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HEDA, CEFTIW Hosts Anti-Corruption Conference
The significance of the upcoming Two-Day National Anti-Corruption Conference organized by HEDA Resource Centre and CEFTIW in Nigeria is in the front burner.
This conference aims to assess the progress made in the fight against corruption and establish a roadmap for the future under the new government.
Join policymakers, experts, and stakeholders in discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions to combat corruption effectively.
In a dedicated effort to evaluate Nigeria’s anti-corruption progress and pave the way for a more effective fight against corruption in the future, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CEFTIW) have jointly announced a Two-Day National Anti-Corruption Conference.
Supported by the MacArthur Foundation, this conference will be followed by an esteemed Anti-Corruption Champions’ Dinner.
Scheduled for the 11th and 12th of July 2023 in Abuja, this event aims to shed light on the theme “Nigeria and the Fight Against Corruption – Reviewing the Buhari Regime and Setting Agenda for the Tinubu Administration.”
Assessing Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Efforts
Under President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure over the past eight years, Nigeria’s anti-corruption measures have faced scrutiny.
As a result, questions have emerged about the effectiveness of these efforts, with conflicting reports complicating the assessment.
The forthcoming conference seeks to address these concerns and provide a comprehensive evaluation.
A notable study titled “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends,” jointly published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in December 2019, highlighted a reduction in corruption levels experienced by the population.
However, Nigeria’s ranking in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index remains low.
Addressing The Challenge:
The fight against corruption poses ongoing challenges but also opportunities for improvement.
Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA Resource Centre, emphasized the need for renewed hope and expressed optimism about effectively addressing these issues under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Exploring Challenges And Opportunities
The Two-Day National Anti-Corruption Conference and the subsequent dinner aim to facilitate in-depth discussions, expert presentations, and the exchange of ideas regarding the challenges and opportunities in the fight against corruption.
Five policy briefs will be developed, tailored to key stakeholders such as the Presidency, National Assembly, Judiciary, Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs), including Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), Development Partners, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
These policy briefs will offer strategic recommendations and guidance to actively engage each target audience in the fight against corruption, ensuring a collective effort towards transparency and integrity under the new administrative dispensation.
Conference Highlights
The conference, spanning two days, will feature engaging panel discussions, enlightening presentations, and interactive sessions.
Distinguished experts, policymakers, and representatives from various sectors will share their insights, experiences, and research findings. Through collaboration among stakeholders, innovative approaches to combat corruption effectively will be generated.
Anti-Corruption Champions Dinner
Following the conference, the Anti-Corruption Champions Dinner will bring together prominent figures, especially those in the new government and members of the National Assembly, along with other critical stakeholders.
This dinner aims to raise awareness about the implications of corruption and highlight opportunities to address this menace.
By inspiring a collective commitment to anti-corruption efforts, the organizers aim to mobilize influential individuals to actively combat corruption and continue as champions and changemakers in the polity.
Expectations and Keynote Speech
Anticipation and interest are palpable among the Nigerian public, as these events signify the nation’s determination to intensify the fight against corruption and promote transparency and integrity.
The keynote speech, expected to be delivered by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, will be accompanied by the Vice President, Mr. Kashim Shettima, as the Special Guest of Honour.
Heads of Nigeria’s Courts and other prominent stakeholders will also attend as Guests of Honour.
Shaping The Anti-Corruption Agenda
The outcomes of this conference will play a pivotal role in shaping the anti-corruption agenda of the Tinubu administration and its engagement by stakeholders.
It will provide a comprehensive guide for all sectors and stakeholders to contribute effectively to the fight against corruption.
The conference is set to commence on the African Day Against Corruption, promising productive exchanges of ideas and experiences.
Join the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) and the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CEFTIW) in their efforts to evaluate Nigeria’s progress in the fight against corruption.
Be part of this significant conference, where policymakers, experts, and stakeholders will collaborate to chart the way forward and combat corruption effectively.
Together, we can foster transparency, integrity, and a brighter future for Nigeria.
The Anambra Government has imposed a one-month sanction on Blossom Fount School, Awka, for allegedly selling the position of head prefect during a student election.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh.
According to the commissioner, the school reportedly demanded N5,000 from each pupil aspiring to become head prefect in the primary section.
Chuma-Udeh condemned the act, describing it as an attempt to “sell the psyche of the children to the highest bidder from the cradle.”
According to her, such practices are unacceptable under the administration of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.
She said that an investigation was ongoing to examine the school’s broader management practices, with the possibility of further actions based on the findings.
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the arrest and continued detention of former House of Representatives member, Muhammad Kazaure, describing it as a violation of due process.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Atiku said Kazaure’s detention reflects a brazen disregard for the rule of law, accusing the anti-graft agency of operating beyond the limits of the Nigerian Constitution.
Atiku alleged that the EFCC is increasingly becoming a tool for political repression, citing what he called a troubling pattern of lawlessness under the current administration.
He said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has once again plunged headlong into its well-worn pattern of lawlessness, arresting and detaining citizens with brazen disregard for due process and without offering any justification for its actions.”
Atiku also referenced the recent arrest of social commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, whose release followed intense public pressure. He suggested that Kazaure’s case fits into a broader trend of state institutions being used to silence dissenting voices.
“We witnessed this same abuse in the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, whose release was only secured after massive public outrage and pressure.
“Now, the EFCC has targeted Hon. Muhammad Kazaure, a former member of the House of Representatives and an unapologetic critic of the gross misgovernance and failings of the Tinubu administration.
“Abducted in Kano and whisked away to Abuja, Kazaure is presently being held incommunicado, with no formal charge or explanation offered to his family, legal team, or the Nigerian people.
“Let it be stated without equivocation: even if there were legitimate grounds for arresting any citizen, such action must adhere strictly to the rule of law. The EFCC is duty-bound to publicly disclose the reasons for any arrest and must not detain individuals indefinitely under the guise of investigation.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is unequivocal on this matter—every detainee must be promptly charged to court or released. By once again trampling on the fundamental rights of a Nigerian citizen, the EFCC is entrenching itself deeper into the mire of impunity and constitutional delinquency.
“It’s deafening silence regarding the arrest of Hon. Kazaure, a man who represented the good people of Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa, and Yankwashi federal constituency, lays bare the agency’s contempt for transparency and justice.
Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has ignited social media buzz after posting a 15-second TikTok video set to the trending song Omo Ologo — a track closely linked with President Bola Tinubu.
The video, shared on her TikTok page on May 8, shows the embattled lawmaker smiling and playfully interacting with the camera. Captioned, “Just for fun, song choked,” the post has drawn mixed reactions online, with some interpreting it as a light-hearted moment, while others suspect a deeper political undertone.
The video comes just days after the song Omo Ologo was performed live by Kano-based singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara during a dinner in Katsina State held in honour of President Tinubu, who was on a two-day working visit to assess security in the region.
The song, which blends Hausa and Yoruba, praises Tinubu as a victorious leader who has outlasted his critics.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s TikTok post follows a series of dramatic exchanges between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The senator was suspended from the upper legislative chamber in March after accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment — an allegation that triggered heated debate in the National Assembly.
In what appeared to be a bold response to her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan recently posted a sarcastic apology video to Akpabio on Facebook, in which she claimed she was sorry “for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect.”
The post was accompanied by a short video, further fueling controversy.
Akpabio’s legal team has since approached a federal high court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling the senator to delete the post from her social media pages.
In a counter-affidavit filed by her lawyer, Jubril Okutepa (SAN), Akpoti-Uduaghan’s camp described the motion as an attempt to silence and intimidate her.
The court is expected to rule on the matter on May 12.