Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, said yesterday that the recent Supreme Court decision granting financial autonomy to local governments has presented new opportunities for the commission to partner with the media in promoting transparency and accountability at the grassroots level.
He spoke at a one-day workshop organized by the ICPC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ and MacArthur Foundation, themed ’Power of the Pen in the Fight Against Corruption,’ held at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja.
The ICPC boss said: “We are also advancing initiatives, such as the local government integrity initiative and advocating literary activism to inspire behavioural change through literature, jingles, and thematic short videos.”
After 24 years of dedicated work in anti-corruption, he said the commission was more committed than ever to effective collaboration with all critical stakeholders in the fight against corruption.
He said: “The media is a significant partner in this endeavour. To this end, and informed by critical empirical studies on corruption in Nigeria, ICPC has aligned its Strategic Action Plan for 2024-2028 with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, NACS.
“Recognizing the importance of communication in driving our action plan, we have developed a robust Communication Strategy and reviewed our four-year-old Communication Policy to ensure they are aligned with present national realities.’’
At the program, which had about 67 media practitioners and other stakeholders in attendance, the keynote speaker, Dr. Ike Neliaku, spoke extensively on ways corruption has compromised almost all facets of life in the country.
He lamented that the Nigerian society was deeply entrenched in corruption, ranging from misuse of power for personal gains to bribery, embezzlement and fraud.
Neliaku disclosed that the country had lost $18 billion between 2013 and 2023, to corruption, saying
“Corruption is so widespread that the ‘pen has been badly and heavily threatened progressively and seems to have become blunt.’’
He also decried corruption in the political space, noting that it manifested in vote-buying and rigging during elections.
He added that the entertainment industry was not left out, “as they push movies that promote corruption to society.”
Earlier in his remarks, President of the NUJ, Mr. Christopher Isiguzo, said: “Corruption remains one of the greatest impediments to Nigeria’s progress. It undermines development, widens inequality, and perpetuates a cycle of poverty and instability.
‘’As journalists, we hold the power to shine a light on these injustices, to expose the truth, and to advocate for the transparency and accountability that are the bedrock of any functioning democracy.”
On the critical role of journalists in the fight against corruption, Isiguzo noted: “The power of the pen is undeniable: it can expose corruption, challenge those in power, and empower citizens to demand accountability.”
Tasking journalists on the need to expose corruption, Isiguzo, underscored the importance of investigative journalism, saying it was one of the most important tools in exposing corruption.
Credit: Vanguard News Nigeria