•Bemoans effects of poverty, cybercrime
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has told the Federal Government that Nigerians were increasingly being frustrated by poverty and hunger, thus challenging the political office holders to rise to their responsibilities of protecting Nigerians and uplifting their living standards.
The Sultan also told the government that Nigerians were living in difficult and challenging times, warning that nobody should think or say otherwise, including the political office holders, some of whom have acknowledged the fact.
In his remarks at the first quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, yesterday, the Sultan said poverty and hunger in Nigeria had got to a point where some people could commit any kind of crime, including murder for as little as N500. He, therefore, appealed to the government at all levels to rise to the occasion and improve the living standard of the people.
Sultan, co-chair of the NIREC, said: “The issue of corruption in Nigeria has been constantly discussed at every public and private fora, but unfortunately, it has refused to leave us. It’s important we commission a research to find out why it’s difficult to defeat corruption.
“It’s now normal for politicians to come to office and target the commonwealth of the people. They get richer overnight, and no one can question them. Some even become richer than the state. That’s sad.
“Unfortunately, this will continue to happen as long as we have political office holders, who come to office and do whatever they want with the resources of the people unchecked. After four or eight years, depending on their ability to manipulate the office, the rots continue in the system.
“We are living in very difficult and challenging times in this country, and nobody should think or say otherwise. Even our leaders acknowledged that fact. Now, to know you have a problem means you have half of the solution.”
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh (NIREC co-chair), said the theme of the meeting: “The role of religious leaders in combating corruption and cybercrime” would afford the opportunity to sincerely evaluate the situation leveraging the knowledge and information that would be provided by the keynote speakers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and perhaps, encourage one another to strengthen commitment for a better society.
He encouraged his fellow religious leaders to join hands in the fight against cybercrime by first speaking loudly against it at different religious events. “Together, we can make a difference and build a more just and ethical society for future generations,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, in his speech, extended Mr. President’s appreciation to the religious and traditional rulers for the stabilising roles they have played, individually and collectively.
He said the president also sent assurances that NIREC as an institution for peace and nation building, shall remain a key development partner in his administration.
However, he said the administration remained focused on saving the economy through the implementation of programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda. “Difficult decisions have been taken to prevent a total collapse of the system, and the government has never relented in expressing its deepest sympathy with the people over the resultant hardships Nigerians are passing through.
“But, at the same time, the government has left no stone unturned to positively change the trajectory of our economy, and to take sustainability measures to improve the standard of living of Nigerians. But, to enjoy the gains, all hands must remain on deck to fight corruption, cybercrime, and associated criminal tendencies, for the purpose of restoring our values and national integrity.
“Corruption is a deadly virus that destroys the fabrics of a nation in multi-dimensional ways. Corruption is the misuse and betrayal of trust, power and authority, for whatever purpose. Without formidable systems, institutions, integrity and character, no system and no individual can be insulated from it.
“It is not unusual, therefore, to find corruption within the political, traditional, faith-based, community, social, youth and family institutions and systems. Key players in these condemnable acts include parents, community leaders, business leaders, politicians, religious leaders, public sector employees, security agents, public office holders, judges, and administrators of schools, or anyone entrusted with power and authority.
“It has manifested itself in acts of dishonesty and it is couched in depravity, and inducement to do the wrong through improper and unlawful means. Corruption is an abuse of integrity and transparency by any person who has authority and power. This abuse can take the form of financial and non-financial advantages for selfish gains.
“The most worrisome is the meteoric but infamous rise in cybercrime among our youths on various digital platforms. The cancer of cybercrime is fast spreading globally with devastating consequences. These include the rise in terrorism, illicit monetary flow, ritual activities to acquire riches, modern slavery and human trafficking, disruption of economic systems through hacking and destruction of moral values through pornography, among others.
“The institutional battle to fight cybercrime has been through the EFCC, ICPC, the police, associated technology-based efforts and judiciary. Moderate successes have been recorded, especially in the areas of apprehension, prosecution, and conviction, as this remains work in progress.
“Sadly, addressing the challenge is assuming the dimension of an emergency, because of the involvement of scores of our youths who are leaders of tomorrow. Statistics point at the institutions of higher learning as breeding grounds. There is an urgency, therefore, in the collaboration that we want to forge in addressing it.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, who was represented by the Commission’s Director of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwajaren, in his presentation, painted a gory picture of cybercrime activities among young people in Nigeria, some of whom have been tried, convicted, and imprisoned.
He said the major problem militating against the development of Nigeria is corruption. “It’s a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the society with its attendant effects on the citizenry.
“That Nigeria has all it takes, human, and mineral resources, to truly be the giant of Africa, is an obvious fact. But, it’s held back by corruption. People see public offices as an opportunity to accumulate wealth. They focus on what they can get for themselves and their families. It doesn’t matter if the rest of the society wallows in endless penury.
“The implication is already staring us in the face as children, most of whom have never felt the meaning of governance, have taken up arms against us. No one is safe anymore. Even those who had stolen enough money to last four generations have suddenly realised that what they have built are mere castles that can vanish in a moment of uncontrolled rage.
“We also have youths who are desperate to escape poverty and see cybercrime as the fast lane to wealth. Their exploits have soiled our country’s reputation globally and left their victims in misery. The task to ensure we do not create an environment for the corrupt to take over our society, is one that belongs to all and shouldn’t be left to the EFCC alone.
“When it comes to stealing the country’s wealth, the looters are united by their common greed. Their ethnic identities and religious backgrounds make no difference. Therefore, for the corruption fight to be meaningful, it must be waged on all fronts, drawing on our collective energies to defeat a common enemy.”