The Chairman of the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-corruption Commission (SPFACC), Justice Williams Akin Akintoroye (Rtd), has called for collaboration among anti-corruption agencies to address corruption in the country.
Akintoroye made this statement on Tuesday during a capacity-building workshop organized for local government officials and other stakeholders in Akure, the Ondo State capital. He emphasized that such collaboration is necessary to strengthen existing frameworks and develop new strategies in the fight against corruption.
He noted that corruption has become a pervasive issue in society, affecting every stratum. He said, “Unless and until we confront corruption head-on, society will continue to suffer due to its consequences of underdevelopment.”
“Corruption has significantly contributed to our underdevelopment in Nigeria. Hard-earned resources that should have been used to advance social, health, education, and infrastructure development end up in private pockets due to corrupt practices.”
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“People suffer the consequences, such as a failing education system, hospitals without drugs, insecurity, and bad roads. Various studies continue to show a correlation between corruption and severe underdevelopment in our societies.”
“Government at every level, the citizenry, civil society, public and private sectors, and multilateral agencies need a coordinated effort to mitigate the menace of corruption, so society can begin to experience true development free from corrupt practices.”
He maintained that establishing synergy among agencies will aid the fight against corruption and stated, “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our sister agencies: EFCC, ICPC, and the Code of Conduct Bureau.”
“There is no need for competition or a rat race between us. Instead, our work should be complementary.”
The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Commission is a statutory commission with a clear and unambiguous mandate.
Akin Akintoroye said the workshop was designed to address issues related to corruption as it affects the local government system from the perspective of the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime, and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while declaring the workshop open, emphasized that the workshop aimed to instill the virtues of good governance, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for corrupt practices.
Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, said the workshop was expected to orient and enlighten local government officials and other stakeholders on anti-corruption.
He stated that this would help local governments across the state continue to embrace the virtues of accountability, probity, transparency, and good governance.
“I am convinced that this approach is unique among states across Nigeria. Recently, the local government has undergone serious scrutiny.”
“We are pleased to support this program as a means of enhancing our understanding of accountability, transparency, probity, and zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt practices.”
“If local governments can institutionalize the practice of doing the right thing, there will be no cause for concern in the future.”
“I firmly believe that this workshop will focus on uncovering the dynamics of corruption in local governments and provide the tools needed to address emerging issues and improve accountable governance at the local government level in Ondo State.”
The technical sessions were led by Dr. Olukayode Daniel Adekeye, a Fellow of the Anti-Corruption Practitioners Network (ACPN); Barrister Cyril Akinrinsola, a retired Permanent Secretary/Solicitor-General; Prof. Adeyeye Adewole, a Certified Risk Assessor; and Mrs. Funmi Osundolire, a board member of the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime & Anti-Corruption Commission.