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02.10.2014 Nigeria

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: CSO CHARGES JONATHAN ON GOOD GOVERNANCE, ANTI-CORRUPTION

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION:  CSO CHARGES JONATHAN ON GOOD GOVERNANCE, ANTI-CORRUPTION
02.10.2014 LISTEN

As Nigeria celebrates her 54th independence anniversary, a Civil Society Organisation, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-MIIVOC has charged President Goodluck Jonathan to give an independence gift of good governance and commitment to the war against corruption to Nigerians.

Executive Director of the Initiative, Walter Duru gave the charge during an Independence Day chat with newsmen.

Duru, a Communication and Civil Society expert lamented over the inability of the present day Nigeria to attain the dreams of the fore-fathers and urged the President to fasten his seatbelt and make the difference.

He expressed dismay over what he described as pervasive corruption which has eaten deep into every fabric of the country's institutions and further challenged the President to take deliberate steps to check the menace.

“At 54, we are far from reaching the dreams of our ancestors. Although there are some significant improvements in the Nigeria of today, the journey to greatness is still very far. Majority of our leaders are ultra-corrupt. Corruption is Nigeria's single, most formidable problem and must be confronted with the seriousness it deserves. Good governance remains a mirage in our country. President Jonathan must act fast before it is dark. We want to see corrupt public officers disgraced out of office and jailed in Nigeria. We want to see anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria sanitized. Corruption is at the center of all Nigeria's woes. Nobody should be shielded. There should be no sacred cow. The legal framework against corruption should be strengthened. Only a holistic war against corruption will take us forward.”

Speaking further, the MIIVOC Executive Director commended the National Assembly for passing the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Center Bill, describing it as a plus to the country's war against money laundering and terrorism financing, even as he urged the lawmakers to make haste to pass the Proceeds of Crime, Mutual Legal Assistance, Whistle Blowers Protection and other related anti-corruption Bills pending at the National Assembly.

While charging the President on the timely signing into law of the NFIC Bill, Duru urged him to ensure that credible persons are appointed into leadership positions in the Center.

He warned against any attempt to hijack the Center through the backdoor by those he described as enemies of the country and charged all Nigerians to be vigilant.

He however used the occasion to wish Nigerians a happy 54th Independence anniversary.

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