An International organisation that deals with corruption perception in public service, Centre for Ethics and Value Orientation, has conferred an award of ‘Ethical Excellence’”on Rt. Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub, Chairman,House Committee on Foreign Affairs and member representing Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency of Adamawa State.
Speaking at the award ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, Cheif Executive Officer of the organisation, Salih Musa Yakubu said Buba has distinguished himself by his conduct in public office.
According to him, “we live in a society where mediocrity is celebrated in place of integrity and ethics; some traditional rulers have become morally bankrupt, giving titles to questionable characters.”
Yakubu said that the National Merit Award put in place by an Act of parliament was to encourage Nigerians whose mental prowess was of help to national development.
According to him, 70 per cent of those with merit award have one issue or anotherr on corruption to answer before the anti graft agencies.
He said that the amount used to rebuild Western Europe after the World War II is far less that the 400 billion dollars stolen as at 2015 by corrupt officials still walking free.
Yakubu said that the lawmaker has one of the most active constituency offices in the country and that his conduct is rated 72 per cent.
“Our coming here today is not a joke, it is not because of your beauty as one of the finest faces in parliament.
“We are here because of your deeds, the only charm that brought us here today is your conduct and character in leadership.
“In a country where leaders barricade themselves from people they are meant to lead but in you, from our findings, you are highly accessible.
“Those constituents you have trained, the women you have empowered have all spoken to us and your vitality in the parliament is visible to us.
“When we send whistle blowers here to see your argument on the floor, we see a parliamentarian that is nationalistic in arguments that go beyond constituencies.
“We have seen your vibrancy and today we found you worthy to confer you with our most cherished ethical recognition and certification that will stand with you for life,” he said.
Yakubu said that the lawmaker is one of the most ethical and responsible citizens in the country and that Integrity Icon of Nigeria (IION) would now be written along his name.
Responding, Buba thanked the organisation for the honour saying that it would spur him to do more.
Buba who represents Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency of Adamawa said that before he was sworn-in in 2015, he built an industrial village to train women and youths.
According to him,
“in my first term in office, no fewer than 10,000 women and youths were trained and empowered.
“I can confidently say there is hardly a home in my constituency that has not benefited from the training and empowerment programme.”
The lawmaker said that with personal resources, over 300 boreholes had been drilled to provide water for rural dwellers in every unit across the constituency.
He pledged to support the organisation in its effort to expose corruption and to commend the efforts of those doing well.
“We have to do that, all hands must be on deck to see that we change our dear country; I assure you my doors are open to receive criticisms and advice on what we are doing for Nigerians and humanity,” he said.
Alongside the honour came several others and a handsome package for the training of 300 teachers who are expected to train others in his Constituency next month on the different methods and approaches to enhance teaching and learning in order to build the Nigeria of the future.
*Nkem Anyata-Lafia*
Special Adviser to Rt.Hon.Buba on Media and Public Affairs.
*December 11,2020*