RSD News Portal 
African nations have been urged to stand united in order to achieve Agenda 2063.
To this end, the nations were advised to take all necessary measures to prevent the loss of vast resources particularly funds, to foreign countries through corruption and illicit financial flows.
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, stated this while delivering a lecture as the guest speaker at the 13th annual public lecture of Reelnews Magazine and online platform with the theme: “Cybersecurity, Illicit Financial Flows and Achieving Agenda 2063 in Africa” on Wednesday in Lagos.
The guest speaker described illicit financial flows as the movement of money or capital from one country to another.
He emphasized that such money could be illegally earned, transferred, or laundered through the aid of financial institutions.
This, he said, undermines the continent’s sovereignty and the future of the children as such funds would have been sufficient to build schools, hospitals, roads, and provide good infrastructure.
“The illicit financial flows that many African leaders have taken abroad are being used to develop those countries. While they continue to blame us for corruption, these countries keep the funds.
“The African Union (AU) high-level panel, led by former South African President, suggested that Africa loses over $80 billion annually through illegal tax practices, transfer mispricing, corruption, trafficking, and theft of public resources, he said.
This financial loss, the guest speaker noted, also include the continent’s artifacts and heritage that he said have been taken out of the continent and are being used by other countries to generate revenue for the governments.
The ICPC boss said that through investigative work, they would continue to expose and combat illicit financial flows done through digital channels, trade platforms, cryptocurrencies, and cross-border payment systems.
Dr Aliyu outlined the seven core objectives of Agenda 2063, which he said are: a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development; an integrated continent, politically united and founded on the principles of Africanism; and an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, and justice.
The rest, he said, include a peaceful and secure Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values, and ethics; a continent, where development is people- driven, particularly reliant on the potential of women and youth; a continent that’s strong, united, resilient and an influential global player and partner.
He said; “Realizing this vision necessitates substantial financial financial resources.
“However, Africa loses significant funds annually due to illicit financial flows, weak laws, and policies in the digital age.
“We face an unprecedented convergence of technological opportunities and challenges.
“The same digital infrastructure that promised to propel Africa into prosperity has become a challenge for this financial force that deprives our continent of resources needed for development.”
He stated that Africa Union’s Agenda 2063 represents the continent’s collective vision for a continent that is prosperous, driven by all citizens, and a dynamic force in the global arena.
The 13th anniversary lecture also featured panel discussion, and induction of Dr Musa Adams Aliyu, and a former Chief Judge of Lagos State, who was also the Chairman of the occasion, Justice Ayotunde Phillips and the three discussants; Lasbery Oludimu, Dr Favour Femi-Oyewole and Mr Abdul Rahman Mustapha into Reelnews Hall of Fame.
