The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu says the reason why Nigeria is yet to fully reach its potential as the giant of Africa is owing to corruption.

Mr. Magu made this known during the 20th Anniversary Public Lecture and Award Ceremony of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja.

The anti-graft boss, while speaking through the acting Head, Public Interface Unit of the agency, Mr. Tony Orilade noted that there would not be any sacred cow in the war against corruption.

He added, “We are blessed with both human and mineral resources. But why have we been unable to explore and exploit our potential to the fullest? Your answer is as good as mine – corruption.

“Anywhere in the world, where strict adherence to ethics and values by the citizenry is lacking, there will always be an obvious deficit in morals, which is the antidote to corruption.

“As far as we are striving to fight corruption to a standstill in Nigeria, sadly, it is fighting back, really hard.”

The EFCC boss, while regretting the alleged attack on his investigator by suspected gunmen, further solicited the cooperation of members of the press “to push for reforms in the judiciary, and society at large, by exposing corrupt elements.”

“Therefore, I am using this platform and opportunity to call on you all, members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, to support the fight against corruption,” he said.

Mr. Magu stressed further that the agency remained unrelenting “In ensuring that we rigorously pursue our mandate of ridding Nigeria of all forms of Economic and Financial Crimes.”

Also speaking, Head of Publicity, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, commended the doggedness of the agency in combating corruption, describing the EFCC boss as being transparent and courageous.

“From day one, Magu has always been accountable and transparent to the core”, Abba said, and called on all Nigerians “To support the EFCC in the fight against corruption,” he noted.