ICPC moves to intensify war against corruption in Igboland

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission ( ICPC ) has said it has developed strategies for proactive prevention and strict enforcement for sustainability against corruption in Igbo land and other parts of the country, Muhammed Hasan the Southeast Head of the anti-graft agency who represented the ICPC Chairman, Ekpo, at this year’s celebration of the Commission, noted that major input in the areas of system study and review, corruption risk assessment and asset recovery respectively was yielding positive results.

According to him, “the recent interim seizures of immovable and movable assets by ICPC, including 105 vehicles and millions of naira under the defunct federal government’s Sure-P initiative and about 40 vehicles from retired Directors of one of our SDGs- related federal ministries is our immediate and sustainable strategies of divesting and denying beneficiaries the proceeds of corruption practices”

The chairman however, assured that ICPC will continue to actively develop and enforce relevant anti- corruption policies, procedures, templates, manuals, and formats to strengthened institutions, particularly those in the health, education, water and sanitation sectors, for sustainable growth and transparency.

Delivering a paper at the event, former Minister of National planning,and incumbent Director,Center for Entrepreneurial studies, university of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) Professor Osita Ogbu, identified lack of patriotism, integration and love for country, as the key factor inhibiting the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

This year’s celebration which has as its theme: “United We Stand, For Development Peace and security” was attended by the Ebonyi state Commissioner for finance, Mr. Denis Udeh, Commissioner for justice and Attorney General of the state, the academia, as well as other stakeholders in the war against corruption in the Southeast geo-political zone.

Also speaking, the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Ban Ki Moon challenged Nigeria and other other countries to intensify their efforts in fighting corruption, adding that the 2030 agenda for sustainable development is the world’s new manifestos for transforming the world for a better future.

“Corruption wrecks economic and social development and increase poverty. It harms everyone but the poor and vulnerable suffer  most,” he added.