3rd November, 2015
The call for global anti-corruption campaign by President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria seems to have caught the eye of the United Nations.
Sharing Buhari’s sentiments, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said ending corruption and bribery is crucial for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted in September by UN member states.
Ban made the remark on Monday in New York in a message delivered by Yury Fedotov, Executive Director, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The UN scribe stated that substantial reduction in corruption and bribery in all its forms could end poverty.
“The world counts on you to take bold decisions and act decisively to strengthen the global fight against corruption and bribery.
“The 17 Sustainable Development Goals contain the promise of a better collective future for people and the planet as they address the potential challenges that can impede our progress,” he said.
Ban noted that all the countries in the world are vulnerable from the adverse effects of corruption.
He said that every citizen was affected from the malicious impact of corruption which made people’s lives more expensive.
“It erodes consumer confidence and business credibility; it depletes public funds and destroys prospects for a fair society.
“Corruption also facilitates other crimes, including human and illegal wildlife trafficking and terrorism,” he added.
Ban urged the people to convey the message that when bribes were paid, everyone counted the cost.
It would be recalled that Buhari called for a global anti-corruption campaign at the United Nations General Assembly held in the United States.