[Video] What Dasuki Said About Corruption at Chatham House, London

On January 22 2015, Sambo Dasuki spoke about corruption in Nigeria at Chatham House, London.   His speech was aptly titled, ‘Nigeria’s Security: Insurgency, Elections and Coordinating Responses to Multiple Threats’.   Sambo Dasuki, the then National Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, flew to London during a frenzied environment of a straightening Boko Haram insurgency and political discord surrounding Presidential elections and the likelihood of postponement.  In light of recent events, the scandal dubbed ‘Dasuki Gate’ which is fast turning out to be one of the most extensive corruption scandals in Nigeria touching so many and right up the chain; his speech is all the more interesting.  Here is what he said about corruption:

For Nigeria to address the underlying conditions conducive to the spread of violent extremism leading to insurgency, the cancerous menace of corruption must be fought with all elements of its national power. In order to build badly needed infrastructure, put our children in schools, ignite economic activities and accelerate upward mobility for a majority of our people we must henceforth address elite greed and weak institutions that make it impossible for national resources to be applied appropriately. Corruption must also be seen by the international community as a threat to international security and [we must] take even stricter measures to make it difficult for corrupt people to enjoy the proceeds of illegitimate earnings. There is a link between terrorism financing and weak international financial systems that allow the movement of stolen resources.

Corruption is both a major cause and a result of poverty around the world. It occurs at all levels of society from local and national governments, civil society, judiciary functions, large and small businesses, to the military and other services.

Listen to the full Audio:

To read the full transcript his speech, please click here.