Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged Nigerians to change their perception about corruption toward developing a positive nation.
Osinbajo spoke at the launch of Corruption Busters by Creative Youth Initiative Against Corruption (CYIAC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Lekki, Lagos State.
The event, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), was organised by the civil society group to commemorate the 2017 International Anti-Corruption day.
The Vice President shared the same view with Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu, diplomats and civil society organisations at the event.
Osinbajo said: “We should re-examine ourselves and move toward changing our perception and our country will one day, overcome this menace known as corruption.’’
According to him, the president has always reinstated severally that, “if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will definitely kill us”, which is why he had given strict instructions on tackling corruption.
He said no nation could survive with the presence of corruption in its system, adding: “Corruption is one thing that will kill us if we don’t fight it hard indeed”.
“We need strong willed men and women who are committed to fighting corruption, though we have had notable committed persons but we need more people who are crusaders and zealous,” he said.
Osinbajo said one of the very important resources in tackling corruption was not just arresting victims and detaining them, but having to reform them.
The Vice President lauded the CYIAC group for taking a bold step in complimenting the efforts of the government by reaching out to the youths to join in the fight against corruption.
“I have not lost my zeal in this commitment to fight corruption, especially with the involvement of the young people who are vulnerable targets in building or losing integrity,” he said.