By Progress Godfrey, Abuja
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar has lamented over the growing hardship ravaging poor Nigerian masses, while leaders are becoming rich overnight.
The Sultan who is the Co-chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, worried that public officers while in office do as they please, only to realise that all things are temporary when they leave office.
The cleric stated this in Abuja on Thursday at NIREC’s 2024 first quarterly meeting themed, “The Role Of Religious Leaders In Combating Corruption And Cybercrime.”
He said, “Many who come into office get rich overnight and when they leave office, they become multi-billionaires with private jets. Nobody is bothering to find out how these people (past public office holders) made their money. He becomes a big man.
“This will continue as we keep having office holders that come and become lords, doing what they want; give whom they want to give, deny whom they want to deny and the issues continue like that.
“I think it is important for us to look at how our leaders do whatever they want to do – nobody checks you. Nobody to tell you that you’re wrong. After your tenure, you leave for you to know that nothing is permanent.
“We see people every day along the street begging for food to eat and now they commit crimes. If you want half a battalion or 1,000 boys to form a unit to go and commit criminal activities, you will do so. Just distribute N500 notes to each of them. That’s the situation we have. We must take action before this corruption thing consumes all of us.”
The Royal father further remarked, “We will all leave this wretched world whether we like it or not, and we will all go into the beyond with nothing. So, why are we amassing so much to the detriment of our fellow human beings that can’t even afford one meal a day?
Also speaking, the Co-chair of NIREC and President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, charged religious clerics to consistently advocate against corruption and other harmful practices that hinder the nation’s progress and advancement, and boldly speak up for truth, integrity, and justice.
On his part, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Gorge Akume encouraged the meeting attendees to develop strategies for addressing corruption and other societal issues, and to share these messages with their local communities and respective groups.
He said, “This administration, since inception, has remained focused on saving the economy of our nation through the implementation of programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Difficult decisions have been taken to prevent a total collapse of the system and government has never relented in expressing its deepest sympathy with the people over the resultant hardships Nigerians are passing through. At the same time, government has left no stone unturned to positively change the trajectory of our economy and to take sustainability measures.
“I must quickly add that to enjoy the gains of all these efforts, all hands must remain on deck to fight corruption, cybercrime and associated criminal tendencies, for the purpose of restoring our values and national integrity.”
Also, the Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua said the world is continually advancing in technological innovations, and cyber technology, like any other technology, presents both opportunities and challenges.
The benefits, he said would accrue if the political system and governance at all levels could provide job opportunities where the young graduates could apply this technology in their various areas of work.
He noted that the benefits of technological advancements could be realized if the political system and governance at all levels could provide job opportunities, allowing young graduates to apply their technological skills in their respective fields.
“If a good thing is not well managed, it could be abused or used negatively, hence the risk is the rise in the number of cybercrimes committed in the attempt for the unemployed to put food on their table or meet up with the basic necessities of life.”