From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos
An International anti-corruption organization, Transparency International yesterday slammed Nigeria Government for awarding its late former Head of State and dictator, General Sanni Abacha a centenary honor.
TI in a statement by Regional Director for Sub-Sahara Africa at Transparency International, Chantal Uwimana called on the government to rescind award .
TI said it “deplores the action taken by the government of Nigeria to name the late president of Nigeria, General Sani Abacha, as a recipient of the country’s Centenary Awards”.
The global anti-corruption movement said; “in his lifetime, Gen. Abacha was investigated for corruption and human rights violations.”
Uwimana stated that “honoring a person with a reputation for abusing his position of power for personal gain , the Transparency International definition of corruption sends the wrong message about the priorities of a country like Nigeria which has claimed that fighting corruption is at the top of the government’s agenda.
“Giving an award to a public official implicated in numerous acts of corruption contradicts Nigeria’s international commitments and obligations to stop corruption”, the statement reads.
“I applaud those who have rejected their Centenary Awards in protest. They sent a clear message that there are social consequences for honouring those who abused their positions of power by creating an embarrassing situation for those handing out the Centenary Award,” Uwimana added.
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