‘Corruption may sink Nigeria’

A former presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy, Chief Olu Falae, on Tuesday in Lagos warned that corruption might “sink Nigeria’’ if it was not tackled headlong.

Falae spoke at the public presentation of a book titled “Post Independence Political Evolution of Western Nigeria: Chief Obafemi Awolowo Factor.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria  reported that the book was written by an octogenarian, Pa Adio Mosanya, a former youth leader of the defunct Action Group.

Falae, who described corruption as endemic, called for a concerted effort by Nigerians to stamp out the scourge.

“In state and federal government agencies, senior civil servants are now businessmen and women and have incorporated their own companies.

 “The best imposing edifices and buildings are built by serving public and civil servants that did not take loans from banks.

“This (corrupt practices) should stop so that we can move forward as a country.

“Public office holders should emulate the welfarist programmes of the late Awo.

“Awo set standards that had been very difficult to surpass,’’said Falae, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

He regretted that after 53 years of nationhood and the civil war, the country was still grappling with the issue of disunity and corruption.

Falae also advised the youths to embrace politics of service and dedication to humanity.

He added, “They should not to go there to amass wealth.

“There is nothing bad being ambitious, but you must define your goals. Let money be your servant and not you being servant to money.’’

One of the daughters of the late Awolowo, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, charged the Nigerian youths to be committed to causes they believed in.

“As the author was to the Action Group as a youth, our youths should be committed to the ideals they believe in.

“Through that we will be overcoming 99 per cent of our political challenges,’’ a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands and The Hague said.

Awolowo-Dosunmu urged them to always put integrity over and above money politics to gain recognition and confidence of the people.