PERSON OF THE MONTH -
January 2005
Leader of the YEAR
Nuhu Ribadu: The
Anti-Corruption Czar
By
Abdullahi Ahmed Imam, Arewa-online Coordinator
Dec
1, 2005
 A
Proof of Promise
It
is probably contradictory that in a year that despair and unfulfilled
dreams reigned supreme in the national horizon, some persons are
celebrated as having made significant positive impact in the polity,
economy and society.
Yet, it is true that in virtually all sectors some persons are making a
difference that cannot be ignored. A balanced view of the Nigerian
condition will show there are some Nigerians whose contributions are bound
to rekindle hope. They are the elements that make up the silver lining on
the Nigerian cloud. Celebrating them is surely a way to inspire others to
do same or even surpass them.
This year has been, doubtless, eventful. The polity has literally been in
ferment - from Anambra saga to declaration of state of emergence in
Plateau and the dialogue with militia leaders in Niger Delta. Various
economic sectors have also recorded some activities from the festival of
Initial Public Offer (IPOs) in the banks and the drive for consolidation.
While the Transparency International rates Nigeria as the third most
corrupt country, the fight against economic crimes has nevertheless been
sustained. There is a tiny group of Nigerians who animate the process of
change and provide the drive for these and other activities that we can
look back to in the year with a sense of significance.
It is for, however, the passion, drive, energy and courage with which he
has been leading the anti-corruption war that AREWA-ONLINE
settled for Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Chairman of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as PERSON of the Year, and
leader of the Year.
The war against economic and financial crimes being fought by the EFCC
under the leadership of Ribadu has given the greatest impetus to the
anti-corruption drive of this administration. This much has been widely
acknowledged both at home and abroad. With an uncommon commitment and a
historic sense of purpose, Ribadu has invaded all the hitherto sacred
grounds of economic crimes. He is unanimously selected because of the
difference he has made in leading a regulatory agency to rid the land of
crimes that ruin the economy. Whatever the reform agenda that any
administration may pursue will be ineffectual if the activities of
economic saboteurs are not checked. The patriotic zeal with which Ribadu
pursues this task is indicative of his belief in national renewal.
The Anti-Corruption Czar
The EFCC is saddled with the responsibility of fighting battles that even
angels will tactically dodge. In a country where corruption is the major
employer of labour, it takes a large injection of courage to stand out and
be counted as an anti-corruption crusader. Ribadu is heavily injected with
courage, perhaps an overdose of it, and he is suicidally wearing a battle
gear against 419, bank frauds, fraud in the petroleum sector, pipeline
vandalisation and money laundering among several other children and
grandchildren of corruption. Ribadu is indeed the Anti-corruption Czar.
He knows that too well. A devout Muslim, he readily admits that if it is
the will of Allah that he should be consumed by this anti-corruption war,
so be it. From Allah he came, and to Allah he shall return. "Believe me,
I’m not afraid of death. I’ve got so many death threats. I am not
bothered. I just checked my e-mail now and I received a threat mail from a
Nigerian fraudster based in Germany. We just blocked a 419 deal he wanted
to seal. He's furious. He said he is monitoring my movement, that he would
deal with me. Of course, I just smiled. I get a lot of such letters
everyday. I'm not worried at all," he once told this writer in an informal
chat.
Ribadu has fought wars with foreigners who evade taxes and duties despite
the billions they made from the Nigerian economy. He has engaged fuel
smugglers in a war on the borderline. He has taken on his own people like
Alhaji Mohammed Bulama, the Managing Director of Bank of the North, who
must have thought that the Arewa spirit would bless him with some
protection.
Those who accuse Ribadu of being used for political ends point directly to
the case involving Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State. Many believe
that it was because the president wanted to deal with the embattled
governor that the EFCC has taken over the case. However, one point that
cannot be discounted is that the Metropolitan Police of London wrote him
and detailed all the allegations of financial misdeeds against the
governor. Should the EFCC fold its arms and go to sleep after receiving
such a report? Even though, EFCC does not have the power to try a
constitutionally-protected governor but by trying the governor's
co-conspirators who do not have immunity, Ribadu may be scoring an even
bigger point. It will serve as a landmark in the anti-corruption fight.
Indeed, Ribadu is a shinning example. No matter his perceived
imperfections, he stands out for daring to take up a dogged fight against
corruption. Not many Nigerians can be counted as standing tall in
integrity, but his slender frame houses both integrity and courage. And
since these are very scarce qualities in Nigeria, Ribadu has clearly made
a name for himself. And that is why he has been selected as such: The
PERSON of the Year, and leader of the Year.
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