ABUJA – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has called on Nigerians and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country to participate in the fight against corruption.
Mr Kayode Oladele, the Chief of Staff in the Office of the EFCC Chairman, made the call on Friday in Abuja at the 2013 Transparency, Accountability, and Good Governance Integrity Heroes Award.
The award was organised by the Foundation for Transparency and Accountability, a CSO.
Oladele harped on the need to involve everybody in the fight against all forms of corruption in the society.
“Corruption hurts economies, people, and governments; hence, there is the need to involve everybody in the fight against all forms of corruption in our society.
“Incidentally, there cannot be a better time to join in the fight against corruption than now when the political economy continues to produce overnight billionaires and reactionary leaders by the day,’’ he said.
Oladele said that the continuing decay in social services and the loss of value system in the society were caused by corruption.
“To this effect, the participation of the people and civil society organisations in the realisation of a corrupt-free society is very crucial.
“Just as Transparency International has put it very succinctly, the people and civil society organisations need a place at the table,’’ EFCC official said.
He stressed the need for the people and CSOs to engage the government on the implementation of budgets, public procurement and the functioning of all anti-corruption laws and conventions.
He also stressed the need for the leaders to allow the people see the government at work by engaging them in dialogue aimed at promoting the implementation of anti-corruption laws.
Mr Dachung Bagos, the Coordinator, Foundation for Transparency and Accountability, said the award measured the degree to which the awardees had been assessed, based on their works in the public sector.
He said that the awardees were also assessed on how they had been able to build and develop their institutions, states, and the country at large in the area of anti-corruption and sustainable development.
According to him, the award was initiated in 2010 to recognise, appreciate and encourage individuals and institutions that have shown strength, zeal and desire to fight corruption.
One of the awardees, Prof. Longmas Wapmuk, the Director General, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), said he was transparent in dealing with the management and staff of the organisation.
“They gave me this award because I have been able to run the ITF in a very transparent manner. I have been able to carry my management and staff along.
“There is nothing I do that they don’t know. Everybody knows about what is happening in the ITF,’’ Wapmuk said. (NAN)
