FG Not Losing Focus In Fighting Corruption – Minister

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru has said that the Federal government was not losing focus in fighting corruption in the country. The minister, while reacting to the ranking of Nigeria as the second most corrupt country in Africa by the Transparency International, at the Founder’s Day ceremony of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) held at the weekend, said contrary to the perception of the media and Nigerians, the administration was making progress in curbing corruption in the country compared to yester years.
Ashiru added that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria in terms of freedom of the press and economic development as indicated by the foreign investments coming into the country.
“If you study that report well, you will notice that we are actually making progress when compared to our ratings a year or two ago. The measures being put in place by the Jonathan administration to curb corruption are working either in the award of contracts or going after those who looted the treasury and so on.
“And that is why the perception index has improved as compared to yesteryears. I would have been disturbed really if it was the other way round. Then I would say that the impact of government policy and measures are not being felt but what the report has shown indicated that  government measures to curb corruption is actually working and is being felt by the people”, he added.
On his part, former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi said that Nigeria would get better if the people can work together.