President Bola Tinubu has declared that his administration is winning the war against corruption, citing the strengthening of anti-corruption agencies and the political will to implement the ECOWAS protocol against corruption, among other measures.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He spoke at the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), themed ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Fight Against Corruption,’ held in Abuja, Nigeria, on Monday.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, stated that his government has worked diligently to ensure the independence and adequate funding of anti-corruption agencies, encouraging them to operate within the law.
He also recommended this template to other states in the West African region.
Tinubu said, “Corruption remains one of the most significant obstacles to the progress and prosperity of our nations. It undermines the fabric of our societies, erodes public trust, and impedes the equitable distribution of resources.
“As leaders, we are responsible for confronting this challenge with unwavering resolve and concerted actions.
“Over the past year, we have worked hard to strengthen all the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria by not interfering in their activities and ensuring they are adequately funded. We have also encouraged them to operate within the law. This is a template I recommend to other states within the region.”
The President also emphasized the importance of implementing the ECOWAS protocol against corruption, which aims to strengthen institutions for regional unity. He urged member states to renew their commitment to the cause and move beyond rhetoric to concrete actions.
Tinubu further stated, “I am pleased to note the progress we have made in this endeavour. The constructive collaboration between NACIWA and ECOWAS has yielded tangible results, fostering greater cooperation and information sharing among our national anti-corruption agencies.
“However, we must not rest on our laurels. The evolving nature of corruption demands that we constantly innovate and adapt our strategies.
“As we deliberate on implementing the ECOWAS protocol against corruption, I urge all member states to renew their commitment to this cause. Let us move beyond rhetoric and focus on concrete actions.”
In his keynote address, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, stressed the need for regional and global cooperation in the fight against corruption, citing the links between corruption, insecurity, and illicit financial flows. He emphasized the need for concerted action, citing the loss of $88.6 billion to illicit financial flows, which demands constant innovation and adaptation in anti-corruption strategies.
Tuggar further stressed the importance of promoting a culture of integrity and transparency in the region.
He said, “On a continental level, the menace of corruption is intimately tied to illicit financial flows, which siphon billions of dollars from Africa every year.
“The continent loses an estimated $88.6 billion annually to illicit financial flows, equivalent to around 3% of Africa’s GDP.
“These funds, often hidden in tax havens and opaque financial systems, represent stolen resources that could have been used to build schools, hospitals, roads, and other critical infrastructure.
“Illicit financial flows weaken our economy, deprive governments of essential revenue, and deepen the cycle of poverty and suffering.
“The link between illicit funds and insecurity is clear: where there is widespread corruption and financial crimes, there is instability and conflict.
“Corruption, insecurity, and illicit financial flows are interconnected, and we must address them collectively.
“Regional and global cooperation are essential in the fight against corruption, and we must work together to overcome this challenge.
“Nigeria is committed to regional cooperation in the fight against corruption, and we will continue to work with NACIWA to achieve our common goals.”
“We must promote a culture of integrity and transparency in our region. We will continue to engage with regional and international partners to combat corruption and promote regional cooperation.”
Following Tuggar’s address, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi emphasized the importance of legal cooperation and harmonization among member states to ensure the success of the anti-corruption agenda. He noted that legal cooperation is crucial in addressing the complex nature of corruption and ensuring effective prosecution of corruption cases.
According to Fagbemi, “Legal cooperation and harmonization among member states are essential to ensure the success of the anti-corruption agenda.
“We must work together to address the legal challenges of corruption and promote regional cooperation. The Attorney-General’s office is committed to supporting NACIWA in its efforts to promote regional cooperation and combat corruption.
“We will continue to work with regional and international partners to promote legal cooperation and combat corruption. Corruption is a regional and global challenge, and we must work together to overcome it.”
In his remarks, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede lauded the Federal Government’s donation of a permanent headquarters for NACIWA in Abuja, symbolizing the solidification of the regional anti-corruption framework. He noted that the gesture represents a significant milestone in the organization’s history.
His words, “A fundamental development from the Annual General Assembly is that we now have a headquarters for NACIWA in Abuja, donated by the Nigerian government.
“This represents a significant milestone in our organization’s history. This gesture not only provides us with a physical home but also symbolizes the solidification of our regional anti-corruption framework.”
“We must continue to strengthen our regional cooperation to tackle corruption effectively. The EFCC is committed to working with NACIWA to achieve our common goal of a corruption-free region. We will continue to support NACIWA in its efforts to promote regional cooperation and combat corruption.
“It is crucial to focus on strengthening our legal and institutional frameworks, enhancing cross-border cooperation in investigations and asset recovery, promoting public awareness and ethical standards, leveraging technology in the fight against corruption, and developing capacity-building programs for anti-corruption practitioners across the sub-region.
“As we proceed with our assembly, let us remain mindful of the trust placed in us by our citizens. Every policy we recommend, strategy we develop, and partnership we forge must aim for tangible improvements in the lives of the people we serve.”
On his part, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, emphasized the crucial role of digitalization and technology in dismantling corruption networks. He called for innovative strategies and effective use of technology to tackle corruption in the region.
Aliyu stated, “Digitalization and technology are crucial in dismantling corruption networks, and we must adopt innovative strategies to tackle corruption effectively.
“The ICPC is committed to using technology to prevent and detect corruption. We must work together to address the challenges of corruption and promote a culture of integrity.
“Corruption is a complex phenomenon, and we must adopt a multi-faceted approach to tackle it. We will continue to collaborate with regional and international partners to combat corruption.”
