Katsina –  Dr Kwaghmande Joseph, a sociology lecturer at the  Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, says Nigeria must tackle corruption in order to improve its image in the international community.

Joseph said this on Sunday  in a paper entitled:  “The Challenges of Corruption on Ethical Practices and Values of Nigeria in the 21st Century.’’

He presented the paper at  an interactive summit on anti-corruption, ethics and values  organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values in collaboration with an NGO,  Global Network, Monitoring and Development Initiative.

The don said that corruption had  adversely affected the country’s economic growth and development.

“Corruption has remained a clog in the wheel of  its (Nigeria) development as a nation.

“All efforts toward development are thwarted by corruption; corruption creates  room for more costly public investments and low government revenues.

“The cumulative effects of these is poverty, poor infrastructure development, insecurity, unemployment and fall in ethical standard,” he said.

Joseph, who noted that some  foreign investors were afraid to invest in the country over fears of fraud and insecurity, called for  re-orientation of values and ethical standard.

He urged families to inculcate honesty, prudence, love for one another and respect for constituted authority in their members.

Joseph also suggested that those found guilty of financial impropriety should be made to face the full wrath of the law while steps must be taken to alleviate poverty and enhance standard of living.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the NGO,  Mr Muhammad Haruna, said the summit was organised for local government chairmen, vice chairmen and secretaries of  councils in the state.

He called for a synergy among stakeholders in the ongoing fight against corruption for the country to make progress.

The Chairman of Faskari Local Government Council, Alhaji Isyaku Ahmad, warned that local councils should not be viewed as the most corrupt institution in the country.

Ahmad explained that the councils were the closest tier of government to the people and their impact could be felt and seen.

He also advocated  death penalty for any public office holder found guilty of corruption. (NAN)