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Corruption: Jega wants public servants restricted from taking traditional titles
The former Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said public servants should be restricted from taking traditional titles while in service, to curb the high rate of corrupt practices.
Jega made the call on Wednesday at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) interactive session with the Chief Executive Officers of public agencies, on corruption prevention within the public service in Abuja.
According to him, it is an inducement for traditional authorities to give titles to public officers.
The former INEC boss said, “taking traditional title makes public officer prone to corrupt practices and undermine governance as it creates room for pressure to indulge in it.
“ How do you create a sense of responsibility for people to recognise that governance in the public sphere, the modern public sphere is about trust, is about responsibility
“It is about utilising public resources for the benefit of the public rather than for self-benefit or the benefit of an isolated community.
“It’s very important to do this because otherwise the pressures will keep coming,” he said.
According to him, the pressures will also tend to be such that many people will be derailed no matter how objective they want to be in discharging their responsibilities.
“I believe that one of the things perhaps we need to do, and this may be a bit controversial, I know that in the past, even under military they tried to do that, but we were not doing it.
“I think we must stop this tendency of public officers acquiring traditional titles while they are in public service because that really adds to the pressure.
“You take a title as a permanent secretary or a director and you go to your community and you have to be very subservient to the traditional ruler who gave you that title.
“They will come to you with demands and because you are a willing servant or agent then you almost always succumb to those pressures and there is no limit.
“Once it starts small, it keeps getting big and there will be no end to it,” he said.
Jega said public servants could take traditional titles after retirement, when there would not be any pressure to commit infraction.
“If you retire and you have done your best for your community in other ways not by stealing public funds and giving it to them and in the end they want to honour you for what you have done to them.
“That’s a totally different thing, but frankly it’s an inducement for traditional authorities to give titles to public officers. Now unfortunately I’m hearing even military officers are being given traditional titles.
“I’m not against traditional titles, of course I’m a republican, I’m not a monarchist, but I’m not against traditional titles.
“But I’m saying that they are now being used in a manner that undermines governance.
“In fact, it undermines the ways and manners by which resources of the public are utilised for the public rather than for self-serving objectives.
“I believe that the anti-corruption war needs to be fought in all dimensions and one good dimension,” he said.
He also called for implementation of whistle blower policy which provides legal cover for individuals who voluntarily expose acts of fraud, looted government funds and assets, financial misconduct and other forms of corruption.
“The policy also rewards a whistleblower who provides information about any financial mismanagement or tipoff.
“I recall an effort to ensure that whistleblowers are rewarded but the implementation has been a very serious challenge, I think we need to improve that process, to motivate people to be whistleblowers.
“I think to a large extent we can also minimise some of these serious issues of corruption. We have to continue to organise sensitisation efforts throughout the public sector organisations,” he said.
He urged the anti-corruption agency to keep refining the methodology of engagement with youth organisations that can actually be drivers of change with regards to fighting corruption.
“You have to separate the wheat from the chaff, because many youth organisations these days see some of these activities as opportunities for making money
“So, you have to separate those who are really doing it out of passion and sincerity of purpose from those who are doing it because they see an avenue of working with a government organisation so that they can find ways of making money.
“It’s very important, but ultimately we also have to start catching them young, as they say schools create clubs, resource them,” he said. (NAN)
The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has alleged that Nigerian security officials are planning to arrest her upon her return to Nigeria.
Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who’s still in the US, claimed the move is linked to her participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in New York on 11 March, where she raised concerns about her suspension from the Senate and sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
She disclosed this to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview on Sunday.
She said, “I’m aware there are plans underway to have me arrested as soon as I arrive Abuja.”
IPOB Lawyer Demands Probe By Security Operatives
Onitsha-based trader had been hospitalised following the
reported looting of her medicine store by officials of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The looting as contained in a viral footage, has attracted wild condemnation.
Consequently, a lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has demanded an investigation by security into the act perpetrated by NAFDAC officials.
As at the time of this report, NAFDAC is said to be preparing its response to the allegation.
While describing the heart-wrenching testimony of the devastated trader as both troubling and unacceptable, he said the woman is currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital after suffering severe shock from the traumatic incident.
Ejiofor, also a lawyer to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in a statement said it is not just an economic assault but a direct attack on her dignity and well-being.
He said, “I am deeply saddened by the viral video showing a female trader alleging that her shop was looted by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). This alarming footage exposes a grave injustice that demands urgent action.
“Recently, I strongly condemned the indiscriminate closure of shops under the guise of combating counterfeit drugs. While the fight against fake pharmaceuticals is crucial, it must be carried out through lawful and ethical means that do not jeopardize the livelihoods of innocent traders. Unfortunately, our worst fears have now materialized.
“In my previous public statement, I urged security agencies and NAFDAC to investigate their personnel implicated in these allegations. However, despite the gravity of the situation, no action has been taken.
“This latest evidence – captured on video – clearly exposes officials entrusted with regulatory enforcement, allegedly engaging in outright looting, betraying public trust.
“The heart-wrenching testimony of this devastated trader is both troubling and unacceptable. Disturbingly, information available to us confirms that this innocent woman is currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital after suffering severe shock from this traumatic incident. This is not just an economic assault but a direct attack on her dignity and well-being.
‘I, therefore, call upon the relevant security agencies to conduct a swift, transparent, and comprehensive investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for this reprehensible act.
“NAFDAC must urgently assess and provide commensurate reparations for this devastating loss, ensuring that justice is not only served but also felt by the victims. Justice delayed is justice denied. Immediate disciplinary and legal measures must be enforced to restore public confidence in our institutions.
“Such misconduct has no place in a society striving for justice, peace, and economic stability. The livelihoods of hardworking citizens must be protected, and those who abuse their positions of trust must face the full weight of the law. If we fail to act decisively, we risk enabling a culture of impunity that will only deepen public distrust in our institutions.”
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The quest to upgrade , promote and advance Secondary Education by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike through technological advancement is undaunted, not minding some drawbacks brought about by the operators before his assumption of duty.
Under his special arrangements and Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that is attracting massive infrastructure development, provision of equipment and manpower to the FCT secondary schools by discouraging the manual , local and outdated infrastructures, hence embarked by Wike led administration through massive construction, renovation and reconstruction of schools across the FCT with modest high tech equipment, including the provision of mobile clinics and portable water for students consumption, the desire to place them in line with the global standards with the attainment and provision of ICT equipment in line with the modest policies became germane.
Without mincing words , he announced the massive reorganisation, reactivation and rehabilitation of all facets of Secondary Education in the nation’s city , to bridge both the dearth of learning , equipment among many others lacking in the FCT, including the inculcation of Information and Communication Technology ICT facilities.
Aside the provision of secondary schools education to FCT residents , 36 states indigenes residents in the FCT including the adjoining states of Kogi , Niger, Nasssarawa, Kaduna and Plateau state took advantage of the proximity to move their wards into benefiting from the secondary education curricula in the FCT.
Since Secondary Schools Education is now inculcated into Basic Education in line with the new policy thrust of the federal government, the need to rejig it cannot be overstressed, therefore desiring Urgent and adequate attention through manpower reorientation, equipment rejigging ,provision and monitoring.
The Nyesom Wike led FCT administration as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed confronted by tackling the issue of Information and Communication Technology ICT, that will bring in tandem programs of the secondary schools , exposed the pupils and teachers , streamline it to compete favourably with both local and international programs.
Having tackled the gradual reconstruction, rehabilitation and replacement of major equipment including manpower and technical know how , he embarked on the provision of ICT equipment and facilities in all secondary schools in FCT with initial supplies of 850 computer tablets and 45 laptops distributed across 20 public senior secondary schools across six area councils of Bwari , Gwagwalada , Kuje, Abuja Municipal Council AMAC, Kwali and Abaji area councils with each school taken initial possession from the maiden distribution of Information and Communication Technology ICT facilities of 42 computer tablets for students and two laptops for ICT teachers and instructors.
According to the FCT Minister, the new policy thrust on provision of ICT facilities debuted in the 20 public schools will gradually trickle down to all the public schools across the FCT before the end of the first term of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu first term to boost not only information and communication technology ICT, not only in secondary schools, but across educational institutions in the FCT.
According to him, these resources will boost digital literacy, improve teaching methodologies, and ensure that students are equipped for the technology-driven world, it will also contribute positively to academic performance in FCT schools as training for optimal use will commence immediately .
Accordingly , these resources provided by the Minister , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike will boost digital literacy, improve teaching methodologies, and ensure that students are equipped for the technology-driven world.
The facilities if used effectively and efficiently will contribute positively to academic performance in FCT schools as training for optimal use will commence immediately, in line with the vision and mission of the Wike led FCT administration.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.