President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday in Nouakchott, Mauritania, pledged to extend his anti-corruption crusade across the African continent as part of deliberate efforts to sensitize Africans on the evil effects of corruption on societies.

He also charged countries hoarding looted African assets to remit such without delay and needless technicalities. Western nations have been the biggest recipients of looted assets out of Africa. Switzerland, UK and the United States, for instance, have at various times repatriated monies stashed in their domain by past Nigerian leaders.

Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser said in a statement that President Buhari made the pledge during his introductory remarks as the leader of the African Union theme of the year, Winning the Fight against Corruption, A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.

President Buhari, who spoke shortly before the commencement of the debate on  the African Anti-Corruption Year, revealed that he had embarked on various programmes meant to enhance the fight against corruption in a bid to transform the continent.

He said: “During the last six  months, we have engaged in multi-sectorial dialogue with a broad range of actors including parliamentarians, national anti-corruption agencies, civil society, media, youth and women groups and development partners.

“We have convened three (3) different regional Consultative Workshops in line with my campaign programme in an effort to sensitize our people on the evil effects of corruption on our societies.

“These workshops will be extended to other regional blocs as we continue the fight against corruption in a bid to transform our continent.”

Buhari also informed the gathering of his intention to partner with the AU Chairperson to further push the frontiers of the anti-corruption battle.

President Buhari said he planned to convene the African Youth Congress in Abuja within the next quarter to furthet boost the anti-corruption in the continent.

“We will be working with the Chairman of the African Union, Paul Kagame and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to organize an Interactive Dialogue on the theme at the next session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York during the high level segment,’’ he added

The President also  called on all other Member States that are yet to ratify the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption to take all necessary measures to sign and ratify it with a view to achieving its universal ratification this year.

He noted that the Republic of Mauritius had ratified (Convention) it and thereby becoming the 40th State Party to the Convention.

The President thanked African Heads of State and Government “for the continued support provided to me in driving and amplifying the African Union anti-corruption agenda.

”Your unwavering support remains a strong source of strength and encouragement as we look forward to an even more vigorous second half of this year,’’ he added.

Buhari recalled that  the meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council held under the chairmanship of Nigeria in April 2018 highlighted the corrosive effect that corruption can have on societies.

He said the meeting also considered the link between corruption and conflict and its implications for peace and security in Africa.

The President said the meeting concluded by emphasizing the need to utilize South-South cooperation mechanisms through voluntary information exchange, mutual legal assistance and sharing of best practices among national anti-corruption agencies, audit agencies and investigative bodies.

President Buhari stressed that, “the scourge of illicit financial flows continues to bite, eating back the gains and militating against the attainment of our aspirations under Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.”

He reiterated Nigeria’s abiding commitment to the fight against corruption.

President Buhari called on nations where looted assets  had been stashed to release them without the usually long technicalities  involved in the process of repatriation.

He said:  “”We must all collectively work to place high on the agenda the need for open and participatory government, as well as the repatriation of stolen assets without procedural technicalities and legal obstacles.’’