President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in New York enjoined the international community to urgently redouble its efforts to strengthen mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption.
President urges World leaders to dismantle safe havens for proceeds of corruption
Boko Haram’s war against the people of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon may not attract as much worldwide attention as the wars in the Middle East, but the suffering is just as great and the human cost is equally high.
President Buhari urges World leaders to dismantle safe havens for proceeds of corruption
Recommended articles
Addressing world leaders at the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations, Buhari also implored the leaders to do more to return stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.
He noted that corruption, cross-border financial crimes, cyber crimes and human trafficking, were major challenges of the 21st century which the international community must work collectively to overcome.
Buhari reaffirmed his administration's determination to frontally confront the twin evils of corruption and illicit financial outflows.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Let me reaffirm the Nigerian government’s unwavering commitment to fight corruption and illicit financial flows.
"By any consideration, corruption and cross border financial crimes are impediments to development, economic growth, and the realization of the well-being of citizens across the globe.
"Nigeria is ready and willing to partner with international agencies and individual countries on a bilateral basis to confront crimes and corruption.
"In particular, I call upon the global community to urgently redouble efforts towards strengthening the mechanisms for dismantling safe havens for proceeds of corruption and ensuring the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin,’’ the President said.
Buhari also proposed the adoption of peace as a seventh essential element of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted last Friday by world leaders in New York.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The Secretary General has grouped the SDGs into what he calls six 'essential elements' namely: Dignity, Prosperity, Justice, Partnership, Planet and People.
"As a prerequisite to these and as we look at history and remember the terrible events that gave rise to the birth of the United Nations in 1945, I would like to propose a seventh: PEACE.
"Peace is close to the hearts of Nigerians as we are in the front line in the war on terror.
"’s war against the people of Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon may not attract as much worldwide attention as the wars in the Middle East, but the suffering is just as great and the human cost is equally high.
"This is a war between progress and chaos; between democracy and the rule of law.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Boko Haram celebrates violence against the weak and the innocent and deplorably, they hide behind their perverted interpretation of Islam. Boko Haram is as far away from Islam as anyone can think of,’’ Buhari noted.
The President assured the global community that his administration was doing all within its powers to quickly overcome the challenges of terrorism and insecurity.
"The new Nigerian Government, which I have the honour to head, moved with dispatch to put in a bold and robust strategy to defeat Boko Haram.’’
According to him, Nigeria and her neighbours-- Cameroon, Chad and Niger plus Benin-- are working together to face this common threat within the regional framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.
He disclosed that the affected nations had established a multinational joint task force to confront, degrade and defeat Boko Haram.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We have driven them away from many of their strongholds, killed or captured many of their operatives or commanders and freed several hundreds of hostages," Buhari told the General Assembly.
The President reassured the international community that rescuing the Chibok girls remains one of the major objectives of his administration.
He stated that his administration was working round the clock to ensure their safety and eventual reunion with their families.
"The girls are constantly on our minds and in our plans,’’ he said.
Buhari condemned the new and dangerous dimension which human trafficking has assumed in the world.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We in Africa are grieved to see hundreds of our able bodied men and women dying in the desert or drowning in the Mediterranean.
"We condemn in the strongest terms these people traffickers, and will support any measure to apprehend and bring them to justice,’’ he said.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
Deputy who dumped Akeredolu clinches PDP governorship ticket
Gov inaugurates 2nd phase of palliative distribution to poor Enugu residents
Flight Dispatchers fault Keyamo's order to suspend Dana Air over landing mishap
Respite for Nigerians as NNPC says cause of fuel scarcity has been resolved
Again, JAMB extends Direct Entry registration, says 2024 UTME best in history
Lagos residents need real empowerment, not your food packs, LP tells Sanwo-Olu
Ikoyi prison controller in trouble for disobeying court order on convict's whereabouts
How non-communicable diseases kill most productive population – WHO expert
Sanwo-Olu says taxation system will eliminate the shackles of corruption
ADVERTISEMENT
