About $500 billion had been lost to corruption in the country from 1960 till date. This was the submission of former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi during the one day Minna National Discourse on corruption.
According to the former envoy, the raising insecurity in some parts of the north, the militancy in the south- south and the kidnapping for ransom in the south-east are all the consequences of the high level of corruption that has rocked the nation for many years.
The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido, who chaired the event, told the gathering that contrary to the wide held belief, corruption is not the greatest problem confronting the country but the lack of general framework for accountability in all sphere of our national life.
Also speaking at the event the Minister and deputy chairman National Planning Commission, Shamsudeen Usman noted that until the issue of corruption is tackled headlong the nation’s Vision 202020 would just be a mirage.
He however gave some suggestions on how corruption can be eradicated in the country
Also speaking the Governor of Rivers state and chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, Chibuke Amaechi blamed the high level of insecurity in the country to the corruption of the ruling class.
While for the Governor of Niger state, Muazu Aliyu, corruption arises because there is surplus money available to politicians.
The inaugural Minna National Discourse on Corruption has as its theme; Confronting Trends Of Indiscipline, Corruption and Disregard For Rules and Regulations in Nigeria.
The discourse held in Minna, the Niger state capital.
