Friday, April 8, 2016

Corruption Has Eaten Deep Into Every Fabric Of The Nigerian Society – Farida Waziri

ILORIN-Former Chairman, Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri on Thursday urged Nigerians to partner with the federal government in the ongoing task of waging war against corruption in the country,even as she said that the ongoing war is not selective as widely believed in some quarters. Farida Waziri, former Chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commisssion.
According to her, “the government alone cannot wage war against corruption, hence, all people irrespective of their status should complement the current effort of the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the menace in the country.



On the allegation that the ongoing corruption crusade was selective, Waziri said, “I disagree. This is not issue of federal character. Are you looking for a job that you will say unless certain areas commit; then you wait for another zone to commit? The former EFCC boss disclosed this in Ilorin, Kwara state capital shortly after attending the commendation service organised by the Emmanuel Baptists Church, Sabo-Oke, Ilorin in honour of the former Inspector General of Police, Late Chief Sunday Adewusi. She noted that,” corruption is a monumental endemic that had eaten deep into the fabric of the society and the people of the country should support President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government to address the menace once and for all”.

She also stated that,”The ongoing war by the federal government is going on very well but the anti-corruption fight is a monumental war because corruption has eaten deep into every fabric of the Nigerian society so it is something we all must fight. “It is not just for President Muhammadu Buhari alone. It is for everybody.

If you know the dangers of corruption, you will know that all Nigerians should come together and say ‘enough is enough.’ “Because the rich man is a victim, the poor man is a victim, the old man is a victim and the child, the young man and the students are victims. “Those who are looking for jobs are all victims so it is time that we all support this president to say enough is enough”.

On the argument that the fight against corruption is targeted at members of the opposition,PDP,Mrs Waziri eexplained,”The thing is that it will be tested in the court of law. If you have no evidence, then you can not arrest and arraign somebody in the court of law. So those saying that it is selective, they are enemies of Nigeria. That is my belief because if I pick you, I will build a case file that can stand the test of time.” Continuing she said, “I will file charges in the court of law, I will bring witnesses to prove my case and the proof is proof beyond any reasonable doubt”. On her advice to the current EFCC leadership in the country, Waziri said, “The EFCC leadership is doing their best and they should follow due process and the rule of law. Finish.

When you work; you work within rules and regulation, you will have no problem”. Earlier in his sermon at the commendation service, the Minister -Incharge of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Sabo-Oke, Ilorin, Reverend Olawuyi James charged political office holders in the country to see their positions as temporary which should be used to bring better change to the doorsteps of the populace rather than impoverishing them with obnoxious policies and programmes. He believed that, such step would also go a long way to accelerate the socio well being of the society. According to the cleric,”Your appointment into various political offices is a temporary one and should be used to add values to the teeming populace”. He said that, “I want you to know that, God is the only permanent and your political offices are temporary one that would come to an end one day”.

 “The essence of electing you into various political offices is to serve the people and not to enrich yourself and thereby bringing new lease of life to the people and not to impoverish them”, he added James stressed further that,
“The present political office holders in the country would clock one year in office in few weeks and they should search their minds if they have done what is expected of them since they assumed the leadership positions of this country and they should know that, one day, one day, their tenure would come to and end. “They should be reminded that this positions they are occupying would come to pass one day and therefore they must rise up to bring new lease of life to the citizenry ” He commended late IGP Adewusi for using his past positions as head of the police authorities to move the nation forward.

He also said that, late IGP Adewusi has been in fore front in the work of God during his life time which according to him has made him a good christian throughout his life time. He however prayed to Almighty God to give late Chief Adewusi an eternal rest and prayed to the family to bear the fortitude irreparable loss. Those in attendance at the commendation service include, former chairman of EFCC, Mrs. Wasiri Farida, former governor of Oyo state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, deputy governor of Kwara state, Elder Peter Kisra, top government functionaries both in Kwara and Oyo state.

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