Lagos — The effect of corruption and how it accentuates under-development among nations will be the focus of this year's edition of Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe Anyiam-Osigwe lecture series.

In its tradition of having a former or a serving head of state as guests during the annual event, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir bin Muhammad will address the audience at the lecture with the theme: "To Live In The Way That Honours: Incorruptibility; A Spiritual Premise For Material Well Being."

The former Malaysia premier who will be the Keynote speaker at the 11th session of the annual lecture will speak on the topic: "Corruption, State Craft and National development."

Muhammad holds the enviable distinction of lifting his country from the ranks of third world countries to the league of developed economies with Malaysia now rated as one of the world biggest economies.

On the choice of the theme and the guest speakers, Coordinator General of the Foundation, Mr. Michael Anyiam-Osigwe noted that Nigeria and Africa in general have remained behind in all indices of human development because leaders have not used the resources of the state to provide for the economic and infrastructural needs of the citizens.

"We seek to address this major issue during the eleventh session of our annual lecture series this year and we consider the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, His Excellency Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad, as capable to do justice to the issue of corruption having been successful in transforming his country from a poor country to be one of the wealthiest nation in Southeast Asia despite having to confront the challenges of corruption.