Zulum: Nigeria won’t progress until leaders stop corruption

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, says Nigeria would not get things right so long as corruption thrives in the country.

Zulum said Nigerian leaders and their followers must collectively own the fight against corruption by abiding by the rules and regulations of doing things.

The governor said this at the close of the 10th annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Lecture in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

He identified a lack of commitment to good governance by Nigerian leaders and their followers as another form of corruption afflicting the country.

Governor Zulum said: “One of the major problems in Nigeria is lack of obedience to rules and regulations.

“We will never get it right until we follow the rules and regulations.”

Zulum, however, said hope was not lost if Nigerians renewed their commitments in line with the theme of lecture, “Creating pathways for peace: Tackling banditry and insurgency through good governance for sustainable development.”

He said his administration’s commitment to good governance by focusing on security, executing vital projects in various sectors, and fulfilling campaign promises strengthened the resilience of the citizens.

Zulum added: “These developments demonstrated our achievements through good governance and understanding of our multifaceted approach to curb banditry and insurgency.

“Security situation in Borno has consequently improved by 95 per cent and by the grace of God before the end of my administration Borno will be rid of insurgency.”

The highlight of the event attended by some northern governors was the presentation of Lifetime Achievement awards to some personalities and the handing over of the symbolic flag of the next host to Bauchi State.

Born on June 12, 1910, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, was killed in Nigeria’s first military coup d’etat on January 15, 1966.

He served as the first and only premier of the defunct Northern Nigeria region from 1954 until his assassination in 1966.

The Star