Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Adamu Aliyu has said the current economic challenges faced by the nation is as a result of corruption.
The ICPC chairman said this during a courtesy visit by members of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), to the commission’s headquarters, yesterday.
The spokesperson of the agency, Azuka Ogugua said Dr Aliyu, who was represented by the secretary to the commission, Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, said that Nigeria was facing the realities of corruption, which had drastically affected the development of the economy.
He, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to be patient while ensuring that they contribute their quota to the ongoing reform of the nation.
Speaking on the enlightenment mandate of the commission, the chairman said it was important for Nigerians to adhere to policies to curb the challenges being faced in the execution of constituency and executive projects.
He stressed the importance of enlightening the public on issues of corruption by institutions like the CJID and individuals, saying that one of the core mandates of the commission is public enlightenment.
He also advised the CJID to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act to get information from government agencies, adding that when agencies refuse to disclose the information they requested, CJID could sue them in court.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the team and CEO of CJID, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, stated that the visit was aimed at strengthening the already existing relationship between the organisation and the ICPC, as well as to identify areas to assist the commission in the tracking of the constituency and executive projects.
He emphasised the need for a lot more direct engagement with citizens as Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs), cannot win the fight against corruption alone and that it was important to enlighten citizens more about CEPTI as the organisation could also aid the tracking exercise if armed with adequate knowledge.
