Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, described
corruption as a great monster that Nigeria has to conquer before any meaningful
achievements could be achieved.
He made this known at the celebration of the life of a
former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences
Commission, Justice Olayinka Ayoola (retd.), held at the Methodist Church
Nigeria, Diocese of Agodi, Oke-Ado in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The PUNCH reports that Ayoola died on August 20, 2024, at
the age of 90.
Speaking further, Obasanjo said, “Corruption is a great
monster that is still battling with us in the country. It’s not that ICPC and
Ayoola had not done their job or that even. I, who appointed him had not done
what I could have done; it was the pressure of this great cancer of corruption.
“Today, I’m standing before you to appreciate the life of
this great man, great Nigerian, great African and man of the world, and what he
had done in our midst.”
While giving her tribute, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice
Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said, “I think all of us gathered here should ask
ourselves the role we want to play in this place we found ourselves. What will
be said of us when the time comes?
“He has left indelible footprints in the sand of time. We
treasure him and all the things he had done to give Nigeria a befitting name.
In all the places that he worked, he raised the flag of Nigeria high. He would
be sorely missed. He left a legacy we should be proud of.”
The Bishop of Diocese, Agodi, Revd Simeon Onaleke, while
delivering the sermon entitled, “Serving God’s Purpose in Our Generation,” said
there should be legislation that bars all corrupt politicians from
re-contesting.
“Do things that will make people remember you. Don’t bother
yourself looking for enemies. Ayoola fought many battles, not with guns or swords.
He did well.”
Dignitaries at the event were Chief Registrar Supreme Court,
Hajo Sarki Bello; Justice Akintola Ladiran; Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice
Iyabo Yerima; Justice Ogunwumiju; Justice Adamu Jauro; Justice Chidiebere Uwa;
Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru; and other Justices of the Supreme Court.
Others included Dr Emmanuel Olanrewaju Ayoola; Ambassador
Godwin Adama; Dr Wale Babalakin; and Mr Folu Olamiti, former spokesperson of
the ICPC.
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