By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Saturday said building strong institutions and attitudinal change on the part of Nigerians are crucial to win the anti-graft war in the country.

According to Ribadu, corruption has undermined the fabric of the state’s legitimacy, weakened institutions and diverted critical resources that are meant to develop the country.

Represented by the Director General of the Department of State Services, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, the former EFCC Chairman disclosed this while delivering the 9th Oba Sikiru Adetona Annual Professorial Lecture of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, entitled, “Corruption and National Security: Impacts and Consequences.”

While saluting the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the NSA described the traditional ruler as a legend, courageous and visionary leader who is always known to be standing for the truth and fighting against corruption and misgovernance.

The NSA said, “We cannot talk about the insecurity in Nigeria without acknowledging that corruption has played a role in eroding public trust, compromising law enforcement effectiveness and some cases enabling impunity.

“Whether it is the diversion of funds meant for military hardware or the undermining of due process in arms procurement, the impact is clear weakening of national capacity to respond to threat.”

Ribadu, however, said that the country’s security and corruption challenges are not beyond redemption, but the path to their resolution runs through the corridor of integrity, leadership and institutional reforms.

The former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission added that “therefore we must fight corruption not by responding, but by building a strong system that prevents corruption itself.

“Arrest and prosecution of corrupt officials in Nigeria are only reactive, we must build a system that will make it impossible for the people to be corrupt even if they want to be.

“Corruption is endemic in the country; it cuts across individuals, too, not government alone. So the fight must be institutional and attitudinal.

“People must resolve to fight corruption, it cannot only be the government, the people must join in the fight too, because who also must not take must also not give, what is our common wealth must not be stolen by anyone. The fight must start from all of us, not for the government alone”

Ribadu also said that the country is deploying all its arsenals to combat its security challenge, saying that due to the nation’s superior firepower, over 160,000 Boko Haram combatants have surrendered, more than 300 commanders neutralised, while another 2,500 insurgents had been rehabilitated and reintegrated back into society.

He said that the government of President Bola Tinubu recognised that security is no longer the exclusive domain of the military and has therefore always called for the support of all, including the local governance, civil society religious leaders, traditional institutions, youth, women groups, private sector and technology partners to achieve a more secure nation.

Paying tribute to the royal father, Ribadu described Oba Adetona as a traditional ruler par excellence, a very courageous voice in the fight against corruption and chief promoter of good governance.

The NSA said, “Oba Adetona’s selfless service to humanity, enduring support for education, and commitment to good governance stand as a beacon of visionary leadership.

“At 90 years of age, Kabiyesi remains an extraordinary symbol of dignity, wisdom and peace. May his reign continue to be long, impactful, and crowned with tranquillity.”

Speaking at the event, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of OOU, Prof Oluwatoyin Ashiru described Oba Adetona as a living legend in leadership and traditional royalty.

He said, “Kabiyesi’s impact on Olabisi Onabanjo University is monumental. He is without exaggeration, our most generous individual benefactor.

“His endowment fund laid the foundation for the now-renowned Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona School for Governance Studies. But he didn’t stop there.

“He gave us buildings, residences, a multipurpose hall, a Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge, and even upgraded the roads on campus.”

Ashiru said that the School of Governance, donated by the royal father, which has now been taken over by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, has consistently grown in leaps and bounds, contributing immensely to nation-building through different capacity-building training and workshops.

The Pro-Chancellor stated that “what makes a traditional ruler’s legacy especially powerful is not
just his generosity, but the values he lives by. For over six decades, he has stood for integrity, truth, and moral courage.

“He has taught us that tradition and transparency can go hand in hand — that a leader must not only wear a crown but also carry a conscience”.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Deji Agboola, also described the Awujale as a royal icon, an enigma, a philanthropist, committed educationist and courageous leader who has successfully written in the annals of the country’s history a highly inspirational story to inspire generations yet unborn to embrace selfless service.

Prof Agboola prayed the Almighty God to further preserve Oba Sikiru Adetona to celebrate many more glorious years in sound health and peace of mind.

Congratulating the royal father on his 91st birthday, the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu explained that Oba Adetona’s majestic reign has not only been defined by longevity but by legacy of wisdom, courage and uncommon progressive and visionary leadership.

Gov Abiodun said that Awujale, for over six decades, has continually served as a moral compass and highly respected custodian of culture whose noble and selfless contributions to building a virile, prosperous and democratic Nigeria are worthy of emulation by all.

The governor said that the state and the country at large would continue to celebrate the monarch for being a beacon of good governance, selfless service, statesmanship and a role model of uncommon standing, praying that the Almighty God will further preserve the royal father for many more fruitful years.

The Chairperson, Governing Board of the Professorial Chair in Governance, Princess Adetoun Adetona-Daramola, who represented Oba Adetona at the event, lauded the organiser of the lecture while urging everyone to prioritise integrity and truthfulness to move the country forward.

Other dignitaries at the annual lecture were the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land and former Chairman, Governing Council of OOU, Dr Sunny Kuku, the Olota of Ota, Oba Prof Abdulkabir Obalanlege, the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba Abdulrasaq Adenugba among others.