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Tag: Anti-Corruption

  • Anti-Corruption: MacArthur Foundation urges Nigerian govt to leverage technology

    Anti-Corruption: MacArthur Foundation urges Nigerian govt to leverage technology

    The MacArthur Foundation has urged governments at all levels to leverage technology to combat public sector fraud while charging political leaders in Nigeria to stay committed to the fight against corruption.

    Africa Director of the Foundation, Dr Kole Shettima, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG.

    Shettima, who underscored the importance of the MacArthur Foundation’s support for anti-corruption initiatives in Nigeria, lamented the impact of corruption on Nigerian society and identified the lack of political will by leaders as the major drawback to efforts aimed at curbing the menace.

    He stressed that “Nigeria can make significant progress if only political leaders are committed to the fight against corruption,” adding that technology and digitization can reduce human interaction and the prevalence of public sector scams.

    “I think there is a solution to the problem of corruption. I believe that technology can solve a lot of problems because the less contact you have with public officials, the more you can resort to technology. Technology can contribute to solving a lot of the problems we have.

    “But unfortunately, our system is in such a way that they make it difficult for you to take advantage of the technology. They make the process so cumbersome that your patience is tested, and you may resort to paying the money. I think that part of the solution that we have to think about is the deployment of technology to reduce human contact. That can contribute to the reduction of the corruption in the society.

    “One thing is that fighting corruption is about political interest, so it depends on which government is in power and if they want to fight corruption. If the political class is not interested in fighting corruption, there are certain things that we can do.”

    Shettima urged citizens not to relent in fighting corruption, decrying that poor Nigerians are worst affected by its negative impact.

    “Corruption is the biggest task on poor people. It’s the reason their children don’t get access to education or quality education, the reason their wives and daughters die in maternities for lack of medication, the reason for the terrible accidents where people are dying on the roads because a contractor didn’t do their job.

    “It’s the reason our children are leaving this country because they know if they don’t know somebody somewhere, they don’t have the opportunity to be who they are supposed to be.

    “I hope they (political leaders) realize that the only way this country will develop is if they commit themselves to fighting this corruption,” He stated.

    Shettima, despite acknowledging that there are more grounds to be covered in corruption reduction, expressed excitement at some of the impacts MacArthur Foundation’s support had made in Nigeria while assuring of the Foundation’s continued stay and support in Nigeria as the “ON NIGERIA PROJECT” comes to an end in December 2024.

    He explained: “MacArthur Foundation is not leaving Nigeria.

    “For over 30 years, the Foundation has focused on different things. At some point, we looked at population and reproductive health, the Niger Delta, Human Rights, Universities, girls, secondary education, so this is just a normal set of transition that happens”.

    On his part, PRIMORG’s Executive Director, Okhiria Agbonsuremi, commended the MacArthur Foundation for their support over the years, revealing that the far-reaching impact of funds received by PRIMORG continues to be felt by millions of citizens nationwide.

    Agbonsuremi noted that through the Foundation’s support, the integrity stories of Nigerians are spotlighted, reinforcing the belief that there are many honest people out there.

    “PRIMORG is a proud beneficiary of the MacArthur Foundation’s support and our partner media organizations, whose investigative reports are amplified during our radio programme.

    “We are glad to say that with the Foundation’s support, in collaboration with Accountability Lab Nigeria, we have been celebrating citizens who displayed integrity in their daily lives and, in so doing, encourage millions of citizens to maintain high moral and ethical standards,” He said.

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

  • Anti-Corruption: Tinubu urged to ensure passage of Whistleblower Protection Law

    Anti-Corruption: Tinubu urged to ensure passage of Whistleblower Protection Law

    President Bola Tinubu has been urged to urgently take steps to advance Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight by ensuring there’s enactment of whistleblowing and whistleblower protection laws in the country.

    The call is coming ahead of a two-day sub-regional conference on whistleblowing and whistleblower legislation organized by The African Centre for Media & Information Literacy, AFRICMIL, in partnership with the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, in Abuja.

    AFRICMIL’s Programme Manager, Godwin Onyeacholem, said Tinubu should take advantage of his rapport with members of the National Assembly to urgently pass the draft whistleblowing bill in the administration’s possession into law. Noting that “the best way for the government to show its readiness and sincerity about anti-corruption fight is by strengthening whistleblowing.”

    Onyeacholem made this known during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by PRIMORG, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Assessing the anti-corruption fight under the current administration, He said the Tinubu-led administration has not shown enough will and seriousness, urging the former Lagos state Governor to courageously see to the passing of whistleblowing into law.

    “There is an Executive Bill as we speak, which civil society groups worked on, which was supposed to be passed by the 9th National Assembly (NASS). It’s now lying on the desk of the President, so he has to re-present it to the NASS, so if they want it passed today, it can be done.

    “The President (Tinubu) should take immediate steps to send the Bill to the legislature and ensure a quick passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill into law.

    “I have not seen any concrete fight against corruption under the current administration. First of all, pass this whistleblower protection bill into law immediately. Whistleblowing is the best way so far to fight corruption,” He insisted.

    Onyeacholem identified poor leadership and corruption as the main reasons for the inability of many countries in the West African sub-region to pass whistleblowing laws, adding that Tinubu is expected to use his position as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in galvanizing other members to enact whistleblower protection laws.

    “Poor leadership across the board. West Africa has been identified as one of the most corrupt subregions in the world. You’ll see the effects of corruption in West Africa have destabilized some of these West African countries. Nothing is happening yet to fight this monster that has held us back since independence. It still boils down to the political will of the leaders”.

    He revealed that the two-day sub-regional conference on whistleblowing and whistleblower legislation for West African countries seeks to “get Civil Society Actors, Media, law enforcement, security, development partners and government agencies to come together and brainstorm on how to ensure there is a protection law in each of these countries across the West African sub-region; and to encourage people to come out and report wrongdoing while they are sure that there is a framework to protect them.”

    Onyeacholem, however, urged citizens to see whistleblowing as helping law enforcement agencies perform their duties as enshrined in section 22 of the Constitution.

    On his part, PRIMORG’s Media & Communications Officer Chidozie Ogbonnaya joined the call for the government of the day to expedite actions towards getting the nation a whistleblower law, noting that citizens continue to bear the brunt of corruption in the country through poor governance structure and absence of basic amenities.

    Ogbonnaya lauded the efforts of PRIMORG, AFRICMIL, and other civil society groups who have remained relentless over the years in advocating for Nigeria to transition from operating a whistleblower policy to legislation.

    He reassured PRIMORG’s commitment to urging political leaders to strengthen the fight against corruption and for citizens to participate in building a better country.

    “We are collaborating with AFRICMIL to push for the enactment of the whistleblower legislation in Nigeria. We want whistleblowers to be protected, and we will stop at nothing to continue this advocacy, and we want you all (citizens) to join us.

    “In the past six years, PRIMORG and AFRICMIL have been on a vigorous campaign on government to do something about whistleblower legislation. And I tend to wonder what the country would be without anti-corruption campaigns, So relenting is not an option. We will continue to push because we must get a better country – we don’t have another country,” Ogbonnaya assured.

    The two-day sub-regional conference on whistleblowing and whistleblower legislation in West Africa will be held on 26 and 27 November 2024 in Abuja.

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.

    The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

  • NDLEA pursuing vendetta against Senator Ashiru with baseless allegations -Anti-Corruption group

    NDLEA pursuing vendetta against Senator Ashiru with baseless allegations -Anti-Corruption group

    The Independent Crusade Against Corruption & Injustice (ICACI), has described as “baseless” and “afterthought witch-hunt”, for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to have come out against the Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Yisa Ashiru with spurious allegations.

    The NDLEA, through its Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, had alleged that, the Senator’s personal house situated in GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State, has been used to

    The NDLEA alleged that the Senator’s residence was raided after intelligence revealed it was being used as a drug joint, claiming two of the Senator’s aides were arrested during the raid, while one managed to escape.

    The NDLEA’s allegations came barely 24 hours, after the Senate Deputy Leader, made contributions on the Bill for an Act to establish National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, which would take away, the job of rehabilitation and post-convict orientation of drug addicts from the NDLEA.

    In his contributions, Senator Ashiru, apparently speaking based on informed position, described the NDLEA as “the most corrupt and compromised agency”, hence, his support for the establishment of the new institute.

    In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja Sunday evening, and signed by the President of the anti-corruption group, ICACI, Dr. Guy Fredrick Abu, the Chairman of NDLEA, Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.), was given 7 days ultimatum to publicly apologize to Senator Ashiru and the institution of the National Assembly of Nigeria, to save the country of any international embarrassment.

    The group said, it had conducted a preliminary investigation and “can boldy submit that the NDLEA is pursuing personal vendetta with the Distinguished Senator, for standing up to support a Bill which the NDLEA has been doing so much underground to kill”.

    “If it is not personal vendetta and afterthought witch-hunt, how on earth, would an agency of the government that wants to be taken seriously, would claim it arrested and prosecuted people close to the Senator, to the extent of saying the Lawmaker sent his Personal Assistant to intervene on behalf of the accused, but would keep it underground for over 3 years, only to come out after it was known that the man supported a Bill which the NDLEA felt as rival?

    “Even though the agency didn’t mention the name of the court where the accused were tried, but even if the Senator was mentioned in connection to the crime, what has the NDLEA been waiting for all these years, until he contested and won election and still emerged as Principal Officer of the 10th Senate?

    “If the NDLEA wants Nigerians to believe them, it means they have been covering this allegation, until such a time that they felt the Senator started supporting establishment of another agency. How many more high profile personalities the NDLEA may have also covered in this regard? Assuming we want to believe their cock and bull story. It then confirms the submission of the Senator that the agency is corrupt.

    “But our preliminary investigation has revealed Senator Ashiru to be an upright man in the society, both at home and in Abuja. Ashiru is 68 years old man who has never tasted red wine or any form of alcohol since he was a child. We had had cause to discuss with 2 classmates of his – one from his primary school days and another, his University mate; in the course of our investigations.

    “We can categorically tell Nigerians that the NDLEA only wants to embarrass Nigeria and National Assembly before the international community, because, already, nothing is left in their pride, as far as professionalism is concerned.

    “We are giving the Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA just 7 days, to come out openly and apologize to Senator Ashiru, the institution of National Assembly and Nigerians in general. Failure to do this, our members shall mobilize other Nigerians to occupy the NDLEA headquarters, until the needful is done”, the statement added.

  • Kano Perm. Sec., Kwankwaso’s nephew arrested over alleged drug scam

    Kano Perm. Sec., Kwankwaso’s nephew arrested over alleged drug scam

    The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested five persons, including Alhaji Mohammed Kabawa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, over an alleged multi-billion naira drugs supply scam.

    Also arrested by the commission was the chairman of the state branch of  Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Abdullahi Bashir, who is also the Chairman Tauroni Local Government Area (LGA).

    Similarly, the anti-graft agency arrested the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, Garba Kwankwaso, the nephew of the NNPP National Leader, Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso, in connection with the alleged scam.

    The suspects were accused of connivance to award a contract to Novomed for the supply of drugs to 38 LGAs government areas in the state, thus violating public procurement laws.

    Preliminary investigations revealed that each of the 38 LGAs paid N9.150 million to Novomed for the procurement of drugs but the drugs were not supplied.

    “We have 44 LGAs in the state and they succeeded in collecting N9.150 from 38 councils for supply of the drugs that were not supplied

    “The findings also revealed that all the suspects are cooperating with the commission’s investigation team”, a source close to the case told NAN.

    The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Kabiru Kabiru, confirmed the arrests, adding that the investigation was ongoing.

    Kabiru said the commission was working to unravel the full extent of the alleged scam and bring those responsible to justice.

    He also confirmed that the suspects were in the commission’s custody as at the time of filing this report.

  • Our anti-corruption fight ‘ll spare no one – EFCC

    Our anti-corruption fight ‘ll spare no one – EFCC

    The EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, has assured of leading a broad-based and holistic anti-graft war that would not spare anyone linked with any form of economic and financial crimes.

    Mr Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja quoted Olukoyese as having said this.

    The EFCC boss gave the assurance in Abuja at an Anti-Corruption Concert organised to create greater awareness and public involvement in the fight against internet crimes.

    Olukoyede reaffirmed his commitment to an all-embracing, fully-integrated war against corrupt practices.

    “We will not spare anyone.  We will not spare the mega thieves.  As we are doing the mega, we will also do those at the lower end.

    “In the last two months, we have arraigned  two former governors.  So, it is not true that we are only focused on internet fraudsters.

    “Of course, internet fraud is bad enough but our focus is on every form of economic and financial crimes”, he said.

    He cautioned youths against indulging in internet-related offences,  pointing out that the consequences of being convicted for such crimes are grave.

    “Youths need to know that being ex-convicts has career limitations.  Ex-convicts can’t run for public offices,  the stigma alone is even terrible.

    “I urge you to avoid internet crimes by all means.  Your future is more important than any immediate gains from such crimes,” he said.

    Olukoyede said EFCC under his watch was deeply interested in giving youths a glorious and sustainable future and to this effect.

    To this effect, he said, a Cyber Crime Research Centre was being planned in the New Academy of the EFCC.

    “The centre will involve youths in indepth research about the issue of cybercrime.  Their energies will be deployed toward profitable engagements,” he said.

    He charged the youth to embrace hard work and diligence,  stressing that the path to success was hard work and dignity.

    “There is dignity in labour.  Let’s come together. All of us must come together and agree that corruption is evil. Don’t’ leave the fight to EFCC alone,” he said.

    The Minister of State for Youth Development,  Ayodele Olawande, enjoined the youth across the country to support the EFCC in its crusade against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

    “Nigeria is supposed to have progressed more than this. We will not allow corrupt people to destroy our future that is why we need to come together and fight this evil in our society.

    “That is why we need to continuously run this campaign because I am convinced that everyone of us have a part to play, without you, there is little or nothing EFCC can do.

    “Let’s show the world that Nigeria young people are determined to change the narrative,” he said.

  • Anti corruption group hails Tinubu for suspending EFCC Boss, Bawa

    Anti corruption group hails Tinubu for suspending EFCC Boss, Bawa

    The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for suspending of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from office.

    Recall that a statement from the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, on Wednesday, announced the suspension of Abdulrasheed.

    CACOL In a statement on Thursday by the anti-graft coalition’s Director of Administration and Programmes, Tola Oresanwo, on behalf of its Chairman, Mr Debo Adeniran, said the suspension was a welcome development that was long overdue.

    “It was reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has indefinitely suspended the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from office, to allow for a thorough investigation into his conduct while in office following “weighty allegations” of abuse of office against him.

    “The suspension of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa, from office is a welcome development that is long overdue due to the sensitive nature of his office. We had earlier joined other Civil Society Organisations to call on the immediate Past President, Muhammadu Buhari, to relieve Bawa of his appointment to allow for thorough investigations of allegations against him.

    “It should be noted that we wrote the Senate not to confirm him based on the allegations levelled against him when he headed the Port Harcourt office of the anti-graft agency but the Attorney General smuggled him in and got the National Assembly to confirm him.

    ”Moreover, because of how and how the immediate past Acting Chairman of the agency, Ibrahim Magu, was eased out of EFCC, we opined that Magu was yet to be removed from the office permanently and that he was still the Acting Chairman of the agency. So by this action coming from the President, we have been vindicated as we have opposed Bawa’s nomination from the beginning.

    “It must also be noted that we are not opposed to the commission’s mandate to fight corruption but we are opposed to the seeming politicization of the agency under Mr Bawa, its clear fixation on certain individuals in society, needless media trial, alleged corruption within the agency, and how EFCC officials act above the law by corrupting our judicial processes with impunity.

    “We, therefore, commend President Bola Tinubu for heeding the people’s yearnings by taking drastic action which the past administration found too challenging. This singular action by the President would warn all others holding one position of authority or the other that they can be called to give an account of their stewardship at any time.

    “We would like to advise that the selection of the next Chairman of the Commission be based on merit, and political consideration be downplayed. It will allow the agency to function and discharge its duties without fear or favour. The government should also support the good work of fighting corruption to a standstill by the agency”, it stated.

  • We have made significant strides in security, anti-corruption, others – Buhari

    We have made significant strides in security, anti-corruption, others – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that the Government has recorded significant strides in the three major pillars of the present administration since 2015. The major pillars included security, economy and anti-corruption.

    He stated this at the Ebonyi Maiden Honours Awards at the state Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki on Thursday night.

    Buhari, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, commended Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on his shining principles and for the development of the state.

    “I commend Umahi on his support to the federal government policies on diversification of the economy through agriculture and ensuring food security.

    “Today, Ebonyi state is one of the highest producers of rice in the country. This is a shining example of what is possible under a visionary and determined leader,” the president said.

    On the state award, Buhari noted that it was good to encourage quality services and leadership.

    Newsmen reports that an award was conferred on former President Goodluck Jonathan as Great Grand Commander Of Ebonyi Hall of Fame (GGCEHF).

    Responding, Jonathan described the award as significant and urged Umahi to continue to showcase good governance for his people and Nigeria at large.

    He further commended Umahi for lifting Ebonyi with meagre resources for mega projects.

    “Umahi is doing well for his people and Nigeria at large. Award is a relevant thing and not just groundnut shared by the children.

    “Awards are being given to those who have made significant contribution to the state of the nation. We are happy today, we have been honoured.

    “So, we thank Ebonyi state government for recorgnising us and we promised to do our best to support them in any way and anywhere we are.

    “As we have been honoured today, we are indebted to the state,” the former president stated.

    NAN reports that other awardees are the Inspector General of Police Baba Alkali and the family of late General Sani Abacha, who created the state.

    The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Onyenuche; former governor of Abia Theodore Orji; and Ebonyi founding fathers, were among other recipients for their selfless contributions to the progress of the state.

    Umahi had earlier said the event was to recognise those who contributed enormously to the creation and development of the state.

    He thanked Buhari and Jonathan on their support to Ebonyi.

  • NCC committed to FG’s anti-corruption crusade – Danbatta

    NCC committed to FG’s anti-corruption crusade – Danbatta

    Consistent with its recognition as an ethically-compliant public institution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with other government agencies towards supporting Federal Government’s anti-corruption campaigns.

    This was stated by the Director, Human Capital and Administration, Mr. Usman Malah, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, to host a delegation from the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), which paid a courtesy visit to commend NCC for its role in enabling embrace of digital culture in the country.

    According to Malah, the NCC earned a score of 81.15 percent in the year 2020, putting it in the top 10 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government among 352 MDAs assessed on Ethics Compliance and Integrity Scorecard (ECIS) by the ICPC.

    Malah told the PCC delegation that “with this performance, the Commission also emerged as the most ethically compliant government regulatory agency for the year 2020 under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.”

    According to Malah, it was natural for NCC to support efforts geared towards tackling corruption in the country. Therefore, he said NCC was willing to collaborate with the PCC to boost anti-corruption campaign of the Federal Government aimed at curbing corruption and negative tendencies among the Nigerian youth.

    The Commission acknowledged PCC’s enlightenment programme on anti-corruption targeted at the Nigerian public, the youths and students, who, he said, can be great stakeholders for the sustainability of the anti-corruption campaign, and support for telecom sector initiatives to boost the national economy.

    Malah said the “NCC also strongly associates with the central objective of PCC, which is to redress all forms of administrative injustice in Nigeria, and the noble goal of promoting social justice, especially in a world that is increasingly complex and sophisticated for the average individual, given the rapid advancements in technology and diversity of practices.”

    Earlier, the PCC Secretary, Philip Enyali, who represented the Chief Commissioner (Ombudsman of the Federal Republic), Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf, commended Danbatta for maintaining zero tolerance for corruption and for the noble achievements of the Commission under his leadership. Ayo-Yusuf said NCC strides have seen the telecommunications sector contributing immensely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and overall economic growth of the nation.

    Enyali stated that the PCC’s purpose of visiting the NCC was to intimate the telecom regulator on the scheduled Anti-Corruption Marathon at the Eagle Square, Abuja, as well as the National Youth and Students Summit which will take place later in December 2022.

    “We are here to request the support and partnership of the NCC in hosting the two events targeted at curbing anti-corruption tendencies among the Nigerian youth as well as create opportunity to discourage young people from indulging in corrupt practices,” Ayo-Yusuf said.

  • ICPC urges community, religious leaders to join anti-corruption fight

    ICPC urges community, religious leaders to join anti-corruption fight

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged community and religious leaders to support the anti-corruption fight at the grassroots level.

    The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said the war should be taken to the communities through the enthronement of intergrity, transparency and accountability among the people.

    He spoke in Owerri at a workshop on behavioural change, national ethics and integrity policy and constituency projects tracking initiative.

    It was organised by the commission for traditional and religious leaders as well as community-based civil society groups.

    Owasanoye, represented by the​ South-East member on the ICPC board, Sen. Anthony Agbo, said that all hands must be on deck for the anti-corruption war to succeed.

    He identified the endemic corruption level as the root of the country’s problem, from insecurity to poor infrastructure development.

    He alleged that the biggest cases of corruption in Nigeria “are perpetrated by civil servants in active service and not politicians as erroneously believed”.

    Owasanoye argued that crimes, such as budget padding and project duplication, “are some of the ways corruption is proliferated in the civil service and resources misappropriated”.

    He, therefore, urged community and religious leaders​ to keep track of government’s projects​ in their areas and the funds appropriated for them for transparency and accountability.

    He further urged them to use their influence to bring about the desired behavioural change and promote the national ethics and intergrity policy.

    The ICPC boss also challenged more whistleblowers to expose persons engaged in coruption in order to arrest the situation before it degenerates.

    In a presentation,​ the Imo Resident Anti-corruption Commissioner, Mr Peter Alumbugu, charged community and religious leaders to rid their communities of corrupt tendencies through behavioural change strategies.

    Alumbugu further urged them to closely monitor corrupt practices and transparency issues and report observed infractions to the anti-graft agency without delay.

    He also advised them to thoroughly study and review the​ operational systems in procurement and implementation of public projects and encourage community members to participate actively in execution monitoring.

    He said that the commission had been proactive in preventing and eradicating the diversion of public funds in the implementation of public-funded projects.

    Alumbugu said this was being done through collation and analysis of suspicious projects, which were tracked and properly investigated, leading to enforcement and possible prosecution of those involved.

    He said the effort had led to significant improvement and impact on the works of various implementing agencies and a higher percentage of projects executed to specification.

    The workshop also featured a paper entitled, “Advancing the core values of the national ethics and integrity policy for behavioural change: the role of traditional and religious leaders.”

    The presenter, an Assistant Director in the commission, Mrs Chinwe Egbeocha, urged participants to imbibe the values of the policy, teach others and collaborate with ICPC and other similar agencies.

    Also, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs Maureen Oparaji, pledged the support of the agency in promoting the vision and activities of ICPC

  • Nigerian elected as African rep on UN anti-corruption board

    A Nigerian, Mr Umar Yakubu has been elected to represent African Sub-Saharan region on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Coalition Board.

    Yakubu who is the Executive Director, Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW), was elected in the third round of the preferential vote in a highly competitive process.

    A statement issued on Thursday by Mr Victor Agi, Public Affairs Manager, CeFTIW, stated that the Centre had over the years championed advocacies to entrench the culture of transparency and integrity in the nation’s public sector.

    The Centre had also deployed technological solutions to promote accountability in the nation’s fight against corruption and strengthening of the criminal justice system.

    Agi stated that Yakubu’s election would bolster CeFTIW resolve to combat corruption and promote good governance in the country and across the sub-Saharan African sub-region.

    “The Center looks forward to working with other board members and global anti-corruption crusaders in the fight against corruption in whatever form, especially in the region”.

    On Yakubu’s new place of assignment (UNCAC), Agi stated that it is a global network of over 350 Civil Society organisations (CSOs) in over 100 Countries committed to promoting the ratification, implementation and monitoring of the UN Convention against Corruption.

    With headquarters in Vienna, the Coalition was established in August 2006 to mobilise civil society actions for UNCAC at international, regional and national levels.

    In his new role, Yakubu is expected to take part in providing policy coordination and oversight of the work of the Secretariat.

    He will also take part in overseeing the development and implementation of the coalition’s strategy and promoting its activities and projects as well as  helping to identify funding opportunities.

    He will also be part of the team communicating positions of the UN coalition to wider public audiences within sub-Saharan Africa.