Kano gov urges civil service directors to shun corruption, embrace integrity

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has called on state civil service directors to shun all forms of corrupt practices and instead embrace honesty, dedication, and selfless service for the development of the state.

He made this known on Saturday during a one-day capacity-building training organised by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission for Kano State Directors, held at Dawakin Kudi Local Government Area.

Governor Yusuf disclosed, “Our findings suggest that civil servants have been caught in many cases of grand corruption. As such, I will not hesitate to remind all of us that this administration will not condone nor tolerate acts of corrupt practices in governing the state.”

While speaking on his behalf at the occasion, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Abdulsalam Gwarzo, said that the ruling party in the state, the NNPP Administration, has zero tolerance for corruption. He urged all directors to be guided accordingly.

“The recent happenings in Nigeria underscore the need to rethink how things are run in this country, and as a leader of arguably the most populous state in Nigeria, even before assuming office in May 2023, our blueprint contained detailed provisions on how to checkmate corruption,” he added.

“As of today, no one shall be in doubt of how corruption undermines the progress and development of this nation.

“Kano State, in particular, has suffered and experienced one of the major instances of grand corruption, perhaps more than any other state in this region, over the past eight years.

“Our investments and state assets as the region’s centre of commerce have been hopelessly and fraudulently sold, and those who acquired them are the initiators and executors of the whole process.”

Governor Yusuf further stated, “In fact, most of those investments managed by Kano State Investment and Properties have both the proceeds and the properties gone back to the same people.”

“Our infrastructure has suffered years of neglect, leading to multifaceted problems we are now battling after assuming office.”

He then appealed to participants to make adequate use of the opportunity to enhance effective service delivery.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the aim of the workshop was to ensure that civil service directors are well-informed on how to shun corruption and all corrupt practices.

According to him, “His agency had previously checkmated a lot of misappropriation of public funds under the immediate past administration.

“I want to implore you to be committed and dedicated. It is not business as usual; anyone found wanting will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

The Zonal Commander of the EFCC and the State Commander of the ICPC lauded the foresight of the Kano State government for collaborating with the anti-graft agencies to organise capacity-building training aimed at fighting corruption.

They encouraged the participants, who were directors in the state, to be wary of disgruntled elements in society who might use money to lure them into engaging in acts capable of causing corruption.

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