Buhari to African Youths: Don’t compromise on corruption fight
By President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday charged African Youths not to compromise in the fight against corruption, but challenge it in their respective countries
The President who identified corruption as a major stumbling block to the realization of the seven (7) aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said corruption must be fought from all angles and avenues without ceasing.
Speaking at the launch of the Africa Youth Congress Against Corruption (( AYCAC2018) at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Buhari called for a united front led by the African Youth in the fight against corruption, adding that only such action “ can change this present narrative to a great story of African transformation”
The President, who quoted copiously from the late Nigerian anti-corruption crusader Gani Fawehinmi, to support his position, said “You do not justify your crime by a defence that there are other criminals”.
Buhari who is presiding over the event as the “ Champion of 2018 Africa Anti-Corruption Year, shared what he termed as the A, B, C of fighting corruption fight, with the youths, noted that young people across the continent remain the cornerstone of shaping the future of the fight against corruption.
“ A stands for ACTION. Let us all move from talk to action. I urge you to develop tangible projects in your community to instil transparency and accountability of the highest standard. I look forward to receiving your Creed of Transparency from this Congress with a view to forwarding the recommendations to the next Summit of the African Union in February next year.
“B” stands for BUILDING BRIDGES. The youth have a unique opportunity-spearhead the building of inter-generational and cross-sectoral bridges in our various communities. Often, fighting corruption requires partnerships with unlikely allies. Be open to exploring constructive partnerships with a wide base of actors. Again, I look forward to all of you joining the Transparency Champions Network that was created following the Regional Youth Consultations.
“C” stands for CULTURE. So, let us cultivate and equip ourselves with African culture, right attitude and mindset change that will enable us to stand firmly against corruption. By so doing, accountability and change will begin with you and me” he said.
“ My Highly Esteemed Young brothers and sisters from all over Africa, I believe that as we wind up the African Union Anti-Corruption Year, the young people across the continent remain the cornerstone of shaping the future of the fight against corruption. While our symbolic year may be ending, our campaign must not end, for our common future is even brighter.
The President is tasked with the responsibility of championing the African Union theme of the Year – “Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.”
The President paid glowing tributes to some Africa Youths who distinguished themselves including Moussa Kondo from Mali for his Accountability Lab in the Republic of Mali, who blazed the trail on how to build sustainable coalitions of “Accountapreneurs”, Maxence Melo, from the United Republic of Tanzania, founder of Jamii Forums for strengthening the viability of whistleblowing policy tools , as well as a Nigerian, Damilola Olawale, founder of Code IT for using technology to give young people the tools to demand transparency in the management of public resources.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja