Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, and the outgoing Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye SAN, identified corruption as a major threat to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth, public trust, and rule of law on Thursday.
The governor and the ICPC boss, according to a news release signed by ICPC spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, made available to Tribune Online in Abuja, made this known in Akure, Ondo State, at the commissioning of the anti-graft agency’s prototype state office building by the governor.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Princess Catherine Oladunni Odu, Akeredolu advocated collective efforts between the Federal Government and the sub-nationals to mitigate the spread of corruption across every sector of the Nigerian economy.
“It goes without saying that corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of our national lives, and it, therefore, requires collective efforts to mitigate its spread across every sector.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that corruption is yet a general malaise in Nigeria, thus undermining public trust in our institutions, hampering adherence to the rule of law, and limiting socio-economic and political advancements,” Akeredolu was quoted to have said.
The governor also emphasised the need for all Nigerians to come together in order to continue to stem the pervasiveness of corruption in the country.
He further expressed the determination of the Ondo State Government to reduce corruption to the barest minimum as well as provide support to the ICPC to achieve its mandate.
Ogugua stated that Akeredolu then counselled on the need to embrace a preventive approach in the fight against corruption, particularly in carrying out more awareness campaigns, seminars, and time-to-time interactive engagement of state and non-state actors to drive anti-corruption policies in the state.
The governor submitted that “this approach will lead to swift and efficient handling of corruption cases.”
In his welcome address, Owasanoye stated that corruption posed a great impediment to the socio-economic growth and development of any nation.
“Corruption does not only blight the country’s reputation among the community of nations but also impedes the flow of foreign direct investments and poses a challenge to national security.
“At the sub-national level, corruption is responsible for the challenges of meeting the primary obligation of government to citizens, which is the security and wellbeing of the people,” he said.
Owasanoye assured that the ICPC would offer support to states in tackling corruption.
“The Commission will support the Ondo State Government and any other state to deal with the hydra-headed monster, particularly in prevention, leveraging our Systems Study and Review and Corruption Risks Assessment tools to identify all vulnerabilities to corruption within the systems and corruption-prone procedures that aid and facilitate fraud and exploitation of the system by unscrupulous public and civil servants and their private sector allies,” he added.
According to him, the ICPC had embarked on several initiatives that focused on combating the menace of corruption, thereby entrenching transparency and accountability in public systems to ensure that the benefits of good governance cascade to the grassroots.
The chairman informed me that the Commission’s Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative (CEPTi) had demonstrated the imperative of citizens’ participation, open governance, and inclusivity in the implementation of the country’s budget as it affected the people, as well as the need for a transparent procurement process that should generate value for money.
“Our National Ethics and Integrity Policy (NEIP) initiative, driven in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, is geared towards addressing the decline of national values.
“The NEIP speaks to seven core values: human dignity, voice and participation, patriotism, personal responsibility, integrity, national unity, and professionalism.
“It will ensure national cohesion, law and order, security, and safety of persons and property, as well as freedoms and duties as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Owasanoye informed.
He further informed us that, with the support of very credible partners, ICPC had been working incisively to deal with illicit financial flows (IFFs) out of the country.
According to the ICPC boss, “So far, our Proceeds of Crimes Tracing, Recovery, and Management tool has ensured that the corrupt are denied the luxury of enjoying their loots.
“The Commission, in this regard, has, in accordance with the recently passed Proceeds of Crime Act 2022, disposed of some of the moveable and immovable proceeds of crime on which it secured final forfeiture.
“The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility of all and not just of the anti-corruption and other law enforcement agencies.
‘In this regard, we fight corruption as an existential threat to the stability of society and the peace and progress of society.
“There is no middle course or alternative; we either deal with this malady or it will ultimately trigger a social crisis.”
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has commended the ICPC for its unwavering dedication to its vital role as the apex body legally mandated to confront corruption and other related offences in Nigeria.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, Honourable Kayode Akiole, made the commendation while speaking at the event, asserting that ICPC has fostered a culture of accountability and integrity in Nigeria.
“The Commission’s accomplishments, including notable convictions across various sectors, have fostered a culture of accountability and integrity in our society.
“The ICPC’s forward-thinking initiatives, such as establishing an anti-corruption club in schools and engaging young people through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), demonstrate its commitment to instilling values of transparency and honesty in our youth,” Akiole said.
He then emphasised the need for more funding from the ICPC with a view to supporting the war against corruption.
“It is crucial that we increase the appropriation for the ICPC, recognising that adequate funding is indispensable in bolstering the Commission’s capacity to combat corruption comprehensively.
“By allocating the necessary resources, we can empower the ICPC to continue its invaluable work, fostering a more transparent and corruption-free Nigeria,” he recommended.
The ICPC’s Ondo State office, according to the commission’s spokesperson, was the sixth prototype building to be commissioned since the inception of the Professor Owasanoye-led board of the commission in 2019.
The one-story facility, which is located at GRA Block A, Plot 3C Oda Road, Akure, she informed, had two conference rooms, staff offices, interview rooms, detention facilities, a library, and a store, amongst others.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
How Sunday Igboho got his freedom — Prof Akintoye
The leader of Ilana Omo Oodua, a self determination movement for Yoruba nation, Professor Banji Akintoye, on Saturday, declared that…
FULL LIST: 43 items that are no longer contraband for importation
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has removed restrictions on the importation of all 43 items that…
How N16 almost made me to drop out of school —Prof Ogundana
Celina Folakemi Ogundana, an academic and professor of Sociology, is the…
I don’t have billionaire boyfriend, I lied —Mercy Eke
Former Big Brother Naija winner, Mercy Eke, has set the record straight by admitting that she…
Kenyan authorities arrest fake lawyer who won 26 cases in court
Kenyan authorities have arrested a fake lawyer, Brian Mwenda, who has won 26 cases while parading…
2023 AFCON: Super Eagles will be difficult opponent for Cote d’Ivoire — Drogba
Cote d’Ivoire legend Didier Drogba has predicted a difficult duel against the Super Eagles of…
