The Nation Newspaper

Tag: corruption

  • ‘Non-payment of pension’ll mar fight against corruption’

    ‘Non-payment of pension’ll mar fight against corruption’

    THE success of the anti-corruption war will require prompt payment of pension benefits to retired workers, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has said.

    He spoke during a meeting of the House Committee on corruption probe.

    The Speaker said the non-payment of pension would encourage many public servants who were still in service to steal public funds to enable them settle themselves for life.

    He pointed out that if the government was fighting corruption, then it should address issues that have capacity of scuttling the fight against corruption.

    “The issue of non-payment of pension is a serious issue. Payment of pension as at when due will boost the confidence of workers especially the public servants. We must ensure that when they retire, they will earn income after retirement.

    “As a matter of fact, no one who has sacrificed the better part of his age to serve this country, should suffer the lot of pensioners in Nigeria today.

    “If we are fighting corruption, which is one of the key thing that our government is devoted to, we must address those issues that have capacity of scuttling the fight against corruption and this is one of such issues. This is because any employee in the system who is seeing a senior citizen living a life of penury on account that his pension have not been paid, will decide to help him or herself by stealing government fund,” he added.

  • Don wants judiciary’s special attention on anti-corruption fight

    A don, Dr Ferdinand Ottoh, has urged the judiciary to give special attention to the anti-corruption fight of the Federal Government by accelerating hearing of corruption-related cases.

    Ottoh, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

    “Nothing meaningful will be achieved in the current anti-corruption fight without the unalloyed support of the judiciary.

    “If it requires reviewing its jurisprudence in matters of corruption cases, let it be so,’’ he said.

    Ottoh said that corruption in public offices was a major setback to Nigeria’s development, warning that the country would not be able to record any meaningful progress until eradication of the menace.

    “We can only talk of the Nigerian state when it has the capacity to provide welfare for the people and meet its obligations as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

    “The corruption in the country before the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration rendered Nigeria incapable of protecting the lives and property and provide education and other necessities to its citizens.

    “A situation in which individuals have pillaged the resources of the country, thereby making Nigeria unable to meet the obligations of a state will further her dependency and crises.

    “The truth is that the Buhari administration’s stance on anti-corruption is a redemption course that this nation needs for sustenance,’’ he said.

  • CAN, clerics preach against corruption, recession

    CAN, clerics preach against corruption, recession

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Rev. Samson Ayokunle has assured Nigerians that the power of resurrection will end the menace of corruption and recession.

    This came as the Methodist Church Nigeria Prelate Dr. Kanu Uche and Bishop of Trinity Church Council, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rt Revd. Oladapo Babalola urged political leaders to desist from corruption.

    Ayokunle, who gave the assurance yesterday in his Easter message, which was signed by his Special Assistant (Media & Communications), Adebayo Oladeji in Abuja, prayed to God to end economic hardship the way He rolled away the stone from the tomb of Jesus Christ.

    The statement reads: “I wish all Nigerians a happy Easter in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. It is a season of hope, joy and restoration.

    “The Lord that rolled away the stone from the mouth of the tomb to put the enemy to shame will roll away all causes of economic hardship from our nation in the name of Jesus.

    “Corruption will be a thing of the past. As earthquake came to help in removing all hindrances to the resurrection of Christ for a glorious dawn to emerge, the God of heaven will divinely intervene to bail our nation out of economic downturn in the name of Jesus.”

    Ayokunle, who noted the agony of the disciples of Jesus Christ over his death and how their sadness turned into joy on the resurrection morning, was optimistic that the future of the country would be characterised by abundance, joy and celebrations.

    He said: “As the resurrection morning brought a day of joy and laughter back to the disciples, the future years shall be full of abundance in Nigeria and bring back our joy and celebration in our streets in the name of Jesus.

    “May our challenges of today become our ladders to our testimonies tomorrow in the name of Jesus. It is well with you, our leaders at all levels of government and our nation in the name of Jesus Christ.”

    Ayokunle, who is also the President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, urged the citizenry not to cease praying for the country and those who are at the helm of affairs as they confront the challenges facing the populace.

    Dr. Uche spoke yesterday at the Methodist Church of the Trinity, Tinubu Square, Lagos, during an Easter Sunday service to celebrate the remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    According to him, there should be no one-sidedness in the fight against corruption.

    “We should love ourselves as a nation and know that we are all one and equal before God. We should not promote corruption and evil; we should ensure that justice for one is justice for all.”

  • How to fight corruption, by Meduoye

    Corruption will continue to thwart developmental agenda until it is stopped at all costs, the general overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev Felix Meduoye, has stated.

    He spoke last week at the Yaba headquarters of the church, ahead of the International Conference for Ministers and Leaders (ICML), which commences tomorrow.

    The conference with the theme “The mind of Christ” holds at the Foursquare Camp, Kilometre 75 Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ajebo, Ogun State.

    To tackle corruption, Meduoye said there must be consistent reorientation of the public mindset to national governance and resource management.

    He said the church and government must also collaborate to restore the lost moral values of the society.

    He also told Christians not to shy away from politics as well as other decision-making arena of governance.

    “Politics in the real sense of it is the policy of taking care of the populace. But our politics has not been that way.

    “It has been the policy of taking care of you. But if it’s what it is to be, it is something that a Christian should go into.

    “There is nothing wrong in our people going into politics. If you want to go into politics, you must know God is actually calling you into that place.”

  • Obasanjo and corruption, circa 1999

    Obasanjo and corruption, circa 1999

    LAST Saturday, at a church in Abeokuta, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo made the astonishing claim that corruption  had grown worse than what it was in 1999. Though he expatiated by suggesting that corruption had become a ramifying disease not limited to the secular world but also encompassing the non-secular world, he was imprecise in saying whether the comparison he so casually made and the timeline that supported it involved the Muhammadu Buhari presidency.

    While it is true that Chief Obasanjo instituted controls to make corruption uninviting, both he and his government nevertheless contributed immensely to diffusing the goals of the anti-corruption war. Under the Buhari presidency, that goal of fighting graft has been kept more pristinely clear than it was under Chief Obasanjo. Now, there are no longer stories of the executive arm proposing to or attempting to bribe the legislature, and yes, the current government has also been as resolute as Chief Obasanjo was in prosecuting graft cases.

    Under Chief Obasanjo and his successors, including the Buhari presidency, corruption has admittedly worsened in non-governmental circles, whether in schools, as the former president said, or even in religious organisations where worldly standards and vices have become deeply integrated into churches and mosques. What explains that pervasiveness is not so much what policies the government has put in place or what anti-graft campaigns have been embarked upon. The problem, whether under Chief Obasanjo or under his successors, including President Buhari, is that the government has tackled graft symptomatically.

    With widespread poverty, unrealistic wages, and a debilitating rent-seeking economy, it is inconceivable that the government can put a lid on corruption. Chief Obasanjo attacked the symptoms of corruption, even then half-heartedly. And President Buhari, though more passionate and more disciplined, is also tackling corruption symptomatically. Both do not and cannot fare well. If corruption is now more widespread as Chief Obasanjo says, it is not because the Buhari presidency is less enterprising or even tolerant of corruption; it is because the socio-economic environment is much worse than it was under Chief Obasanjo.

    Rather than indulge in his usual narcissistic exultation, much of it sadly misdirected, Chief Obasanjo should contribute more meaningfully to the discourse on why corruption has seemed to defy every anodyne.

  • SSANU demands sack of four V-Cs for ‘corruption’

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) in Abuja called for the sack of four vice chancellors of universities over alleged corruption levelled against them.

    Mr. Samson Ugwoke, SSANU national president, made the call when the union picketed the University of Abuja.

    He listed the alleged corrupt vice chancellors as those of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB); Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA); University of Abuja (UniAbuja) and Plateau State University (PLSU).

    “Any vice chancellor accused of corruption and arraigned before a competent court must be directed to step aside in line with Public Service Rule.

    “If judges accused of corruption were directed to step aside pending the determination of criminal charges preffered against them, why not vice chancellors?

    “Vice Chancellors have no immunity and the government must not create immunity where it does not exist.

    “The Federal Government must ensure the protection of whistle blowers at the federal universities.

    “We also demand the reversal of all punitive actions, such as demotions, denial of annual increments and promotion, wicked posting, among others, against our members.

    “We also demand that the Chairman and Secretary of SSANU, University of Abuja chapter, Mr Jude Nwabueze and Mr Nurudeen Yusuf be recalled back to work with immediate effect.

    “We demand that high-powered Visitation Panel be set up by the Federal Government for all the federal universities to investigate the administration of finances, employment and other aspects of governance of the university system,” he said.

    Ugwoke  called on the Federal Government to set up a special committee to investigate the spate of impunity in the university system and the victimisation of SSANU leaders in the recent times.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that SSANU had on several occasions written to the minister of Education over alleged mismanagement, fraud, employment spree and slash in their salaries.

    Others are wrongful termination of employment without salaries, harassment, victimisation and persecution by the vice chancellors over whistle blowing of corruption, among others.

    “We are protesting against corruption in the Nigerian universities, this is SSANU’s contribution to ensure clean university system.

    “Our overriding interest lies in the sanctity of the university system and also to sanitise it for the future generations, “he added.

    The union also staged a protest in front of the Federal Ministry of Education to submit their letter of demand to the Minister of Education, Mallal Adamu Adamu.

    Mr Bello Umar, director, Human Resources, Federal Ministry of Education, while receiving the letter on behalf of the minister, said their grievances would be given due consideration.

    “Since the inception of this administration, it has been zero tolerance for corruption and I want to solicit your support to be patient, while I assure you that we will definitely get to the roots of these issues,” he said.

    NAN reports the protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions, such as; “Federal Government, our universities need urgent intervention now”, `Vice Chancellors, respect our institution, obey court order”.

    Others are,”Arraign Vice-Chancellors for corruption”, “Impunity must end”, among others.

    Meanwhile, the Student Union Government (SUG) blocked the entrance of the school with their bus, preventing the protesters from gaining entrance.

  • SSANU demands sack of four V-Cs for ‘corruption’

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) on Wednesday in Abuja called for the sack of four Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities over alleged corruption leveled against them.

    Mr Samson Ugwoke, SSANU National President, made the call when the union picketed the University of Abuja.

    Ugwoke listed the alleged corrupt vice-chancellors as those of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, (FUNAAB); Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA); University of Abuja (UniAbuja), and Plateau State University (PLSU).

    “Any Vice-Chancellor that has been alleged of corruption and arraigned before a competent court must be directed to step aside in line with Public Service Rule.

    “If judges alleged of were directed to step aside pending the determination of criminal charges proffered against them, why not Vice-Chancellors?

    “Vice-Chancellors have no immunity and Government must not create immunity where it does not exist.

    “The Federal Government must ensure the protection of whistle blowers at the Federal Universities.

    “We also demand the reversal of all punitive actions like, demotions, denial of annual increments and promotion, wicked posting, among others, against our members.

    “We also demand that the Chairman and Secretary of SSANU, University of Abuja chapter, Mr Jude Nwabueze, and Mr Nurudeen Yusuf be recalled back to work with immediate effect.

    “We demand that high-powered Visitation Panel be set up by the Federal Government for all the Federal universities to investigate the administration of finances, employment and other aspects of governance of the university system,” he said.

    Ugwoke also called on the Federal Government to set up a special committee to investigate the spate of impunity in the university system and the victimisation of SSANU leaders in the recent times.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that SSANU had on several occasions written to the Minister of Education over alleged mismanagement, fraud, employment spree and slash in their salaries.

    Others are wrongful termination of employment without salaries, harassment, victimisation and persecution by the Vice-Chancellors over whistle blowing of corruption, among others.

    “We are protesting against corruption in the Nigerian universities, this is SSANU contribution to ensure clean university system.

    “Our overriding interest lies in the sanctity of the university system and also to sanitise it for the future generations, “he added.

    The union also staged a protest in front of the Federal Ministry of Education to submit their letter of demand to the Minister of Education, Mallal Adamu Adamu.

    Mr Bello Umar, Director, Human Resources, Federal Ministry of Education, while receiving the letter on behalf of the minister said that their grievances would be given due consideration.

    “Since the inception of this administration, it has been zero tolerance to corruption and i want to solicit your support to be patience, while I assure you that we will definitely get to the roots of these issues,” he said.

    NAN reports that the protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions such as; “Federal Government, our universities need urgent intervention now”, `Vice-Chancellors, respect our institution, obey court order”.

    Others are,”Arraign Vice-Chancellors for corruption”, “Impunity must end”, among others.

    Meanwhile, the Student Union Government (SUG) blocked the entrance of the school with their bus preventing the protesters from gaining entrance. (NAN)

  • ICPC, EFCC can’t fight corruption alone, says Nta

    ICPC, EFCC can’t fight corruption alone, says Nta

    Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) Chairman Ekpo Nta at the weekend said anti-graft agencies cannot curb corruption alone.
    Nta, who solicited the support of the public, stressed that the Federal Government can only succeed in its war against corruption, if the masses support it.
    The ICPC chairman spoke at the convocation ceremony of Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State.
    He hailed the whistleblowing idea introduced by the Federal Government, stressing that the policy has yielded results.
    According to him, the commission now receives several petitions relating to corrupt practices on a daily basis from different quarters through the whistle-blowing system.
    Nta, who delivered the convocation lecture, entitled: “Ethical Deficit, Corruption and Crisis of National Identity: Integrity of termites”, said the anti-graft agencies needed the support of ordinary Nigerians to fight corruption.
    The ICPC chairman reiterated that “the whistle-blowing system has tremendously increased the number of petitions received by the commission unlike before when people were not encouraged to give out information to the commission”.
    He said: “Anti-graft agencies cannot curb corruption. The victims of corruption are the ones who will drive the curbing of corruption because they are the ones paying for it.
    “When we were operating in a system where we are not getting whistle-blowing tips from citizens, if you are lucky in a month, you will get anonymous petitions may be five to 10.”
    He, however, warned people against malicious petitions to the commission in the name of whistle-blowing.
    The university’s Pro-Chancellor, Bode Ayorinde, said the management of the institution would set up an ICPC club on the campus to further entrench discipline.
    The lawmaker, representing Ose/Owo Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, urged the ICPC Chairman to come back to the institution to inaugurate the ICPC club as soon as it was set up.
    At the convocation ceremony,429 students received Bachelor Degrees with 24 in First Class, 253 in Second Class (Upper), 135 Second Class (Lower) and Seven in Third Class.

  • Obasanjo emphasises role of church in fighting corruption

    Obasanjo emphasises role of church in fighting corruption

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday advocated a spiritual approach to the anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria just as he urged the Church to help fight the scourge.

    Obasanjo spoke in Abeokuta at the 2017 convention lecture of the Victory Life Bible Church International.

    He spoke on the theme : “The Role of the Church in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria.”

    The former president described the church as an important and influential institution with a pivotal role in curbing and eradicating corruption in Nigeria.

    He described the anti-corruption war in Nigeria as “a fight for the soul of the nation”.

    Obasanjo noted that successive governments in Nigeria had tried to contain corruption through enactment of laws and enforcement of integrity systems with a slow pace of success.

    “Legislations alone are not enough as they are often breached by those who make them and those who should implement them.

    “Our main problems are moral, ethical,attitudinal failure and disorientation.

    “The church is an institution that provides the moral and ethical standards for us as believers.

    “Man alone by himself cannot get rid of corruption from the world, he needs the assistance of God.

    “Here must come the society and the church. With the spirit of God to work together to undo the harm that man has done and continue to do the perfect work of God on earth.

    The elderstatesman, however, stressed that the anti-corruption crusade must first be fought within the church by strengthening and ridding itself of the menace before extending it to the larger society.

    “The church needs to clear its Augean stable.

    “The temple of God must be cleanest to restore the holiness of the church.

    “Our present day money changers and merchants. Must be chased out of the church.
    “The pulpit must be used to teach and preach righteous and honest living.

    “To preach that one can acquire wealth without labour is not only deceitful, but also a call to corruption.

    “We must be careful in believing and celebrating every testimony of miraculous blessing otherwise we end up celeberating corruption.

    “The behaviour of some of our men of God leaves much to be desired.

    “They not only celeberate but venerate those whose sources of wealth are questionable.

    “They accept gifts (offerings) from just anybody without asking questions giving the impression that anything is  acceptable in the House of God,” he said.

    He therefore called on christian leaders to sanitise the church for effective anti-corruption crusade.

    The former president who recalled that the church played an important role in the development of Nigeria noted that the nation had come to another historic juncture requiring the church to play a leading role.

    “The role must be played in praying, preaching and teaching.

    “This is a period of moral and ethical rebirth and the church as an agent of socialisation must embark on moral re-armament for the church and for the nation.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday advocated a spiritual approach to the anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria just as he urged the Church to help fight the scourge.

    Obasanjo spoke in Abeokuta at the 2017 convention lecture of the Victory Life Bible Church International.

    He spoke on the theme : “The Role of the Church in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria.”

    The former president described the church as an important and influential institution with a pivotal role in curbing and eradicating corruption in Nigeria.

    He described the anti-corruption war in Nigeria as “a fight for the soul of the nation”.
    Obasanjo noted that successive governments in Nigeria had tried to contain corruption through enactment of laws and enforcement of integrity systems with a slow pace of success.

    “Legislations alone are not enough as they are often breached by those who make them and those who should implement them.

    “Our main problems are moral, ethical,attitudinal failure and disorientation.

    “The church is an institution that provides the moral and ethical standards for us as believers.

    “Man alone by himself cannot get rid of corruption from the world, he needs the assistance of God.

    “Here must come the society and the church. With the spirit of God to work together to undo the harm that man has done and continue to do the perfect work of God on earth.

    The elderstatesman, however, stressed that the anti-corruption crusade must first be fought within the church by strengthening and ridding itself of the menace before extending it to the larger society.

    “The church needs to clear its Augean stable.

    “The temple of God must be cleanest to restore the holiness of the church.

    “Our present day money changers and merchants. Must be chased out of the church.
    “The pulpit must be used to teach and preach righteous and honest living.

    “To preach that one can acquire wealth without labour is not only deceitful, but also a call to corruption.

    “We must be careful in believing and celebrating every testimony of miraculous blessing otherwise we end up celeberating corruption.

    “The behaviour of some of our men of God leaves much to be desired.

    “They not only celeberate but venerate those whose sources of wealth are questionable.

    “They accept gifts (offerings) from just anybody without asking questions giving the impression that anything is  acceptable in the House of God,” he said.

    He therefore called on christian leaders to sanitise the church for effective anti-corruption crusade.

    The former president who recalled that the church played an important role in the development of Nigeria noted that the nation had come to another historic juncture requiring the church to play a leading role.

    “The role must be played in praying, preaching and teaching.

    “This is a period of moral and ethical rebirth and the church as an agent of socialisation must embark on moral re-armament for the church and for the nation.

  • Niger Delta militants disrupt hearing on corruption in Port Harcourt

    Niger Delta militants disrupt hearing on corruption in Port Harcourt

    Hundreds of Niger Delta militants yesterday invaded Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and disrupted the investigative hearing on corruption, initiated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
    The militants, who forced their way into the Royal Banquet Hall of the five-star hotel, owned by the Rivers State government, prevented the hearing from holding, despite the tight security provided by riot policemen and other security personnel at the hotel.
    The agitators did not bother about the presence of prominent monarchs, members of civil society groups and NDDC contractors from across the nine states of the Niger Delta.
    Their grouse was that the Federal Government’s interventionist agency did not invite them to the hearing, which was erroneously thought to be a forum to award contracts or to share money.
    One of the militants who declined to give his name, said: “If you move close to me, I will punch your face. I am not ready to speak with any journalist.
    “We are also NDDC contractors. Why will NDDC invite some contractors and ignore many others? Since the commission has refused to invite us, the investigative hearing will not hold.
    “If the hearing is fixed for another day and venue, without inviting us, we will still not allow it to hold. We are critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta. We must all be carried along.”
    The six-member committee on corruption charges is headed by Dr. Ekanim Princewill, who is NDDC’s Special Duties Director.
    The hearing was to unravel allegations of corruption and racketeering concerning the commission.
    It was fixed for 12 noon at the expansive and well-decorated hall, with all the 100 randomly-selected contractors from the nine Niger Delta states seated. The event started on time.
    As the moderator, Iniruo Wills, a lawyer, who is a former Bayelsa State Commissioner for the Environment, was making his opening remarks and addressing the contactors and other eminent personalities, the militants invaded the hall at 12;15 p.m.
    Efforts were made by Niger Delta leaders to prevail on the militants to allow the hearing to hold, but they kept shouting and making attempts to upturn the chairs and tables, as well as beat up the NDDC’s top officials and other dignitaries.
    The rowdiness continued for over 30 minutes and when it became obvious that they would not allow the hearing to hold, Wills announced its cancellation. He said a new date would be fixed.
    A civil society group leader at the hearing, Mr. David Ugolor, who is the Executive Director, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, condemned the behaviour of the militants.
    He said the impunity and lawlessness in the Niger Delta must end, paving the way for sustainable development of the crude oil and gas-rich region.
    NDDC spokesman Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, who is a member of the committee on corruption charges, told reporters after the event: “The public hearing is for persons, especially contractors who have stories to tell, questions to ask and who have evidence to show that the allegations are true.
    “When we started in the committee, our responsibility was to reach as many contractors who had things to say on allegations of corruption. We sent letters to them and we expanded it to contractors across the nine states of the Niger Delta, in order to get to the bottom of the matter, as directed by NDDC’s Managing Director, Mr. Nsima Ekere.
    “Sadly, what happened today (yesterday) is typical of things that go on in the Niger Delta region, where the best intentions are misunderstood. Most of the things happened long before he (Ekere) became the managing director and he still found it important to set up the committee, to take decisive action, to put an end to the stories.”