Center for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with Code of Conduct Bureau (CBC) with support from Rule Of Law And Anti-Corruption (ROLAC 2) on Wednesday held a capacity building workshop on online asset declaration system.
The workshop which held at Cihcotel Hotel Classique, No 1/2 Emma Nnaemeka Street by Arthur Eze Avenue, Awka, Anambra State saw top government functionaries, media practitioners, and other stakeholders attending.
In a lecture delivered by the Chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CBC) Dr Abdullahi Bello Usman with the theme, “Improving the effectiveness of anti-coruption practices and reforms capacity building workshop on online asset declaration system” expressed gratitude to CSJ for their invaluable collaborations.
He said that the CSJ partnership underscores a shared vision of Nigeria, where transparency, accountability and rule of law are not mere ideas but living principles guiding our nation’s progress.
Dr Usman noted that CCB, as a corner of Nigeria’s integrity framework, recognizes that declaration of Assets is not just a statutory obligation but a moral imperative, a bedrock of ethical governance.
“We cannot ignore the reality of our time. Manual systems are susceptible to inefficiently, opacity and abuse. This is why the transition to digital Assets Declaration Platform is not just an upgrade but a revolution, by leveraging technology we eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, reduce human interference and create an acceptable trail that deters malfeasance.
“This system will empower public officials to declare Assets seamlessly while enabling real-time monitoring by shareholders.The Imperative of Collaboration: This workshop, however, is not merely about deploying tools. It is about building capacity, fostering ownership and nurturing collaboration.
“Within these two days, we will:Demystify the technical and operational aspects of the on-line platforms;Address challenges- cyber security, accessibility and compliance – that may arise; Strengthen partnerships between institutions, civil societies and citizens to ensure collective vigilance.To our participant, your feedback is vital. The system must be user friendly, inclusive and resilient. Your insights will shape its success.A call to Action: Let me remind us all: Anti-corruption reforms are not sole responsibility of government agencies. They demand a societal movement,” he asserted.
Koyonda Edward, Head of Department (Education Department) Code of Conduct Bureau(CCB) at the workshop highlighted the constitutional powers of the bureau on public officers especially in the area of receiving complaints on breach.
He also revealed the do’s and dont’s of a public officer noting that carrier officers can have multiple genuine sources of income.
Edward said that the Code help to regulate the conduct of public officers from the president to the lowest officer in the public service.
“The code is an ethical that allows the public officers remain faithful to their offices. The code is the yardstick with which the public officers measures himself
“President, Vice President, Governors, Deputies, Ministers, Commissioners, members of the National Assembly, States House of Assemblies, and any category as the national assembly may prescribed are controlled by the code,” he noted.
He said as a matter of fact that the main purpose of the activities of the Bureau is to encourage accountability, transparency and honesty in the conduct of national business by the duty bearers noting that the beginning of sin in Nigeria is the conflict of interest with the that of duties.
Edward threw more light on the restrictions placed on specified public officers by the constitution.
Eze Onyekpere, Legal Practitioner and Lead Director of CSJ and John Sheshi
Head ICT, Code of Conduct Bureau(CCB) also presented papers at the workshop.
The CSJ Cluster Coordinator for Anambra State, Madam Ugochi Ehiahuruike in an interactive session with journalists at the end of the workshop said that the occasion availed the participants opportunities to learn the imperatives of online asset declaration system.