Buhari to give keynote address at global anti-corruption summit in London this week

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will hit London this Tuesday to participate in an international anti-corruption summit being hosted by British prime minister David Cameron and World Bank president Jim Yong Kim.

 

During the summit, which will be attended by several other world leaders, President Buhari will deliver a keynote address titled Why We Must Tackle Corruption Together. At the gathering, they will discuss looking for ways to dismantle safe havens for stolen wealth alongside the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Transparency International and other civil society groups.

 

Femi Adesina, President Buhari's spokesman, said: “As an internationally recognised leader in the global fight against corruption, President Buhari will play a prominent part in the summit which will be hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron of Great Britain, with many other heads of state and government in attendance.  President Buhari would later join other participating heads of state and government at special plenary sessions on exposing corruption, tackling corruption and driving out corruption."

 

Mr Adesina, who gave an insight into what the president would say at the summit, said the president would urge the international community to move faster on the dismantling of safe havens for the proceeds of corruption and the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

He added that President Buhari would also reaffirm his administration’s unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption and the federal government’s readiness to partner with international agencies and other countries to identify, apprehend and punish corrupt public officials. President Buhari’s delegation to the summit will include justice minister Alhaji Abubakar Malami and the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Ibrahim Magu.

 

Before returning to Abuja on Friday, the President is expected to have a separate meeting with Prime Minister Cameron to discuss ongoing Nigeria-Britain collaboration in the war against corruption and terrorism. It is believed that among the other issues they will discuss include trade and economic relations between both countries.