By Nuhu Ribadu
Protocols,
Thank you for the opportunity to address this gathering.
I am always delighted to address a gathering of passionate young people, more so one that is made up of professional young women and men that are working hard to address fundamental challenges our country.
I am, therefore, happy to associate myself with CODE and the great work you guys are doing. It takes courage to chase one’s dream and develop a career out of it. I have followed your work, your grassroots tracking of development projects, budget tracking and ensuring that gaps between policies and what is on the ground, are very well underlined. I admire this resolve, courage and commitment to positive change.
This grassroots mobilization for social accountability which CODE and a few other groups in the country are engaged in is probably the best thing citizens can do for their country. For democracy to evolve, for citizens to yield the full benefit of good governance, citizens involvement at the grassroots is essential. In modern governance, citizens are not meant to take the back seat. Indeed, citizens must take the lead, set the agenda and monitor implementation of government programmes, if they are to witness the kind society they aspire to.
And it is within this context that one can properly appreciate what CODE is doing, the act of mobilizing Nigerians at the lowest level of society to understand their role, the power they have as citizens and how they can use those inherent tools for the advancement of their respective communities. Mobilization for social accountability is a bottom-up approach to development that can guarantee transparency and accountability in the society by ensuring that those who are in positions of responsibility are put to task and people get value for money.
We should all get involved as citizens. This is the least we can do as responsible citizens, and with the availability of modern technology tools, such advocacies have been simplified and could make far-reaching impact in terms of policy and decision-making.
Beyond this, we as Nigerians must also stand to be counted on the intractable issue which poses a bigger challenge, the corruption malaise. Importantly, at a time like this, when a clear line is remerging, demarcating agents of progress and those of bent on stopping them, as citizens, we have a duty not to be on the fence but make a clear choice between these contending forces.
There is no doubt that the current anti-corruption regime in the country is working. We have seen the feat attained in recent past and the ongoing effort to stall it. However, Nigerians must take a stand between those who are working diligently to get back our stolen money and those who are poised to scuttle such efforts.
We are witnessing essentially a classical case of state capture in which individuals, including those in high public office, use their position to undermine the state and its policies because of their personal interest.
Unfortunately, some people who supposed to be part of efforts at restitution are colluding with those who have stolen our commonwealth to frustrate the work of those who are genuinely committed in reversing the ugly trend. And as this unholy alliance of corrupt people in and out of government takes root, it is us, the ordinary Nigerians, that are the victims.
Those who have been a stumbling block to the war against corruption clearly do not understand or feel the biting impact of corruption. If they do, they would not put up the kind of resistance we are currently witnessing in the efforts to make a success of the anti-corruption war.
Yes, you may not like someone’s face or even disagree with his strategy but that should never be a reason for you to reject fundamental truths and the good things that such a person is doing. It is also no excuse for you to personalize your duty or responsibility or undermine efforts that are beneficial to us as a country.
I have chosen to take a stand on this because I have passed through this myself and I see similar signs of those dark moments of 2007 hovering all over us. It is always a dangerous cocktail when some corrupt elements in power decide to side with private interests outside government, using the rule of law as a ruse, to muscle sincere efforts to tackle corruption. We haven’t yet finish paying for the mistakes of 2007 and the years after. We should not allow history to repeat itself in this regard.
Personally, I believe this administration is doing a wonderful and patriotic duty by putting the fight against corruption on the front burner. Corruption is a serious ailment afflicting this nation and by facing it headlong, the Buhari administration is doing us a whole lot of service.
At the implementation level, I am of the opinion that Ibrahim Magu and his team are doing a great job and they need the support of all well-meaning Nigerians. I know how tough this work is, and I can appreciate the challenges they are contending with. We must support and encourage them. Not because we like or dislike them but because they are offering a selfless national service, and they are doing it very well.
Ladies and gentlemen, as young people, this is your country. You have higher stakes than anyone else. You should take interest in what happens to the country to ensure that you don’t pay the price for the mistakes or costly actions of the generation before you.
You are already doing a fascinating work at this level and I encourage you to carry on assiduously. Nigeria needs you, Nigeria would appreciate you if not now but in years to come.
Any work like this, any demand for accountability, honesty and integrity is usually a tough assignment and that is why people like you and those individuals spearheading our anticorruption efforts need all the support and encouragement. Keep the flag flying.
Thank you for your attention!
This address was delivered at Following the Money community gathering organised by Connected Development (CODE) with the theme “The Power of Grassroots Mobilisation in Social Accountability” in Abuja on August 15, 2017
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