Corruption
By Temitope Ponle
Abuja, Aug. 12, 2018 (NAN) Mr John Primrose, Deputy Head of Office, Department for International Development (DFID) Nigeria, has called on Nigerian youths to speak up and act against all forms of corruption in the country.
Primrose made the call in an interview on the sideline of an event to mark the International Youth Day in Abuja.
He said that it was incumbent upon the youths to hold leaders accountable where it was required to promote transparency and good governance.
The DFID official said that the International Youth Day provided a platform where youths of multiple organisations could “come together to share ideas and get energised to move into action.”
“Eliminating this scourge will not happen overnight, and that is why I call on young people everywhere to stand up and have their voices heard.
“Now is the time to say ‘no’ to corruption, wherever it raises its ugly head’’.
He said that the DFID was working to promote professional standards and ethical behaviours at the borders, in prisons, police and defence sectors in the country.
Primrose urged youths to ensure that professional standards were met.
“Preventing people in those sectors from engaging in corruption has a positive knock-on impact across the country.
“If we want our young people to succeed, we need to break down those barriers (to development); we need to unlock the door to their future, and that ambition is within reach.”
He said that the UK Government was working with the Nigerian Government to support “resilient institutions across public and private sectors” and enhance good governance.
According to him, it is germane for government to tackle corruption at all levels to promote national security, regain public confidence and promote a safe environment for development.
“We are committed to preventing corruption in all its manifestations within the UK and beyond through the use of sanctions.
“The UK has been working across three different areas that is, sanctions against people who might want to engage in corrupt practices; systems of governance delivery within countries and working with the society to get more pressure to stomp out corruption,’’ the DFID official said.
He added that the UK was still working with Nigeria to repatriate stolen assets “existing in other countries”.
The International Youth Day, first observed on Aug. 12, 2000, is an awareness day designated by the United Nations.
The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding the youth.
The theme for the 2018 International Youth Day is: “Safe Spaces for Youths”. (NAN)
TOP/COF/SH
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edited by Oluyinka Fadare/ Sadiya Hamza