The Board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Monday, In this Light, A 27-year-old lady, Hannatu Muhammad, was among members of the board, However, the choice of the young woman from Jigawa State was in compliance with the provision of the ICPC Act, requiring a representative from the youth.
The new Chairman of the commission is Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, the fourth since former President Olusegun Obasanjo established the ICPC in 1999.
The other members of the board are Dr Grace Chinda (Delta); Mrs Olubukola Balogun (Lagos); Okolo Titus (Enugu); Obiora Iqwedebia (Anambra); Justice Adamu Bello (Katsina); Abdullahi Maikanu-Saidu (Niger); and Yahaya Umah- Daudu (Nasarawa).
Speaking at the event, Buhari said corruption remained the country’s biggest setback to progress, adding that except it was contained, it would ultimately “kill Nigeria.”
He told the session that on winning his second term, his focus would remain to eradicate corruption in the country.
Buhari spoke more, “Corruption has negatively affected our political, economic and social life. Those opposed to our fight against corruption berate us for our focus, determination and single-mindedness.
“They pretend that they do not know what corruption is, but Nigerians know what corruption is. Ordinary people know what corruption is and they support our effort and determination to fight it.
“The abuse of public office for private gain represents corruption in its worst form. The circumvention of public policies and processes for competitive advantage and profit is another form of corruption.
“The abuse of public office for personal benefit even if no bribery occurs is also corruption. The diversion of state revenue or miss-application of budgeted funds falls into the same category.
“I am particularly delighted that the ICPC law under which you will operate is robust enough to assist government to sanitise the public sector of corruption in service delivery, public procurement, diversion of public revenue, deliberate misuse of public funds, and so on.”
The President expressed concern that in spite of the war against official graft, some government agencies under-declared the revenue they generated on behalf of the government.
While responding on behalf of other members, Owasanoye praised Buhari, saying that he had the political will to combat corruption.
“Any person who cheated or looted the nation will be brought to justice, irrespective of the status of the person in society,” he the delegation, was led by Sheik Abdulrasheed Hadiyatullah.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment