Corruption Under Fire ICPC And NUJ Unite To Expose Dirty Deals In Local Governments

Corruption Under Fire ICPC And NUJ Unite To Expose Dirty Deals In Local Governments

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, stated yesterday that the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments has opened new avenues for the commission…….CONTINUE READING 

to collaborate with the media in fostering transparency and accountability at the grassroots level.

He made this statement during a one-day workshop organized by the ICPC, in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the MacArthur Foundation. The workshop, themed “The Power of the Pen in the Fight Against Corruption,” was held at Reiz Continental Hotel in Abuja.

Dr. Aliyu emphasized that the ICPC is advancing initiatives like the local government integrity initiative and promoting literary activism through various forms of media, including jingles and short thematic videos, to encourage behavioral change.

After 24 years of fighting corruption, he reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to working closely with key stakeholders, particularly the media, in the fight against corruption. He said, “The media is a crucial partner in this endeavor. In line with critical studies on corruption in Nigeria, the ICPC has aligned its 2024-2028 Strategic Action Plan with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS).”

The ICPC chairman also highlighted the importance of communication in driving the action plan, noting that the commission has developed a robust communication strategy and updated its communication policy to reflect current realities in the country.

At the workshop, attended by 67 media professionals and other stakeholders, keynote speaker Dr. Ike Neliaku discussed the pervasive nature of corruption in Nigeria. He lamented the significant impact corruption has had on the nation, from abuse of power to bribery, embezzlement, and fraud. He revealed that Nigeria lost $18 billion to corruption between 2013 and 2023, adding, “Corruption is so entrenched that the ‘pen’ has been heavily threatened and blunted over time.”

Dr. Neliaku also pointed out corruption in politics, such as vote-buying and election rigging, and criticized the entertainment industry for promoting content that glorifies corruption.

In his remarks, NUJ President Mr. Christopher Isiguzo called corruption one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s development. He emphasized the power of journalists in shining a light on injustice and advocating for transparency and accountability, which are essential to any functioning democracy.

Isiguzo urged journalists to embrace investigative reporting as a critical tool in exposing corruption and holding those in power accountable.