The United States Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry, yesterday, said corruption costs the world over $2.6billion, annually.
Kerry made the disclosure in Sokoto at the Sultan’s palace where he delivered a speech entitled:” The importance of resilient communities and religious tolerance in countering violent extremism.”
He said: “This is money that can be used to improve the living standard and provide decent livelihoods for them.
“Corruption is not only a crime, but very dangerous and it must be tamed,” he said, and remarked that corrupt officials, globally were ‘crooks’.
The US Secretary of state also acknowledged the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to holistically fight corruption, noting thatý President Muhammadu Buhari understood this, as he was elected on the platform of clean government.
“Nigeria is already a regional leader in the fight against corruption. The countryý is also a role model in the ongoing global efforts to fight corruption”, he pointed out.
Accordingly, Kerry acknowledged the ongoing efforts by Buhari to entrench morality, transparency, honesty and good governance in public life while noting that, Buhari was also making commendable efforts to recover all stolen funds.
Kerry stressed the need for the support of the military, other security agencies and the judiciary, among others, to ensure the success of the anti-corruption campaigns.
He reiterated that, “US is also fully committed to fighting corruption and the entrenchment of good governance globally.
“One of Nigeria’s strength is diversity of culture and religious tolerance.
“The former leaders of the defunct Sokoto caliphate and others like the late Sir Ahmadu Bello had stood by the virtues of peace, unity and tolerance,”
He further acknowledged President Buhari’s bold efforts in fighting insurgency and other crimes across the country, saying that, “Boko Haram boasts no agenda more than to burn schools.
“They also kill and maim people, especially teachers, and it is the opposite of any religion.”
Kerry also expressed US deep commitment to working with its partners like Nigeria, to be able to build counter-terrorism capacities while disclosing that, it has worked out counter-terrorism strategies for implementation globally.
He commended the sultan for his relentless efforts to entrench peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria and beyond.
The US secretary of state also lauded the plan by the sultanate council of Sokoto to establish an all-women university, noting thatý girls, women, children and other vulnerable groups must be educated, given jobs and opportunities to explore their potentials.
While speaking at a news conference in Sokoto, Kerry also emphasised that extremism can’t be defeated through repression or fear.
Kerry congratulated Nigeria on its recent military successes against Boko Haram, but warned the country will face a blowback if it “cracks down” on the Islamists with excessive force.
The secretary of state praised Nigeria for reclaiming swathes of territory from Boko Haram and releasing thousands of hostages over the past year.
Nigeria has made “important progress”, Kerry said, adding that, “Nigeria and its neighbours are degrading Boko Haram’s capabilities.”
But Kerry cautioned against a heavy-handed response and emphasised respect for human rights.
“In the wake of terrorist activity, some are tempted to crack down on anyone and everyone,” Kerry said.
“But extremism can’t be defeated through repression or fear. Fear instilled through repression invites not confidence but contempt,” Kerry said, “it creates terrorists.”
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have accused Nigerian troops of excessive force and extra-judicial killings of suspected Boko Haram insurgents, hundreds of Shiite Muslims and pro-Biafra protestors. The military has denied the charges.
On his third visit to Nigeria in less than two years, Kerry met with traditional and religious leaders, and appealed to Nigerians to practise equality and tolerance to “overcome deep-seated ethnic and religious divisions.”
His remarks come one day after police reported that a Muslim mob in northern Nigeria killed eight people after torching the house of a Muslim man who stood up for a Christian student accused of blasphemy.
He also met with President Muhammadu Buhari later yesterday in Abuja as part of a three-nation tour focussed on counterterrorism.
The top US diplomat, who was in Kenya on Monday, is expected to discuss the Boko Haram insurgency, fighting corruption and boosting Nigeria’s moribund economy that has been pummelled by the drop in global oil prices.
In its quest to create a fundamentalist Islamic state Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced 2.6 million from their homes.
With homes and businesses destroyed and farmland devastated, the United Nations has warned that some 50,000 children could starve to death this year in Borno state alone if nothing is done.
Earlier in August the US government pledged $37 million in aid for victims of Boko Haram as fears of a famine mounted in the ravaged Lake Chad region.
In his remarks, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar commended Kerry for the visit, and “inspiring speech”, saying that “This will encourage us to redouble our efforts for a more stronger, united and prosperous Nigeria.
The event was witnessed by Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto and and Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara states, including ýreligious, traditional and community leaders, as well as students.