Corruption Must Be Tackled With Vigor – Peter Obi

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said world leaders must tackle corruption with every commitment.

Peter Obi said insecurity and activities of non-state actors across the world and particularly in Africa flourish because of corruption and lack of investment in critical sectors.

Obi stated this at the weekend while giving contributing to Leadership Dialogue, in Athens, Greece. The Dialogue focused on governance, particularly in the areas of Democracy, Security and the Economy in today’s world.

Guests included former Presidents, Prime ministers, serving and retired senior government officials, military chiefs, renowned academics, sports personalities, and other leadership stakeholders.

“Despite vast human and material resources, there remain significant unmet needs in global governance.

“Urgent attention must be paid to enhancing collective security, lifting people out of poverty, and reducing injustice and inequality in society.

“In the continent (Africa), we face high levels of insecurity, alarming corruption, worsening poverty, huge youth unemployment, and gross inequality.

“Over 50% of the world’s multidimensionally poor live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria and Congo both have over 60% of their populations living in poverty and suffering from unacceptable levels of inequality.

“Non-state actors have now taken over security in some African nations,” Obi said.

The former governor of Anambra State decried that many African countries underinvest in critical areas of human development.

He urged African leaders to stand up against insecurity and corruption. “Furthermore, many African countries underinvest in critical areas of development, such as health and education.

“Future African leaders must take bold, accelerated, just, and transformative actions to achieve far-reaching, people-centered development.

“African leaders must confront insecurity head-on and reassure citizens of the state’s ability to maintain security without being undermined by non-state actors.

“Corruption must be tackled with vigor. Leaders must invest in critical areas of development to improve health and education while addressing poverty, unemployment, hunger, and other pressing societal challenges.

“Nigeria has all the resources needed to move in this direction, and we remain committed to placing the nation on the right path,” Obi added.