The African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council of the African Union, (AU-ECOSOCC) has unfolded plans to honour the Acting Chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu as a special African anti-corruption crusader.
This is coming after President Muhammadu Buhari was appointed by the African Union to lead Africa anti-corruption campaign of the AU, 2018, theme: “Winning the Fight Against Corruption; A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation”.
While addressing a press conference held in Abuja at the weekend, the AU Nigerian representative, Mr Tunde Asaolu, explained that the award was aimed at encouraging the current administration’s drive to drastically reduce corruption in the country.
According to him, the EFCC under the current leadership has recorded more prosecutions, hence, the need to recognise such a feat.
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He said the move is also part of the Union’s mandate as stipulated in Article 11 Section 4 and 7 which allows it to “contribute to the promotion of popularisation, popular participation, sharing of best practices and expertise, and to the realisation of the vision and objectives of the Union; and foster and consolidate partnership between the Union and CSOs through effective public enlightenment, mobilisation and feedback on the activities of the Union”.
“…..as part of AU-ECOSOCC’s efforts to support President Muhammadu Buhari, and his counterparts across Africa to achieve the objective of raiding the continent of corruption he is appointed to fight. ECOSOCC being a people-oriented, people-centred and people-driven Union is committed based on its mandate.”
He stressed that for the country to achieve Agenda 2063 of the Union, corruption must first be dealt with.
“Based on the mandate of ECOSOCC to mobilise Africa CSOs, NGOs and other civil right organisations across Africa to key into the fight because if we don’t kill corruption within the continent, corruption will kill the continent, that is why no effort is too small, the fight against corruption must be a collective responsibility. However, in my capacity as a member of the 3rd Permanent General Assembly of the AU-ECOSOCC,” he added.
To this end, he urged all African governments and other stakeholders to join in popularising and raising awareness through a multi-stakeholder dialogue to discuss the issues and lasting solution to corruption in Africa.
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