By Miriam Humbe
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu SAN, has called on all Nigerians from different sectors to adopt preventive measures in order to win the fight against corruption.
Dr. Aliyu made this call when the American Business Council (ABC), paid a courtesy visit to him at the ICPC headquarters on Tuesday.
Spokesperson for the ICPC, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua revealed this in a statement signed on Wednesday.
The ICPC Chairman who was represented by the Secretary to the Commission Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu stressed the importance of adopting preventive methods in fighting corruption while highlighting the prevention aspect of the Commission’s mandate.
He went further to state that the Commission through the Public Enlightenment and Education Department has set up Schools Anti-Corruption Clubs (SACs) to enlighten the younger generation on the dangers of corruption and to enlist their support against corruption.
Since greed, poverty, abuse of office and other vices have stalled the fight against corruption in Nigeria, the ICPC boss said that it was important that Nigerians take the fight against corruption personal to boost economic development.
“The fight against corruption cannot be done by the anti-graft agencies alone”. He said.
Earlier in her remarks, the CEO/Executive Secretary of ABC, Mrs. Margaret Olele who led the delegation said the visit was aimed to propose potential partnership in a project called the Private Sector Development for Democracy Forum (PSDDF).
Speaking further on the objectives of the forum, Dr. Joe Abah, Country Director Development Activities International (DAI), and Steering Committee member (PSDDF), said the forum had its focus on questions revolving around the level of corruption, lack of accountability and decline of trust in governance.
He went further to say that as Nigeria celebrates 25 years of un-broken democracy, the forum’s objectives also include addressing issues of corruption, strengthening democracy, reinforcing democratic institutions, promoting capacity building and civic education; land tenure reforms and data-driven dialogue.
Abah stressed the need for institutions to collaborate to rid the nation of corruption as the government cannot win the fight alone.
Also speaking during the visit, Mrs. Lola Adekanye, Country Director, Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), expressed the belief that ICPC’s partnership would help change the structure and the norms that enable corruption.
In his response, Secretary to the Commission said ICPC is ready and willing to partner with ABC to reduce corruption to the barest minimum and boost economic development.
