Crime

ICPC: Corruption Has Crippled Nigeria;what Citizens should do

Published by Tope Fakinlede on December 6th, 2024.

ICPC: Corruption Has Crippled Nigeria;what Citizens should do

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has emphasized that corruption has severely undermined Nigeria’s economic and social systems, urging Nigerians to summon the courage to expose corrupt practices.

Mrs. Ekere Usiere, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for ICPC, made these remarks on Thursday in Yenagoa during an event to mark Anti-Corruption Day, organized by the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

In her address, titled From Fear to Courage: Overcoming Barriers to Whistleblowing in Nigeria, Usiere stressed that if the nation does not confront corruption head-on, it risks being overwhelmed by it in the near future. She called for a collective effort to overcome the fear of whistleblowing, which she identified as a critical barrier to tackling corruption effectively.

Usiere stated, “It is undeniable that corruption has brought Nigeria to its knees, leading to economic stagnation and social decay. If we do not eliminate corruption, it will eventually destroy Nigeria. That’s why we must create an effective whistleblowing framework, which is essential in the fight against corruption.”

She continued, “To effectively report corruption, Nigerians need courage. Overcoming cultural, psychological, and systemic barriers is essential in tackling this issue. This event is a step in the right direction. It’s time to replace fear with courage and stand up against corruption. If we want to defeat corruption and reduce its grip on Nigeria, we must wear the armor of courage and take action.”

The message was clear: “If you see something, speak out. If you hear something, speak out.”

Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of NCDMB, also commended the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit for their efforts in organizing the event. He reiterated the Board’s commitment to protecting the institution from corruption through preventive measures.

“We are here today to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, with a focus on raising awareness among our youth about the destructive effects of corruption on the socio-economic development of any country,” Ogbe said. “In NCDMB, we’ve taken proactive steps to combat corruption. We’ve equipped our ACTU members with the resources and freedom to do their work effectively.”

He further explained the board’s commitment to anti-corruption through capacity building initiatives, including training staff on corruption prevention techniques, workplace anti-corruption campaigns, and bribery risk assessments. The board has also instituted corruption risk assessments to examine key areas such as human resources, procurement, monitoring, and planning, ensuring the institution’s operations are less vulnerable to corruption.

The event also featured a debate competition among Federal Government colleges from all six geopolitical zones. Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State, emerged as the winner, while Federal Government College, Kazaure, Jigawa State, claimed second place.