The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Adamu Aliyu, on Thursday asserted that the current economic challenges facing Nigeria are caused by corruption.
Aliyu made the assertion while receiving members of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) who were on a courtesy visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
A news release, signed by ICPC spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, made available to Tribune Online informed that the chairman, who was represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, said that Nigeria was facing the realities of corruption, which had drastically affected the development of the economy.
Aliyu, however, encouraged Nigerians to be patient while ensuring that they contribute their quota to the country’s ongoing reform.
Ogugua stated that while speaking on ICPC’s enlightenment mandate, the chairman said it was important for Nigerians to adhere to policies to curb the challenges being faced in the execution of constituency and executive projects.
He stressed the importance of placing significance on enlightening the public on and against corruption by institutions like the CJID and individuals, saying that one of the commission’s core mandates is public enlightenment.
Furthermore, he advised the CJID to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Act to get information from government agencies, adding that when agencies refuse to disclose the information they requested, CJID could sue them in court.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the team and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CJID, Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, informed that the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the organisation and the ICPC.
According to him, it was also meant to identify areas to assist the Commission in the tracking of constituency and executive projects.
Olorunyomi then emphasised the need for a lot more direct engagement with citizens as Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) could not win the fight against corruption alone.
He added that it was important to enlighten citizens more about CEPTI as the organisation could also aid the tracking exercise if armed with adequate knowledge.
He said CJID had faced some challenges in receiving data from some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and expressed the hope that ICPC would be able to assist in that regard.
The CJID boss said that the centre was willing to bring an interface of media engagement to ICPC’s work and in addition, lend and share global database resources that would help the Commission’s investigation activities.
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