Nigeria: Fighting Corruption is More Difficult Than Civil War - Yayale

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Leadership (Abuja)

8 August 2008
Posted to the web 8 August 2008

Atang Izang

Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mahmoud Yayale Ahmed, has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri, to brace up to fight corruption in the country which, he said, was more difficult than fighting a civil war.

The minister stated this yesterday in his office when the anti-graft boss paid him a courtesy visit for the first time since she assumed the mantle of leadership of the agency.

"I have no doubt about your ability as a very successful police officer and lawyer of repute, but I want to remind you that fighting corruption in this country is more difficult than fighting a civil war", he said.

Yayale was of the view that because of the lack of application of basic rules in fighting corruption, she should ensure the strict adherence to the rule of law without fear or favour.

The minister also observed that since it was God who bestowed on her the burden of leading the agency, she should neither be discouraged nor intimidated by anybody in the course of her duty.

"Nobody should intimidate you while executing your duties, but ensure that you justify the confidence reposed on you by President Yar'Adua to lead this great country and great people," Yayale emphasised.

Similarly, the minister also congratulated Mrs Waziri on her appointment as well as extolled her leadership and professional qualities as "a rare Nigerian who is well informed on crimes investigation community".

Earlier on, the EFCC chairman said she was in the minister's office to pay homage as well as to intimate him with the ongoing crisis in the Niger Delta, which should worry every reasonable Nigerian.

"The crisis in the Niger Delta region is very worrisome, I want us to stop all these kidnappings so that everybody can have peace in the region and country at large", he declared.

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