“Nigeria’s Buhari Inherited A Military That Was Under-paid” – Says US Secretary Of State, John Kerry

United State Secretary of State, John Kerry, has applauded President Buhari for his anti-corruption drive. Speaking at the ongoing World Economic Forum holding in Davos, Switzerland.

Kerry spoke on corruption and how it threatens global stability, growth and future.

He drew example from Nigeria, its fight against Boko Haram and how findings from the arms deal investigations showed that corruption stalled the fight against terrorism…
“When Nigeria’s President, Buhari, took office last spring, he inherited a military that was under-paid, underfed and unable to protect the Nigerian people from Boko Haram. One reason is that much of the military budget was finding its way into the pockets of the generals.

And just this week, we saw reports that more than 50 people in Nigeria, including former government officials, stole nine billion dollars from the treasury,” he told the delegation.

Watch below…

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had during the week stated that 55 Nigerians have stolen over N1.34 trillion from the country’s treasury from 2006 to 2013.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, Mr. Mohammed said since the nation was on the verge of winning the war against insurgent group, Boko Haram, the nation and its people should also partake in yet, another war on corruption.

Mr. Mohammed said if Nigerians failed to cooperate with the governing All Progressives Congress administration under president Muhammadu Buhari, corruption would “kill the country”.

“Gentlemen, the situation is dire and the time to act is now. For example, between the period 2006 and 2013, just 55 people allegedly stole a total of 1.34 trillion Naira in Nigeria. That’s more than a quarter of last year’s national budget,” he said.

Out of the stolen funds, the minister said 15 former governors were alleged to have stolen N146.84 billion; while 4 former ministers stole N7 billion; 12 former public servants, both at federal and state levels, stole over N14 billion; 8 people in the banking Industry allegedly N524 billion; while 11 businessmen allegedly stole N653 billion.