By Benedict Nwachukwu, Abuja

…As 2nd National Anti-Corruption Marathon Gets December Date

Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria Nicholas Kamanzi has charged Nigerians to join forces to fight the war against corruption noting that it is important to finger point those in govt but the individual has a great role to play.

He warned that silence is tantamount to fighting corruption, adding that corruption erects poverty and so the public assets should be protected by all from being stolen by a few individuals regardless of who they are.

The High Commissioner made this declaration at the second National Anti-Corruption marathon race which was on Tuesday flagged off at the media centre of the Abuja National stadium with a media conference heralding the registration process for the event which has been slated to hold on December 9th at the Capital city of Nigeria, Abuja. The registration is not only open to all but free to all citizens of this country and for those that did not register online during the maiden edition.

 Making this disclosure, the coordinator of the event whose first edition was adjudged a huge success, Jacob Onu said the overall intention of the marathon is to create awareness on the danger of corruption to our existence as a people and society at large.

Onu disclosed that the maiden edition was held in Abuja on December 10 last year with quite number of athletes participating after registration and screening. He noted that athletes that took part in the first edition smiled home with cash prizes ranging from one million naira as star prize for the first position in the male and female categories respectively.

He maintained that the National Anti-Corruption Marathon besides being an annual event is aimed at eulogizing the Anti-Corruption Crusade of Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari through the relevant anti-graft agencies and also to mark the United Nations Anti-Corruption Day which holds on the 9thof December every year.

Onu noted further that the vision and drive of the present administration led by “Baba” the most amiable Nigerian President who is doing everything humanly possible to eradicate corruption from Nigeria through government policies on Anti-Corruption could only be complemented by programmes like this which will prove to the world that Nigerians are willing to fight against the cancer called corruption.

“I want to reiterate that the fight against corruption is not to be left to government alone. Government’s responsibility is to create the enabling environment while enforcing laws and regulations. The real fight is a challenge for our upcoming youths.”

The coordinator maintained that the flag-off of the registration process for the second edition came so early because there was need to refocus and redirect the energy of the youths towards preparing for this year’s edition as participants or volunteers, instead of engaging in vices that could be hazardous to their health and society in general.

In his opening remarks, minister of Youths and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung described the event as a step in right direction. Dalung speaking through his representative Mr. Bamiduro Olumide noted that the organizers should be encouraged as it is the heartbeat of the President and the present administration to fight corruption and hopes the marathon race continues.

In his remarks, the minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu said the initiative is as a result of our collective resolve to use sports support every step that would fight corruption head on. He noted that the ministry of education will fully support every step to end corruption in our country.

Over 5000 athletes and volunteers are expected to register for the event.