Corruption is criminal, disgraceful and an 'expensive' danger - John Kerry

The United States Secretary of State has averred that the fight against corruption should be pursued as a global security priority of the first order.

John Kerry was speaking during an official visit to Nigeria where he met with the Sultan of Sokoto in the country’s north. ‘‘Corruption costs the global economy $2.6 trillion a year. It’s not just a disgrace and a crime. It’s also dangerous,’‘ Kerry said.

The top US diplomat delivered a lecture on how strong communities could contribute to counter terrorism efforts.

.JohnKerry: Corruption costs the global economy $2.6 trillion a year...It's not just a disgrace & a crime. It's also dangerous.

— John Kirby (statedeptspox) August 23, 2016

Still in Sokoto, Kerry spoke about how educated women could also exert positive influence in democratic societies. ‘‘When women are educated & empowered societies are more productive, more democratic, more inclusive & far more prosperous,’‘ Kerry said.

Following his meeting in Sokoto, Kerry moved to the administrative capital Abuja later in the day where he met President Muhammadu Buhari in high level meetings that bordered on the fight against insurgency, the Nigerian economy and other issues of mutual interest to both countries.

He promised to support Africa’s populous nation to ramp up military assistance to help defeat insurgent group Boko Haram who continue to threaten the peace especially in the north eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.