Religious Leaders Must Fight Corruption – Cardinal Onaiyekan

The Catholic Archbishop of the Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has said that it was the responsibility of all clergymen irrespective of religious beliefs, to help statutory agencies fight corruption in the country. Onaiyekan spoke yesterday at the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) during a courtesy visit to the chairman of the commission.
Earlier, the ICPC chairman, Barrister Ekpo Nta, while welcoming Onaiyekan, praised him for identifying with the war against corruption.  He paid glowing tributes to Onaiyekan, whom he described as a “shining star”, because of his passion for the less-privileged.
Nta said Onaiyekan’s visit to the ICPC, which is not the first, was “both an endorsement and encouragement that eminent religious leaders have a vital role to play in bringing out the best of human values in their followership.” He therefore called for a partnership with eminent religious leaders in the country in the fight against corruption.
In his remarks, Onaiyekan lauded the ICPC for its different platforms and programmes geared towards eradicating corruption in all the strata of the society. He promised to intensify prayers for the agency and its staff in their onerous task of enthroning ethics and moral values for the betterment of the society.
“I am in support of a forum where religious leaders will come here and help fight corruption. Unless we do something well, it can never be well. Nigeria needs a moral transformation if the nation must progress,” Onaiyekan said.