By VINCENT UJUMADU
AWKA—Former Senate President, Dr. Ken. Nnamani, said yesterday that Nigeria’s effort at fighting corruption was not far-reaching enough.

Nnamani, who spoke during a lecture to mark the first convocation of Tansian University, Umunya, Oyi local government area of Anambra State, insisted that the anti-corruption fight in the country was not biting at all.

According to him, this informs the reason the cankerworm had continued in the country unabated.

He said: “Given the degree of corruption in Nigeria, more public officers should be behind bars now to deepen the fight against the monster called corruption to serve as deterrence to those aspiring for public office.

“The government of the day must strengthen and empower anti-corruption agencies in the country so that they can perform their function effectively and optimally.”

He challenged authorities of the university to groom students who would not only be above board, but would also contribute to the eradication of corruption in Nigeria, being the country’s main problem.

Nnamani observed that Tansian University was established on a high moral ground and bore the name of Rev Iwene Tansi, a man who is on his way to sainthood and who was always available to the people in the time of their needs.

He urged authorities of the university to introduce a compulsory course on Tansian philosophy which must be passed by the students before graduation, adding that such philosophy would guide the graduates throughout their career in life.

The former senate president justified the establishment of more private universities in Nigeria, but insisted that they should provide quality education, knowledge and contribute in the preservation of the people’s culture as all of them combine to produce sound and decent citizens.

Pro Chancellor of the university, Rev Monsignor John Bosco Akam, said there was a comprehensive plan to make the university a world class institution.

According to him, the university has zero tolerance for any form of corruption among the staff and students, especially the academic staff.

He stated that lecturers were mandated to publish their results on-line two weeks after examination, as failure to do so could lead to the lecturer losing his salary for the month or even dismissal.