The Acting Governor of Edo, Mr Philip Shaibu has urged Nigerians to stop respecting corrupt public leaders so as to win the war against corruption in the country.
Shaibu stated this while declaring open a One-Day Public Enlightenment and Citizen Activity on Anti-Corruption, organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in Benin on Tuesday.
He said the practice where corrupt leaders are given chieftaincy tittles and elevated by religious leaders should be discontinued and replaced with a reward system for hard working and patriotic leaders.
“As President Muhammadu Buhari will always say, `If we don’t kill corruption, Corruption will kill us’, We must all support the President to win the war against corruption in the country.’’
“The way people see public office as an avenue to make money for themselves should be discontinued. Corrupt leaders should not, therefore, be respected in the society,’’ Shaibu said.
He urged leaders to be role models to the youths, through leadership style and character, so that youths could key into the `Not Too Young to Run’ idea.
The State Director, NOA, Mrs Grace Eseka, said the theme of the programme, “Value Reorientation and the Fight against Corruption,’’ is apt as it is coming at a time when political leaders have just be elected in the country.
Eseka said the populace needed to be sensitive on a continuous basis to hold their representatives and others in positions of authority accountable.
“We must work together to change the label of corruption on the nation and emphasise the positive core values of the typical Nigerian, which include discipline, hardwork, honesty, integrity, social justice and patriotism,’’ she said.
