The African continent has lagged behind in most facets of human development because its largest country, Nigeria, has remained in poverty due to fraudulent activities in public service, a leading anti-corruption campaigner said on Tuesday.
Patrick Lumumba, a former Director of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, said Nigerian leaders must do everything within their capacity to address endemic graft. This, he said, would refocus Africa on the path towards prosperity.
“Africa is behind because Nigeria has not realized her potential. It’s time the leaders rise up because one in every five Africans is a Nigerian.”
Mr. Lumumba, during the keynote speech, said it is time for Nigeria, and Africa as a whole, to abandon the culture of “punishing small thieves and electing big ones.”
Mr. Lumumba, a professor of law, said Nigeria is a microcosm of Africa and, as such, cannot afford to keep getting it wrong.
The don called for a wholesome support for President Muhammadu Buhari in his war against corruption, especially on the need to build lasting institutions. Read the full story.