Date: 2016-11-18

A former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, yesterday said that nepotism will not help Nigeria to achieve its feat.

The former chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, during the third year remembrance of his late wife and formal opening of the Mustapha Akanbi Library. The former jurist also said that Nigerians must be ready to make sacrifices to change the current situation in the country.

Justice Akanbi said, "The problem with Nigerians is that we don't read about the lives of great nations. We don't read about the lives of great men. Unfortunately, we are so parochial. It is either your own son or relation. You are not ready to help other people. This is why we have all these problems. This is what escalates corruption and other vices in the country.

"My word to Nigerians is that they should be ready to make sacrifice. When I published my autobiography I made money. I could use the money to build a mighty house here. But I said to myself that I would devote it to charity.

"I am glad today I have built a library which is second to none in the country. Nepotism will not help us. I always say that Nigerians should develop the spirit of self-sacrifice untainted by jealousy and ambition. Let them know that whatever calls the noblest mind to action in contemplative public life is something that will help all of us."

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to find a way of boosting the economy of the country, saying "a hungry man is a bitter and angry man." Also speaking, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prince Lateef Fagbemi, who noted that the issue of fighting corruption is difficult, urged the government to handle the war "honestly, sincerely and genuinely".