa is still at the far end of the development index.
In a statement that was released on Buhari’s behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, the president urged African leaders to work tirelessly to rid their continent of the scourge of corruption. He also said it was a direct result of the problem that Africa has stayed near the bottom of the global development index.
At a High-Level side event on “Food Security Response: Combating Illicit Financial Flows and Securing Asset Returns for Sustainable Development,” held on the margins of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the President spoke in his capacity as the African Union Champion on efforts to eliminate corruption on the continent. “Food Security Response: Combating Illicit Financial Flows and Securing Asset Returns for Sustainable Development” was the name of the event.
At the event that was co-hosted by the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian leader stated that it was an honor for him to serve as the AU Champion on anti-corruption since 2018. He went on to provide his insights on the impact of corruption on the continent and the way ahead.
‘’As you are all aware, this will be my last official participation at the United Nations General Assembly as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
‘’I remain honoured and privileged to have been President of Nigeria for two terms, and I am grateful to the African Union for making me the Continental Organization’s Champion for efforts to eliminate corruption nationally and continent-wide.
‘’Over the years, we came to the painful realisation of how deeply embedded corruption has become in our countries and continents, as well as how corrosive it can be.
‘’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, and deepened by good governance and accountability that are guided by the rule of law.
‘’I have strong faith that Africa and our national governments can do this with strong resolve and commitment to eliminating Illicit Financial Flows”.
