The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC),yesterday, called on Nigerians to join in the fight against corruption.
The acting Chairman,? Alhaji Bako Abdullahi, made the call at the 4th National Policy Conference on Anti-corruption and Financial Crime in Abuja.
He said that the anti-graft campaign should not be left for a sector or group.
“For the fight against corruption to be successful, it should not be left for a sector or individual; it should be a collective one.’’
According to him, there is the need for Nigerians to develop self-restraint, discipline and patriotism in the fight against corruption.
Abdullahi also called for the collective condemnation of anything morally or legally reprehensible in the society “like? theft of public funds, inexplicable wealth and assets, abuse of office.
“Such collective praise of honesty or condemnation of fraud will promote a culture of good governance that would further enhance growth in all aspects of life.’’
He urged Nigerians to hold public office holders responsible and help in monitoring the process and implementation of the country’s budget.
In a presentation,? Managing Director, Ethos Management Consultants Ltd, Mr Stephen Ogboli, said that fighting corruption would enhance national economic development.
Ogboli, who spoke on the topic “Corruption and Crime: Its Implication on National Development’’, said that corruption could be reduced by strengthening national anti-crime institutions and encouraging a feedback mechanism in such institutions.
He called on the government to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, and advised that reward for honesty and institutionalisation of merit and collective ideology must be encouraged.
The Coordinator of the conference, Mr Bright Ojaga,? observed that the high level of insecurity, financial crime and corruption had affected the nation’s economy in several ways.
He said that the conference was put together to evolve new dimensions of tackling corruption in the country for economic development.
“We use this medium to request for your contributions with an open mind for us to make the general deliberation and final report of this conference to become a very successful one for the Federal Government to accept,’’ Ojaga said.
The theme of the conference is “Devising new strategy in fighting corruption and financial crime in Nigeria’’. (NAN)