The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Conference on Christopher Okigbo holds in UI

    To mark the golden anniversary of the passage of Christopher Ifekandu Okigbo (16 August 1932– September 1967), there will be a conference at the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State.

    The late Okigbo was a poet, teacher, and librarian, who died fighting for the independence of Biafra 50 years ago. He is today widely acknowledged as an outstanding postcolonial English-language African poet and one of the major modernist writers of the 20th century.

    As part of the activities to commemorate his passage, the two-day conference, which is billed to hold next month on September 20 and 21 at Trenchard Hall of his alma mater U I, has as theme: Legacy of Christopher Okigbo – 50 Years On.

    The event is organised jointly by the Christopher Okigbo Foundation (COF) and the University of Ibadan through her Departments of Classics and English.

    According to the organisers, the keynote address will be delivered by Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka under the Chairmanship of Eze Prof Chukwuemeka Ike; while HRH Obi of Onitsha Eze Achebe will be the Royal Father of the day.  “Other eminent personalities expected at the event include Ambassador Judith Sefi Attah (Okigbo’s widow); members of the Okigbo family; Christopher Okigbo’s friends; colleagues, mentees and writers within and abroad. There will also be paper presentations and a panel of discussions on the subthemes; cultural and poetry readings.

  • AFAC to become a global event

    AFAC to become a global event

    Beginning from next year, the management of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) will make African Arts and Craft Expo (AFAC), which opens on August 27th an intercontinental event.

    Director-General NCACO tunba Segun Runsewe disclosed thisat a pre-AFAC dinner held at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja on Wednesday for cultural attachés from over 20 countries.

    The outing, which served as an opportunity for the guests to savour the best of Nigeria cuisine and cultural offerings was also a platform for OtunbaRunsewe to update the guests of some far-reaching changes being made to AFAC.

    Hedisclosed that the next edition of AFAC will accommodate countries from around the world showcasing their unique cultures just like he mooted his preference for hosting the event at the early part of next year when the weather is dry and more favourable.

    Runsewe promised that there would be sweeping changes to AFAC in subsequent editions starting from next year aimed at making the flagship Expo bigger, better and truly the pride of Nigeria by way of projecting her culture and the living arts to the world.

    The dinner featured the best of several Nigerian delicacies served in buffet style, musical cultural presentations and dance from the NCAC cultural troupe.

    The highpoint of the evening was the special presentation by Runsewe of NCAC-branded pouches and pin-ups to each of the foreign attachés drawn from countries like Russia, Japan, Brazil, Austria and Cuba.

    Cultural Attachés from other countries that graced the dinner included representatives of Mali, Spain, Morocco, Uganda, China, Ethiopia, Switzerland, Kenya among others.

  • Abuja Writers’ Forum hosts Nwoye, others

    Abuja Writers’ Forum hosts Nwoye, others

    Abuja Writers’ Forum(AWF) will host the trio of May Ifeoma Nwoye, Seth Ogahi and Ladi Opaluwa on Saturday, for this month’s session, at the Aso Hall, Nanet Suites, Ekiti House,  Abuja.

    Nwoye, a professor of Business Administration and former university bursar, is a prolific writer of fiction. She made her debut with Endless Search in 1993, and by 2014 she had written an impressive collection of novels and short stories which includes:   Tides of Life (1995), Mirage in Breaking the Silence: (Anthology of Female writers in Nigeria) 1996, Edible pet 1995: Short story International, New York,  Blind Expectations (a collection of stories) 1997;  Death By Installments (1999); A Child Of Destiny (2000); Fetters And Choices (2003); Ancient Tales From Africa: The Broken Promise (2009); Oil Cemetery  (2014);  Broken Melodies (international version of Fetters and Choices) (2014).

    Her writings address social and economic injustices in the Nigerian context. She was short-listed in 2004 for the NLNG prize for Literature, and was winner of the 2014 Nigerian Author’s Chevron Prize for Environment.

    Nwoye is one of the most ardent and eloquent voices for social and economic justice. The award-winning Oil Cemetery x-rays the sufferings and deprivation in Niger-Delta and calls for non-violent conflict resolution.

    Opaluwa is a creative writer with background in journalism. Her fiction appeared recently in Electric Literature and Litro magazine, and she has a story forthcoming in Overland Journal.

    She was shortlisted for the Morland Writing Scholarship (fiction) in 2015, and is a 2017 MacDowell Fellow. She is based in Abuja where she is currently working on her debut novel.

    She will read from one of her short stories and give a talk on her recent writing residency experience at MacDowell.

    But, Ogahi plays rhythm guitar and percussion. A graduate of English Literature from Benue State University, he started his music career fully  in 2008   and by 2009 was the writer and performer of the theme song for the year’s National Youth Summit that gathered over 120000 people at Eagle Square, Abuja Nigeria ; the largest of the yearly event till date.

    In 2010 at Arise Nigeria Music and Talent Competition Season 2 where he won first prize, judges like TeeMac Iseli and Kelly Adams boldly projected that Seth has the potential to become one of the greatest musician of his time. Mrs Olando Owo, another judge made a startling remark that Seth reminds her of legends such as Bob Marley and John Lennon with deep lyrics and hypnotic performance. And he truly left the audience at the theater of Lagos Television, Agidingbi with rich lyrics and lively performance that would always remain with them.

  • Dynamics of corporate governance

    Dynamics of corporate governance

    Corporate culture in every corporate setting drives the behaviour of its players, as culture engrains the inescapable norms of fairness, transparency, accountability and ethical behaviors. Absence of these, presents subsisting rules and codes as external impositions to the organization’s stakeholders and this often result in lack-lustre adherence and or total resistance to such rules and codes. This undermines proper growth and development of the enterprise.

    The book Corporate Governance- An Emerging Economy Perspective attempts at responding to the growing dynamism of Corporate Governance.

    In its crisp, incisive, straight to the heart of the matter approach, this detailed, broad based and comprehensive discourse of the critical and all relevant subject of Corporate Governance in Nigeria is indeed an epitome of erudition, industry and lucidity. Its depth of discourse has drawn on recent codes with copious illustrations taken from different sectors but heavily from the oil and gas industry. A Nigerian manual with a rich international flare, truly domesticates corporate governance practice. Easy to read, with lots of comparative examples of legislations and codes from other climes, like the United States of America, United Kingdom, Malaysia amongst others, it is a comprehensive reference book. The author admirably examined the theory and practice of corporate governance in Nigeria and concluded that whereas there is no paucity of legislations and regulations, the phenomenon of impunity has given rise to weak compliance, enforcement and depreciated the unabating corruption in our corporate and national life. He proffered suggestions on how to stem impunity and corruption – the bane of corporate governance in our environment.

    The opening chapter of the book, by way of introduction, defines the subject in a most understandable manner to practitioners, students and laypersons. While laying out structures that support the subject matter and its relevance to Nigeria, it decisively dealt with corporate governance as opposed to corporate management as well as numerous theories that has been postulated on the subject.

    Delving into the historical evolution of the discipline in Nigeria, the author captured the role of regulatory authorities in trying to define the structure and rules of corporate governance practice in Nigeria. His comparism of practice in Nigeria with several other emerging economies leaves one to wonder how long it will take Nigeria to clean its stable to join the League of Nations with good business and ethical practices to anchor a developed economy.

    Chapters 4 – 7 has in-depth discourse on Boards of Directors – composition/ structures, duties, responsibilities, limitations and other key players, their operational processes – through committees and relationships amongst themselves and between them and other stakeholders in the governance of businesses. The attention given to legal duties/liabilities of directors, interplay of stakeholders and markets in relation to the internal workings of the board re-echoes the cardinal role directors play in Corporate Governance. Discussing risk management, audit, ethics, and leadership development as important influencing factors of corporate success, he elevated the need for transparency, accountability and integrity in the governance of businesses. The abuse of the foregoing lays bare certain missteps that account for failures of enterprises and their boards in both the public  and private sectors in Nigeria and globally.

    With brief discourse of corporate governance in other sectors- private companies, the informal sector and not for profit organizations, the author canvassed that the existence of regulations and codes which majority of business leaders in publicly quoted companies strive to comply with, provides important guide for these other sectors and any medium to large size company aspiring to survive and grow sustainably beyond its founder through generations must necessarily adhere to the regime of controls which publicly quoted companies are governed with.

    Given the global concern for good corporate governance, the author spent time to discuss the OECD and the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) principles of corporate governance which frown at all forms of corrupt practices in the business place. Willful disclosure, transparency, accountability and fair reporting are a must for the boards and Management of organizations that will sustainably grow over time. He raised the question, where are there still a litany of enterprise failures in the midst of numerous regulations and raft of audit processes?

    The author concludes with a critical look at emerging trends in the subject matter leaves one yearning for more as the author breaks for the next publication. The book is indeed a reference material for directors, practitioners and others involved in corporate governance roles. It also provides good reading for advanced management and business studies students running MBA and other post-graduate courses.

  • Ode to affectionate mother-in-law

    Ode to affectionate mother-in-law

    Greatness is achieved by any woman who has lived a life of honesty, hard-work and integrity. When foresight is added to these qualities, the woman leaves an indelible mark in her life time.

    Those where the attributes of Madam  Regina Williamson Ekanem, Nee Ekpo Etukunwa. She lived her life wisely, making a lasting impression on all those who were opportune to know and meet with her.

    Mama, if I only had five minutes that faithful Sunday morning that you passed on to higher glory, I would have had time to tell you all the things I needed to say. I never got to tell you how much you mean to me or anyone that has come close to you or that you were the best mother-in-law that any son in-law would wish to have.

    Mma Efa, as you are fondly call by your admires and legion of disciples, that faithful Saturday morning that you asked me to sit by your bedside and have my breakfast remain very remarkable because while we were having the son, mother discussion you instructively asked me to start preparing for your burial, that if you live long, it would not exceed six months. Though I pleaded with you to hang on for a few more years, I quite understood from where you were coming from, having lost your only surviving son-my gentle man friend Bassey, God bless his soul. You in your charismatic style told me emphatically like a teacher to a stubborn student that you have finished with me and you turned your face away to continue your usual morning sleep. On the 7th day of the 7th month as you said, you quietly passed on without even saying a goodbye.

    I thought through our discussion and muted it out to my wife, your lovely last child Irene, Mandu as you affectionately call her and my co-son-in-law Barrister Kingsley Essien and kept the rest to my heart.

    Mma Efa, who could dispute that you were a virtues wife and a mother, who does not know of your famed patience and enduring spirit? You were a godly mother who can not only taught us the virtues of hard work, you led example.

    A woman with great personable disposition and charm, an affable mother with robust heart and devotion to family and friends, which as you grew older, got more manifest as wine that got better with age.

    Like the immortal Leonado Da Vinci once said, “As a well spent day brings happy sleep, so life well lived brings happy death” Mma Efa you lived well and died well.

    Glory be to God. Even in the typology of death among the traditional Igbos, I will encapsulate that “Onwu Ama Eze, Ogbue ka aru ru eka” meaning that “death does not respect the King, but snatches as if directed.” Mama you died well: You surpassed the biblical age of 70 and died at the ripe old age of 85. You had goodwill, blessed with children, grand-children and great-grand-children. You died at opportune time when angels will sing, your clan, family, extended family members, Christian brethrens, political gladiators and the masses will throng your burial site to pay their last respect to an enigma in a demonstration of their love for you.

    Lado Mma Efa

  • UNILAG Staff Club honours ex-bank manager

    UNIVERSITY of Lagos (UNILAG) Senior Staff Club has held its August ‘Asun Night’ in honour of the immediate past branch manager of Ecobank, Mr. Tunji Jayeola.

    The event, spiced with music, dance and assorted food, was attended by senior dons and members of the club. There were also staff members of the bank as well as the celebrator’s family. Speaker after speaker eulogised the retired banker for adding panache to service delivery.

    Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management and Services), Prof. Ben E .A. Oghojafor,  said: ‘’Jayeola did his job dutifully and diligently. He exhibited professionalism in his interaction with stakeholders.’’

    Oghojafor, a professor of Strategic and Entrepreneurial Management, added: ‘’He’s well trained to face the challenges of post-retirement. I wish him the very best.’’

    Willi Iyiegbuniwe, a professor of Finance, described Jayeola as a fine gentleman, adding that he exhibited the hallmarks of integrity and loyalty.

    ‘’He was a good steward because a good steward serves with loyalty. He was dear to many customers. He listened and did his best possible within the limits of the law.’’

    The don, who taught Jayeola’s director, said it was because of the good work of the ex-banker that made the club to honour him, a privilege reserved for few members.

    He continued: ‘’While here, his bank sponsored the ‘Asun Night’. His director used to come here to enjoy with us. And that is good marketing. I wish him good health and success. He is tired but not retired.’’

    The varsity’s Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Iyiola Oni, said: ‘’I commend Jayeola, my brother and confidant, on his successful retirement. I wish him more blessings of God, abundant health and prosperity in retirement. He is a wonderful human being, a gentleman, kind-hearted and philanthropist in his own right.’’

    There were also praises from those outside the varsity community. Andrew Adeosun, a lawyer, said Jayeola is an embodiment of humility.

    “While he was here, his office was a Mecca of sorts.  He would go out of his way to assist any one irrespective of such person’s period of customership with the bank. That was why his exit was received with mixed feelings. People prayed that his exit from Ecobank would result in moving higher in his chosen profession, but it was not so. It was for these that the club decided to honour him.”

    Jayeola’s classmate at Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo (1971-’75 set), Sir Olasupo Adigun, a chartered accountant, former banker and Knight of Catholic Church, described his friend of over 40 years as ‘’a jolly good fellow’’ while another friend Alhaji Adisa Oluwaloju said Jayeola is nice and easy going.

    In his response, Jayeola, who was all smiles, said he did not regret his seven-year stint at the UNILAG branch. He dedicated the night to the varsity’s late vice chancellor Prof Adetokunbo Sofoluwe. During Jayeola’s tenure, he said the bank recorded some achievements, which included breaking even in the first month of opening, a feat, which made the former managing director of the bank Mr Jubril Aku to tag the branch “as the best in the Southwest’’.

     

     

     

  • Lagos blooms with artistic scenery

    Lagos blooms with artistic scenery

    From Allen Avenue Roundabout to Bank Anthony Way, Maryland intersection, Agege Motor Road, Sabo, Yaba and Ikorodu, among other locations in Lagos State, there are 19 new  sculptures depicting the people’s heritage. Today, they have, alongside the sculptures of the late Bank Anthony, Funso Williams, the three white cap chiefs and MKO Abiola, added to the aesthetics of the city. The essence is to engage  artists, beautify the landscape and define Lagos as a state with a vibrant artistic soul.  Lagos State Commissioner for Information  and Strategy Mr. Steve Ayorinde, in this  chat with Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME, speaks on the project’s benefits and its multiplier effects on the people, among others. 

    What informed the concept of the public sculpture project?

    It was  Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s idea, and it all started during the campaigns when he said he was going to use Project THEASE (Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Arts and Sports to achieve Excellence) to drive the image and economy of the state. He has always been interested in harnessing the opportunities we have in these sectors. He realised that the city could be a lot more beautiful, particularly if we have the desire to move from just being a mega city, which we have achieved by two main factors: the size of our population and size of our economy, to a smart city. In a smart city, you use technology to run most things. And to have the aesthetics that will define the city, there is no way you will want to have the aesthetics without using the talent of artists.

    A lot of people thought it was all part of Lagos @50 celebrations. It was a coincidence. The public art installation started last year. There were two ideas we were pursuing at the same time – the public sculpture project, which we have completed the first phase, and the theatre project in the five divisions of Lagos: Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry, Ikeja and Lagos Island plus one. And because Terra Kulture has done well in areas of theatre and visual art, we got the involvement of its management to be part of the two projects.

    Unfortunately, in January, we lost a great Lagos art patron, the late Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, and we used the first Lagos Art Expo from January 22 to 29 to honour his memory and  also draw the artists closer to the government. It was during that time we finalised the public sculpture project.

     How were the artists’ entries selected?

    Different concepts were submitted by the artists and the Governor chose 19 works for the locations to flag off the first phase. There was nothing defining what sculpture should go where. What we were interested in was to set the process going in the first phase. Now that we are about to start the second phase, we will take our time to match the concept with the area each work will be located. The essence is to engage the artists, beautify the state and, using the Governor’s words, define Lagos as a state with a vibrant artistic soul. There is no way you will describe Lagos without recalling some iconic sculptures around the city now.  Also, the state undertook the renovation of some public parks, such as Tinubu Square on Lagos Island, to create a new visage for the city. Soon you will see a lot more that creates new scenery. Also, we are cleaning up under the bridges, which have become slums. We are moving from Obalende to Falomo, Ikeja, Ojuelgba – regenerating the places so that they are not used as car parks or slums by urchins.

    In fact, 15 major terminals are springing up across the city. You see what has been done at Ikeja and Tafawa Balewa terminals. At Oworonshoki water front, which is being reclaimed, a major terminal will be built there to take a thousand cars as well as a jetty. We are commencing the two-year phasing out of danfos, so we need such terminals that accommodate vehicles for parking. Again, two terminals are under construction at Oshodi, while the Airport road project is also starting. So you need public sculptures that will complement all these projects. All these are functions of strategic thinking of a Governor who is well disposed to the art.

    A minimum of 14 Lagos-based artists were engaged during the first phase of the public sculpture project. The consultant called for entries from artists and studios in Lagos, and more than 25 artists submitted entries for the project. The consultant had screened the entries before the Governor and his team chose the final entries.

    Again, the cost of the project had multiplier effect on the artists, their family, studio assistants and food and material vendors that serviced the project for the four months it lasted.

    Why are the sculptures not having any literature to educate the public? Also, how will their maintenance  be worked out?

    We are working on these because we got feedback in that regard. We will do all these by including the name of artist, date of commissioning, history of the works, kind of materials used among other relevant information for tourists and researchers. So, as we go into the second phase the issue of maintenance will be part of it too. Apart from the ministry of culture looking after the works, the consultant is also going to be part of the maintenance schedule. Once in a quarter, there will be a comprehensive appraisal of the works to allow for restoration where necessary.

    What is the update on the six theatre projects being built across the state?

    All the six lands and designs are ready. Work has started at two locations. We hope to have the structural works of two of the theatres ready by December. They are designed after the Terra Kullture Arena that caters for cinema and theatre audiences of 300 people.

    Who will run the theatre houses when completed?

    A theatre management company will be appointed to handle them because it is not the job of government to run such facility. They will be run by private concerns along the vision of government. The same will happen when the Lagos Museum is ready. Operators will be out sourced. It will be located between the Old Govt Hose and Presidential Lodge.

    The Marina-Onikan axis will become a major tourist hub with facilities such as JK Randle Arcade, Muson Centre, City Mall, and Freedom Park, among others.

    They will be well lit up with walk-ways.

    There are lots of artworks inside the National Museum that need breathing space. Also, collectors across the state have works and will be ready to donate to Lagos Museum. Again, there is going to be another Newseum in Ikeja axis as well, which will be the first in Africa. In fact, it will be a replica of what Marina-Onikan axis can boast of in terms of facilities.  The Ikeja axis will boast of a Media City comprising all the radio stations, television stations, the Lagos Arena with the mounting of Tensile One, the largest man-made tent where the inauguration of Nelson Mandela was done in South Africa. We are remounting it after it was purchased seven years ago and it has the capacity to take about 30,000 people.

    The whole idea is to provide sites for tourists to visit, which is why the state is reclaiming the Oworonshoki water front for the development of a standard car park. Waterfronts all over the world are choice places, so the state is making efforts to reclaim such places for development. At the end of these projects, Ikeja axis will boast of about fifteen places of interest to visit.

  • CopyrightX marks World Photo Day

    CORA/Arterial Network and CopyrightX Nigeria Alumni (CNA), in collaboration with the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), will hold this year’s World Photography Day with the theme Photography and Copyright Issues.

    The event, which will be interactive, will open at AAF on Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday by 10:am.

    It will feature discussions on the protection of ownership of pictures with the use of digital watermarks and other safety measures that practitioners in Nigeria are yet to come to grasp with among other areas of enlightenment. There will be a question and answer segment, which would shed more lights on grey areas.

    The event will also feature photo shoots, exhibitions, short presentations and networking opportunities for old and up-coming photographers. Indeed, picture lovers will enjoy the prospect of exchanging relevant ideas on the field.

    Protem Chair of the association, Fola Martin said: “I watch with dismay how pictures are hoisted on news sites and other platforms indiscriminately without attribution to right holders. It is an infraction on intellectual property rights of the authors of such works, both on moral and financial grounds. This, among other germane issues, we intend to bring to the front burner at the commemoration of the World Foto Day in Lagos, so Nigerians can raise the bar to meet up with global best practices on creative endeavours”.

    A university don on Intellectual Property, Dr. Ifeoma Shodeinde of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) at the University of Lagos, Akoka, who is one of the Coordinators of the CNA, noted: “While we are striving towards parity with the developed world, it is high time intellectual property owners were given due privileges as guaranteed by the Copyright Acts of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria(LFN) and other treaties and conventions to which the country is signatory. Therefore, I see the occasion of the World Foto Day as an opportunity to disseminate knowledge so people are familiar with the degree to which they can exercise rights and take judicial action when such constitutional provisions are violated or threatened”.

    Founded in 2009 by Australian Photographer, Korske Ara, the World Photo Day is an international photography event, usually marked on August 19 yearly to celebrate photography.

     

     

  • Abahi is AFAC’s official hair style

    Abahi is AFAC’s official hair style

    The National Council for Arts and Culture D- irector-General, Otunba Segun Runsewe, has endorsed Abahi hair style, adorned by the Benue people, as the official hair-style for this year’s African Arts and Craft Expo (AFAC) holding from August 27 to September 17.

    Runsewe affirmed that the hairdo would make a very strong cultural statement during AFAC, and stimulate the creativity in Nigerians.

    He spoke while receiving members of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) at the headquarters of NCAC in Abuja.

    He identified ways the association and its members could partner the council to create jobs and improve the economy while empowering the youths to become entrepreneurs.

    He stressed that fashion remained a huge global industry that could enhance the socio-economic condition of the country in terms of employment generation. He advised FADAN members to work on their corporate brand identity and ensure greater cooperation, citing instances abroad where designers form partnerships to create unique attires.

    Runsewe promised to give the association a stand during AFAC, challenging them to maximise the opportunity and create an outstanding AFAC designer outfit that will epitomise the cultural heritage of Nigeria.

    Leader of the delegation and Coordinator, FADAN in Abuja, Fatima Sule, said the group visited the council to reaffirm its support for the DG and his management as well as appeal to Runsewe to assist members to secure accommodation at the Arts and Craft Village.

    She called on banks to relax their stringent conditions to ease access to soft loans by fashion designers. He advocate a friendlier visa regime to enable members secure visas to participate in international exhibitions.

  • ‘We need attitudinal change to fight corruption’

    Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon S. O. B. Agunbiade has said Nigerians need an attitudinal change in order to tackle corruption in the country.

    The lawmaker stated this at the sixth edition of the active citizen discourse of the Lagos City Junior Chambers International which held in Ikeja, Lagos recently.

    Worried by the level of corruption in Nigeria, the Federal Government had initiated a whistle-blowing policy as a means of recovering stolen government loot. And to gauge the success of the policy informed the topic of the active citizen discourse of which had the topic: ‘Fighting corruption with whistle-blowing; real or a charade?’

    But the politician who agreed that the ‘whistle-blowing policy’ is real however, was of the opinion that citizens needed to change their attitudes.

    “We do not need to rely much on whistle-blowing to chase out corruption,” he said.

    “What we need most and foremost is for us tochange attitudes. We need attitudinal change.”

    According to Agunbiade, it was disappointing that citizens only started squealing on corrupt persons because of the monetary inducement,

    “Why is the federal government realising so much money already stashed away only when announcement of rewards is attached to it?” He asked.

    “So I want to see whistle-blowing as being helped principally by the greed nature of man. People have been stealing money over the years. People don’t just get bothered about it. You will ask yourself, ‘why are these Nigerians now blowing the whistle?”

    Towing the line of Agunbiade, the Manager, Intelligence, Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police, CSP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, also iterated the need for a change in attitude.

    He said: “Traditionally, we celebrate thieves just because they have the money. Even among our civil societies, they’ve been bought over. How do we wake up our civil societies?”

    Nwonyi reiterated that ills in the society could have been eliminated or reduced “if the systems were not bad” and threw the gauntlet back to the citizens in the audience as he asked; “What are you doing in fighting corruption?”

    The policeman added: “Whistle-blowing is a good instrument to move ahead in the war against corruption.”

    According the President, JCI Lagos City,LaoluOwolabi, the event is an active citizen discourse aimed at involving citizens in governance.

    “Every society is run by a parliament of people who sit down and make laws but not every one of us can be in the parliament.

    “But as citizens, we can discuss what affects us. This year, we felt that corruption is in the front-burner,” Owolabi said.

    The active citizen discourse is a regular intervention by JCI Lagos City to invite relevant stakeholders to discuss on topical issues.