President Goodluck Jonathan has lamented that in spite of institutional reforms aimed at fighting corrupt practices, Nigerians, through their actions encourage graft.
He also said both the public and private sectors were involved in corruption but stated that he would not give out their names “so that I won’t be attacked.”
The President spoke while declaring open the 54th annual conference of the Nigerian Economic Society in Abuja on Tuesday.
The conference, which has as its theme, “Institutions, institutional reforms and economic development,” is the single largest gathering of economists in the country.
Jonathan argued that if Nigerians did not “reward corrupt practices” through their actions, those involved in them would have no need to continue.
He said, “I want a society where all of us will frown upon people who come up with what they are not supposed to have.
“(If) a young man who just started a job and within six months or a year comes up with a car of N7m to N15m and you clap for him, then you are rewarding corruption.
“So for us as a nation to bring corruption down, it is not just blaming government or blaming the police. but all individuals must frown upon people who have what they are not supposed to have; who live in houses they are not supposed to live in; who drive cars they are not supposed to drive and who wear expensive suits they are not supposed to wear.
“And until Nigerians are able to do this, I don’t think we will get to where we want to go.”
Advising that the war against corruption should not be left to the government alone, Jonathan said both public and private institutions were also involved in sharp practice.
He advised that the country should stop creating an environment where people would be tempted to take what belonged to the public.
The President said “ When you talk about corruption, the private sector is involved; the public sector is involved; even individuals. But I wouldn’t want to mention names so that I will not be attacked.
“But I know that if collectively we don’t reward corruption, people would not be attracted to corrupt practices but when we all reward corruption, then of course, we will be tempted to go in that direction.”
He however said his administration would continue to focus on how to strengthen all anti-corruption agencies to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
Jonathan explained that his administration’s approach to fighting graft was targeted at building institutions that had the capacity to overcome corrupt influences.
This approach, according to him, will use the rule of law as a framework.
In this regard, he said the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Related Offences Commission had been repositioned to ensure effective, efficient and transparent way of managing corruption and corrupt practices.
He said that a major principle underlying the implementation of his transformation agenda was the unwavering conviction that reforms must not be centred on individuals, no matter how strong they might be.
Rather, he said his administration recognised the fact that in order for reforms to be sustainable, they must be driven by strong, sound and effective processes and institutions.
On the management of government finances, Jonathan said that the nation’s budget was now being managed electronically.
He said, “For many years, the process had been manual – government officials carrying documents and files from one office to another.
“This manual system created opportunities for corrupt practices and also introduced many ghost workers and ghost pensioners to the payrolls.
“Today, we have put in place computerised systems and processes to manage the government payroll and also government finances.”
At the event, the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and a former Minister of Health, Prof Eyitayo Lambo, were conferred with a fellowship award of the NES.
The institute had only conferred its fellowship award on 38 distinguished economists in its 56 years of existence. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Why give an example using a young man? You should have used your fellow elites that are looting billions that these young men emulate. Why do you say you will not mention their names? Well, as you see the corruption and refuse to mention names then you are also corrupt. You cannot monopolise looting. God save us from these rulers and our ignorant masses that listen to these comments and do not see a problem with it
ReplyDeleteWhat happens to Alameis. Your brova that you gave state pardon still wanted in UK and the release of Al-Mustapha for your selfish 2015 ambition also dinning with the Abacha family, hypocrites
ReplyDeleteEvery Nigerian should search their conscience. The President is not wrong to say that many Nigerians encourage corruption.
ReplyDeleteEvery Nigerian should change because it is not only the government. In fact, who is the government? Are the civil servants, police, custom officers, bus driver, senator, governor, university student and others not Nigerians?
My people we all need to change. Corruption is destroying our country and depriving us of good things.
What a tool-box. If you fear 'attack', go back to otueke. You have no business in leadership! What a tool!
ReplyDeleteJ.
As u don't want to respect our president u will never be a head in any where u are.cos ur grade grant father was ...... So u too want to .......o!
ReplyDeleteSorry Mr. President - you are the number 1 encourager of corruption in the country. So numerous examples abound, but the few I can mention here include your 'state pardon' granted to your kit and kin - Alams, the heroic welcome given to Bode George by the PDP you lead, now dining with the Abachas that looted this country wealth. Also, we know corruption is not just stealing money, but include other things such as misuse of state apparati(police, military, SSS etc.) which you, your wife and your loyalists often misuse with impunity and here you come talking us Nigerians into discouraging giving accolade to some quick-rich Nigerians? Live by example then we follow you. Also, knowing a corrupt person and failing to disclose him or her implies you too are corrupt! no two way about it! Let's look at your comment also that you fear being attacked, therefore do not want to mention names - if you as the President, Commander in Chief of all the Forces (visible and invisible Forces, is afraid to mention names, who then is the ordinary Nigerian that wants to be attacked!!!? Mtsewwwww, Mr. Goodluck, take your time, just retrieve back to your temporary abode (Aso Villa) and cool down. We don hear you, you think say we Nigerians be mumu?
ReplyDeleteU are rite... Fg should be ashamed of him self...
Deletemy brother you are rite
ReplyDeleteShame of a Nation!!!
ReplyDeleteMore Shame, coming from Baba SuwE(JG).
What has the govt done to eradicate poverty and fine baras(begging)
Jonathan should give us alternatives to celebrating corruption by providing good roads,electricity, jobs,food etc.
Why do I need to sing praises of a corrupt person if a state of the art metro takes me to and fro daily, don't have to beg to eat and sleep soundly with my Ibo fan with 24 /7 electricity?
Somebody should pls tell our dear president to mention names of corrupt officials now or keep quite for ever.
This shows he has no clue about good governance
BabaPupa!!!!
Bro JONA! What do U expect From the BODY when the HEAD is CORRUPT? Remember, CORRUPTION is in the BLOOD of EVERY NIGERIAN-U & I inclusive. And this is as a RESULT of BAD LEADERSHIP over the years. People have SUFFERED so much that any little opportunity that STRIKE to become RICH.
ReplyDeleteSo JONA continue to GIVE our NATIONAL HOUSE OF COMMOTIONS "GHANA MUST GOs" to SUPPORT Ur AGENDA for those that will END CORRUPTION are not yet BORN.
Give EL-MATOSKY an inch near our TREASURY & I go LOOT am DRY. Hmmm!
Anonymous 8:05, you sound like somebody who doesn't think before saying something. I agree that an average Nigerian is corrupt, but when the head is bad is bad, what do you think happens to the body? The Nigerian govt has made Nigerians and the rest of the world believe She is fighting corruption. But all the evidences around says the opposite. Presently, GEJ is the most corrupt Nigerian, 'cos he is not only participating, he is also encouraging it. What do you make of sack of Ministers labelled "Disloyal" and appointing THIEVES that are loyal? SANGO WILL KILL ALL OF THEM
ReplyDeleteLike head like body. *smiles*
ReplyDeleteIf Bro JONA said that OBJ is CORRUPT person he will not allow him to go second term, that is the problem we have in Nigeria now, how can we do it ????? that is our problem in Nigeria
ReplyDeleteI don't agree much with Mr President but on this one I do. We encourage graft in Nigeria a lot. From the policeman to the messenger to the factory worker to the oily politician. Everyone is corrupt
ReplyDeleteBro JONA is a good President but Nigerians don't know. pls can you guys tell me what causing problem in PDP, CORRUPTION
ReplyDeleteJonah!! Must U̶̲̥̅̊ talk? U̶̲̥̅̊ shld av allow ur wife to talk.My fellow Nigerians let's forget sentiment in 2015, Honestly Jonathan is not capable to rule this country.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, its just like GEJ coming out to say he has lost the war/battle or rather Mantle of Leadership!! REVOLUTION GUYS!!!
ReplyDeleteAm not sure this is coming from GEJ, because corruption start from him, because is number one citizen of Nigeria, which made him a Nigerian. GEJ corruption level: 16 is greater than 19, 5 is greater than 27. He also said we reward corrupt people in the society, he (GEJ) should come and explain reason for Alams pardon and NGF election, after all he recognize the second JONA. In other not to reward corrupt people, myself, my household and my community will not vote for GEJ in case he decides no run or fly again, I think with that, have satisfy my conscience not to reward corrupt people. Entitle to my opinion.
ReplyDeleteCorruption start frm room and palour of all of us na people we see we they shout frm church, age group meeting etc so what are we talking about i no if anyone of you talking and disgrace this man GEJ fortunate to be in that position u will do more than that....the way u dey disgrace this man same shall be applicable to u anyday anytime in any position you found urself
ReplyDeleteThis so funny. Well this statement will be valid as long as 'NIGERIANS' include the President. Even then if u allocate 1.3 Billion naira to ur kitchen, grant pardon to 1st and only governor convicted for stealing public and still presently a wanted personnel in a foreign country,consider 16 more than 19 in electoral numbers and yet to prosecute any official of the petroleum ministry despite overwhelming evidence of fraud then may be morally u are not in a position to make this statement...Odun Tutu
ReplyDelete