Press statement from the presidency

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has declared
that nobody has a right to pocket public money stating
that corruption by its very nature is antithetical and
inimical to the development of any nation. Prof. Osinbajo
noted that everyone needs to uphold the virtues of truth
and justice if the country must make progress in the
anti-corruption campaign emphasizing that people
should not give the anti-corruption fight any ethnic
coloration in order to escape punishment.

He explained that ‘’when there is a fight against corruption, it is
not an ethnic fight; it is not an ethnic battle. People can come
up with all sorts of things and say it is selective. People say the
reason why a man is being tried for corruption is because he is
a Yoruba man, or he is from the North or from the South. We
should not encourage this kind of ideas.’’ The Vice President
disclosed this on Thursday, 27th August 2015 evening when he
received in his office the delegation of the Yoruba Traditional
Council in the Northern States and Abuja led by the Chairman,
His Royal Highness, Ambassador Mohammed Arigbabuwo. Prof.
Osinbajo observed that there is no country in the world that has
become great through corruption noting that as a matter of fact
‘’the history of the world shows that corruption has ruined many
empires.’’

‘’When those empires attain greatness and they begin to allow
corruption, then they collapse’’, the Vice President noted.
Stating the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the
fight corruption, Prof. Osinbajo said ‘’ President Muhammadu
Buhari has committed this current government to a pathway of
integrity. ‘’For the first time, I think in a very long time, the
President is saying that this country can only move forward if
we show ourselves as men and women of integrity’’, he noted.

The Vice President therefore sought the support of the
traditional rulers in the crusade against corruption emphasizing
that Nigerian cultures abhor corruption. While commending the
representatives of the Yoruba communities from the Northern
states for living peacefully with their hosts in their various
communities, he implored them to imbibe the attributes of
‘‘Omoluabi’’ which he explains represents the positive virtues of
forthrightness and integrity. [Omoluabi means a forthright, loyal
and respectful person] He declared that ‘’ I think you have
demonstrated clearly by living in the north, living in Abuja and
making your home and businesses here, that you believe in this
country.

That shows you believe in the unity of this country and I think
that is very commendable.’’ In his own address at the occasion,
the Chairman of the Yoruba Traditional Council in the Northern
States and Abuja, who led the delegation commended the vision
and philosophy behind the Change Agenda of the Buhari
administration. While declaring the total support of his Council
to the anti-corruption crusade, Ambassador Arigbabuwo
acknowledged that the much desired change is already being
felt.

‘’In the last three months, you will agree that many things have
started taking positive shape for the people of this country such
as constant electricity which has helped greatly to stabilize
small scale and medium scale industries.’’

Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President
(Media &Publicity)