FG Urged To Ensure Independence Of Anti-corruption Agencies

A civil society organisation, Accountability Lab, has urged the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration to take decisive steps in securing the independence of anti-corruption agencies.

This according to the CSO will help to combat corruption in the country.

Speaking during an Integrity Innovation Lab workshop held in Abuja yesterday, the country director of Accountability Lab, Friday Odeh, who made the appeal acknowledged the slow progress in the anti-corruption fight under the new government.

He emphasised the crucial importance for the Tinubu administration to prioritize the establishment of accountable institutions and ensure that anti-corruption agencies operate independently.

Odeh stated, “We have observed the clash between politics and governance, and it is imperative to establish a clear distinction between the two, with government officials serving the nation’s interest rather than their personal interests.”

On the naming and shaming of corrupt public officers, Odeh mentioned that accountability lab believes in positive reinforcement and messages, saying research has proven that negative messages do not reduce corruption but rather reinforce corruption and negative behaviour.

He said positive messages like naming and faming integrity icons like what is being done at the accountability lab will further increase positive behaviour.

He stated that the workshop is channeled at supporting their integrity icons to see how they can partner with anti-corruption agencies like the  ICPC, Servicom, Bureau of Public Service reforms to develop innovative ideas to build integrity and accountability in public service, MDAs and see how their ideas can impact their network within their office spaces.

Odeh said they are trying to build their network, develop their capacity and see how they can influence people in their workplaces.

He mentioned that although it may be hard to resist corruption in the present day Nigeria but that does not mean Nigerians should engage in corrupt practices saying in the best interest of everyone it is important for people to look beyond the benefit of corruption to how we want to develop our society and make people do the right thing.

The ICPC deputy director of education Mr John Odey stated that being a member of the anti-corruption coalition registered with the ICPC, the agency identifies with all the members in their endeavour to fight corruption in the country.

He stressed that Nigeria has come to a point of naming and shaming corrupt public officers and also rewarding those who stand for what is right.