Obasanjo: Nigeria Must Conquer Corruption to Make Progress

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, described corruption as a great monster that the country has to conquer before any meaningful achievements could be made.
Obasanjo said this when he joined other prominent Nigerians that included the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Dr. Wale Babalakin, among others for the celebration of life of former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), late Justice Olayinka Ayoola (rtd).

Justice Ayoola, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court died on Tuesday, August 20, at his Ibadan residence, at the age of 90 years.
Obasanjo while speaking at the burial service held at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Agodi, Oke Ado, Ibadan, Oyo State, alluded to efforts he made in checking corruption during his tenure saying, “corruption is a great monster that is still battling with us in the country. It’s not that ICPC and Justice 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.”

Speaking about the departed former ICPC boss, he added, “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.”
Kekere-Ekun, while giving her tributes, 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’,  advised that there should be a legislation that bars all corrupt politicians from re-contesting,” charging all to avoid living a vindictive life.
Anchoring his message on Acts 13:36, he said out of many people God gave opportunity to serve, many of them didn’t do well.

“Do things that will make people remember you. Don’t bother yourself looking for enemies. Justice Ayoola fought many battles not with guns or swords. He did well.”
While commiserating with the family of the deceased, he advised the children to live well like their father.
Several dignitaries that attended the ceremony include Hon. Justice Ogunwumiju; Hon. Justice Adamu Jauro; Hon. Justice Chidiebere Uwa and Hon. Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru, all of  the Supreme Court; Chief Registrar of Supreme Court, Hajo Sarki Bello; Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima and Justice Akintola Ladiran.
Others are the younger brother of the deceased, Prof. Banji Ayoola; Ambassador Godwin Adama; Dr. Emmanuel Olanrewaju Ayoola and Sir Folu Olamiti, former spokesperson of ICPC.