President Muhammadu Buhari has cheered former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for winning the Anti-Corruption Lifetime Achievement Award.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ribadu was conferred with award at an event organised by the prestigious Sheikh Tamin Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence (ACE) Award 2018, during its third annual ceremony in Malaysia on Friday.

A statement Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Saturday, Buhari rejoiced with the pioneer chairman of the EFCC over the award.

The president noted that Ribadu, being one of eight recipients from five continents of various categories of the Award, the honour “is a rare privilege and acknowledgment of his fearless fight against corruption in his country”.

He said: “The award to Ribadu affirms our commitment to the campaign against corruption, which is one of the three focal areas of our administration.

“This also means that the world appreciates our determination to stem the negative effects of corruption on the country’s development.’’

He, however urged the current leadership of the anti-corruption organisations in the country not to be deterred in the face of “corruption fighting back in different forms and shapes”.

Buhari also enjoined all Nigerians in leadership positions to emulate Ribadu and see public office “as a public trust’’.

Recalled that Ribadu, a native of Adamawa, was the pioneer chairman of the EFCC and was once adopted as the presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in January 2011.

The former EFCC boss, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) recently participated in the governorship primaries of the APC in Adamawa.

He however lost to the incumbent governor of the state, Sen. Bindow Jibrilla.