Group to mobilise 20 million Nigerians to fight against corruption

THE Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA), with support from the Macarthur Foundation, in its drive to make Nigeria corruption-free has launched a project to join forces with 20 million Nigerians to fight corruption.

At a press briefing, on Tuesday, following a 2-day inaugural workshop for radio journalists from all states of the federation that have been recruited to assist the project’s goals, Chairman of YIAGA, Dr Hussaini Abdu, noted that the group was joining force the Federal Government as Nigeria is experiencing an unprecedented resurgence in the fight against corruption under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

‘Bounce Corruption’ is designed to mobilize citizens especially youth to lead the war against corruption and impunity as well as hold public institutions and officials accountable at the local and national level.

He noted that to deal with corruption, there was the need for masses, thus the objective of raising 20 million ambassadors.

“YIAGA recognises that the fight against corruption cannot succeed without the support, partnership and collaboration of citizens. No anti-corruption program or campaign succeeds without citizen’s engagement. It is therefore important for citizens who are the main victims of corruption to rise against corruption,” the group noted.

Thus the project seeks to build resistance against corruption by exposing corrupt practices and demanding prosecution of indicted suspects.

Executive Director of YIAGO, Samson Itodo, noted that through the ‘Bounce Corruption’ project, the group would establish resource platforms that would promote anti-corruption efforts by other stakeholders fighting against corruption and promoting public accountability.

He added that the initiative would aspire to inculcate the values of integrity, patriotism, transparency and accountability in citizens, as it facilitates collaboration and networking with different stakeholders involved in the campaign against corruption and impunity in Nigeria.

Bounce Corruption project is designed as a citizen’s movement to frame corruption as a socio-economic and political problem demanding urgent wide public support, unveil and expose corruption at local, state and National level, as well as empower citizens to fight corruption and impunity.