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President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Abuja said he would fight corruption to the end , notwithstanding the challenges of doing so.

“My administration will, therefore, continue to fight corruption and associated social vices until they are exterminated from our body polity,” Jonathan said at the opening of the Annual National Management Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Management.

The conference has the theme, “Moving Nigeria forward through strategic transformation.”

The President, who was represented by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Sali Bello Sali, said the realization of the nation’s vision of being amongst the first 20 biggest economies in the world depended on Nigerians’ ability to find solutions to the several challenges facing the nation.

He told participants at the conference that, “To set this country on the path of greatness and prosperity, (the) complete elimination of all forms of corrupt practices must be in the front burner and our collective consciousness always. You will agree with me that a great nation is the reward of great leadership. This is our motivation and value proposition.

“My administration will, therefore, continue to fight corruption and associated social vices until they are exterminated from our body polity.

“Our greatness and prosperity as a country is dependent on our vision, hardwork and patriotism. We must build strong pillars of values and develop positive attitudes even as we build a 21st century country for the benefit of generations yet unborn. I am confident that this institute will partner with us and other stakeholders in this important task.

“The Nigerian project is faced with several challenges from every facet. We must find solutions to these challenges if our resolve to be counted amongst the first 20 most modern economies by the year 2020 is to materialize. I urge all Nigerians to see this project as their own so that together we can realize our dream and leave a legacy that is worthy of emulation by our future generations.”

Jonathan also underscored the need for transparency in an address delivered on his behalf by Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the commencement of the Presidential Retreat of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Secretaries to State Governments which held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.

He described transparency as key to good governance and building of public confidence in the political system.

He said for members of the public to have confidence in the system, public officials must govern with openness.

He said his administration had zero tolerance for corruption and the deepening of the rule of law in the conduct of government business.

“For effective discharge of your responsibilities, there must be effective application of sound governance practices involving the exercise of due diligence, high standards of integrity and transparency in the handling of the affairs of your offices,” Jonathan charged the secretaries to governments.

He said at the federal level, the philosophy of governance was that of consultation, consensus building and cooperation for positive actions which are all aimed at transforming the country. The President added during his administration was prepared to facilitate and participate in programmes aimed at advancing good governance and sound inter-governmental relations.

The SGF, Pius Anyim, said one of the key strategies to realizing the present administration’s transformation agenda was the commitment to strengthen governance institutions.

“To achieve a qualitative and holistic development of Nigeria, we must evolve a broad-based strategy that will combine good planning, policy consistency, with a progressive refinement guideline supported by strong framework for its implementation,” he said.

Nigeria, we Hail thee!