….says he was ridiculed, cause he didn’t steal money

Corruption has dealt us a death blow …NAS

By Ike Uchechukwu CALABAR

Former Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for Recovery of Public Property(SPIP)under the president Muhammadu Buhari ‘s administration, Chief Obono Obla Esq, has berated citizens for failing to intensify the fight against corruption.

According to him even his brothers at home in Cross River State mocked him just as other young people made jest of him for not having money to give to them as hand becuase he refused to steal money.

Obla made the remarks while speaking at the 16th Ralph Opara, Memorial Lecture Series organized by National Association of Seadogs which took place weekend in Calabar.

Speaking on the theme: “Sink or Swim? Nigeria ‘s future and the impact of corruption on the socio- political economy of Nigeria, Obla asserted that corruption begins right from our homes calling on concerted effort to pull out the cankerworm of corruption from the system with out fear or favour.

“My brothers from Ugep refused to visit me when I was detained for 21 days during those dark days of trial.

“Everyone derided me, saying I was stupid because I didn’t steal money to share to them. That is the problem with Nigerians.

Obla described Nigeria as a country that is filled with papers but with less while calling NAS to come out of their cocoon to stamp out the cankerworm called corruption so that Nigeria can once again reclaim its lost glory.

His words” Ultimately, a multifaceted approach is required to combat corruption effectively. NGOs, CSOs and the government must collaborate to create a society that values transparency, accountability and integrity.

On his part, National President of NAS, Dr Joseph Otei, bemoaned how corruption has dealt a death blow on Nigeria and Nigerians, negatively affecting the lives of the citizens.

He called for concerted effort by all if the nation was to be set free from corruption so that Nigerians can witness an egalitarian society just like developed climes as we have all it takes to even become better.