Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, the Chairperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), has emphasized that combatting corruption in Nigeria goes beyond mere enforcement measures.
According to Owasanoye, eradicating corruption necessitates a shift in attitudes and the promotion of fundamental societal values.
He highlighted that citizens should exhibit reverence for the nation’s laws, uphold their commitments, carry out their responsibilities diligently, and treat others with respect and dignity.
He further stated that citizens must abstain from engaging in government theft, deceiving others, or any form of deceitful behavior.
Nevertheless, the ICPC Chair acknowledged the prevalent reality that many individuals in Nigeria fall short of the desired standard, requiring concerted endeavors to effect change.
Owasanoye revealed that the ICPC has devised numerous programs and initiatives aimed at fostering positive behavioral changes within society.
These initiatives encompass the National Values Curriculum, which imparts positive values to students at various educational levels; the NEIP (National Ethics and Integrity Policy); and the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard for government entities.
Owasanoye urged workshop attendees to actively communicate the NEIP to relevant stakeholders, seeking their backing and cooperation in disseminating it.
Likewise, Malam Balarabe Abbas, the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government (SSG), stressed that integrity is an indispensable component of societal value addition.
Represented by Nuhu Ishaku-Buzun, the Permanent Secretary for Cabinet and Political Affairs, Abbas called upon Nigerians to inculcate honesty and integrity values right from their households to foster a corruption-free society.
Mr. Bello Bakori, speaking on behalf of the Kaduna Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, expounded on the workshop’s purpose – to induce favorable changes in behavior throughout the country.
Bakori elucidated that the NEIP was collaboratively developed by the ICPC, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the National Orientation Agency to fortify core societal values.
The workshop engaged diverse stakeholders, encompassing civil society groups, faith-based and community associations, media representatives, youth organizations, professional bodies, and the organized private sector.
This event received support from the MacArthur Foundation, which is partnering with the ICPC and the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria to integrate social norms and behavioral change methodologies into anti-corruption research, training, and operational frameworks.
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