Corruption thrives and “people get away with all manner of questionable things when accountants are unable to check them”, says President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the 49th annual conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), the President said because of the damaging effects of corruption on the country’s economy, his administration was doing everything possible to curb the malaise.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, President Buhari said corruption and impunity grow when accountability is disregarded.
Urging accountants to always see corruption as a gross violation of human right, he described his administration’s fight against graft as a struggle for nation building for the future generation.
“For the majority of our people, the millions that are in hardship, the sick, the helpless, corruption is the major reason why they cannot go to school, why we have few equipment and doctors in our hospitals.
“Corruption diverts public resources, thereby causing much suffering, deprivation and unnecessary deaths in the country,” he said.
He said if his government does not slay corruption with the passion it deserves, the people will not get the result they need.
The President said government will continue to provide the desired leadership to the fight with the optimism that the glorious days will soon come.
“Corruption, our greatest enemy will certainly fight back but we must continue to fight to effect a change to our value system,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the initiative of ICAN would greatly assist government at all levels to be more transparent and accountable to the people.
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