Buhari Seeks Common African Position On Asset Recovery

• To Lead AU Anti-Corruption Fight

Photo Caption: President Buhari being congratulated by fellow African heads of government after his appointment in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday challenged leaders of African nations to develop a common position for the continent on recovery of public assets.

Buhari, who was reacting to his appointment at the ongoin African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, to champion the 2018 theme: “A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation,” dedicated to the fight against endemic corruption on the Continent,” pledged to do his utmost in the anti-corruption agenda “and make the impact we all hope for, during 2018 and beyond.

He lamented that the manifestation of corruption across the continent “is also a reflection of the need for stronger leadership and oversight institutions. Tackling corrupt acts and greed require a reorientation of our attitudes and perceptions.”

Calling for a change of mindset to win the fight, he spoke of the need for “retraining a greater awareness as a means to instill better and more transparent values in the political class and the citizenry, especially people in positions of trust.”

Nigeria, he continued has gone far into the implementation of the change agenda primarily aimed at fighting corruption, warning beforehand “that fighting corruption is not going to be a straightforward task and that corruption does fight back.

Corruption, he noted, “is indeed one of the greatest evils of our time. Corruption rewards those who do not play by the rules and also creates a system of distortion and diversion thereby destroying all efforts at constructive, just and fair governance.

“In tackling corruption, the Continent has made significant strides, putting in place legal and policy frameworks, notably the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC). However, the adoption of the legal and policy frameworks have not had the desired success in tackling this evil.”

After 15 years post-adoption of the African Union Convention, Buhari added that
“2018 provides a good starting point to take stock of progress made so far, assess what still needs to be done and devise new strategies to address new corruption challenges.

“It is true that our continent has witnessed sustained growth over the past two decades. Nonetheless, public confidence has been eroded by a focus on short-term priorities and payoffs, propelled by corruption, which too often leaves projects uncompleted and promises unfulfilled.”
Corruption, he continued, poses real threat to national security, unity and survival of the African State and people, he stressed, adding that “the African Union Agenda 2063, under Aspiration 3 recognizes that corruption erodes the development of a universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of the law.”

“While we may face some setbacks, we should remain resolute. Our common goal is to eradicate corruption in the best interest of our societies,” he stressed, expressing appreciation for the commitment, encouragement and support of fellow African Heads of State, a necessity for success in the task.

http://investdata.com.ng/2018/01/buhari-seeks-common-african-position-asset-recovery/