CORRUPTION remains the greatest obstacle to Nigeria's development and tackling it ought to be the urgent priority and focus of the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency, Vice President for Africa Region, World Bank, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, has submitted.Ezekwesili stated this over the weekendat a law dinner in New York where she received theNigeria Lawyers Association (NLA) Merit Award.She insistedthatNigerians shouldnotbe tired in demanding for good governance in the process of correcting the situation in the country.In particular, Ezekwesili,a former Federal Minister for Education, challenged U.S.-based Nigerian lawyers to rise to the occasion by becoming a voice to reckon with on Nigeria's fate.Her words: 'Without growth you cannot even begin to tackle poverty. Corruption is especially costly for the poor and the private sector, which is the driver of economic growth. Therefore, tackling corruption through effective sanctions regime isthe priority agenda of any African government.'For Nigeria, it is ever more urgent now with the recent significant slide in its Transparency International ranking of perceived most corrupt countries.'Lawyers, who are atthe heart of any national integrity system, that isenforcement and the justice infrastructure, must bring their voices into the demand for good governance. You lawyers can lose many things but never ever lose your voice.'Eminent Nigerianslike Nobel Laureate, Prof.Wole Soyinka, Prof. Chinua Achebe and Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, have all received the prestigious NLAMerit Award in thepast.Also at the event, former Lagos State Attorney-General and Prof. of Law, Yemi Osinbajo, received the 'NLA Law and Justice Award,' won last year by retired Supreme Court Justice Kayode Eso and Prof. Chudi Uwazurike, a member of the Nigerian National Assembly who also delivered a keynote address.A U.S. State Senator, Kevin Parker, who represented New York's 21st State District, where many Nigerians are resident, was also in attendance.Also speaking at the event, Osinbajo said all Nigeria needed was 'one man' to lead a true transformation.According to him, 'change requires one person at the top who is able to stay the course. We have not found that man and we have not seen the resolution to do so in our current men.'The law professor explained that 'Nigeria nonetheless is at the threshold of something significant. There is so much that our country can be. But there is no precision how these would come by.'In his speech, Uwazurike charged Nigerians abroad to stay engaged with Nigeria, disclosing that in spite of all the negative news on security and other problems, the foundation of a solidcountry was continuously being laid.
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