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Tag: ICPC

  • ICPC sues Delta deputy speaker

    ICPC sues Delta deputy speaker

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has sued Delta State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Basil Ganagana for alleged corruption. Joined in the suit are his wife, Joan and brother Thaddeus.

    The anti-graft agency accused the deputy speaker of using his office to confer corrupt advantage upon a relation contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000.

    He is accused of nominating his brother, Thaddeus Ganagana, which eventually led to his employment as his political aide under the name Thaddeus Ekpo, when Thaddeus was still an employee of the Ministry of Education (Basic and Secondary).

    Ganagana is also accused of retaining his wife, Joan Amaebi Ganagana, under the name Amaebi Okoro as his legal assistant when she was employed by the Ministry of Justice and she received salaries simultaneously from both organisations.

    Ganagana is also charged with receiving money which has been obtained by means of act constituting a felony.

    He is also charged with refusal to honour an invitation contrary to Section 28(1) (a) and punishable under Section 28 (10) of the ICPC Act 2000.

    Justice Mabel Omovie adjourned hearing till May 28 for ruling on an application by Ganagana to quash the charge.

  • Anti-graft agencies have failed – Gov. Aliyu

    The Chairman, Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and Niger State governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has  passed a verdict of failure on all anti-graft agencies in the country.

    He accused them of not doing enough to curb corruption in the country, insisting that corruption in the country is increasing at an alarmingly.

    Aliyu spoke in Minna on Tuesday when he hosted the Fiscal Responsibility Commission led by the Acting Chairman, Mr. Victor Chinemere Muruako in his office.

    He lamented that the efforts of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Fiscal Responsibility Commission have done little to reduce corruption in the country.

    According to him, “We have EFCC, we have Fiscal Responsibility Commission and we have ICPC but none of these agencies are doing enough to curb corruption. Today, there is no way you will not see in the media stories about corruption and there is no way cases about corruption will not be mentioned in the country for a day.”

    Aliyu also blamed the current insurgency being experienced in the northern  region of the country on corruption. According to him, “corruption brought about the Boko Haram insurgency”.

    The NSGF Chair  advocated for public education on to handle public finance stressing that, “the people should know that it is not a private or a money making venture, it is for the public, for the benefit and interest of the public.”

    Earlier, the acting Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Mr. Chinemere Muruako told his host that the commission recovered over N114 billion in operating surplus paid into the Consolidated Revenue  Fund by MDAs and Corporations in the new fiscal regime.

    “Despite corruption and reluctance at individual and institutional levels to adopt the culture of transparency and accountability,  Nigeria economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the years since the new fiscal regime became operational.”

    Muruako lamented that only 22 per cent of states in the country have adopted the Fiscal Responsibility Law stating that this is not encouraging considering the nation’s strength on regional government as total compliance to the Fiscal Responsibility Act will guarantee a more stable economy.

    He then appealed to Aliyu to prevail on his colleagues to adopt the Fiscal Responsibility Law and buy into the new regime of fiscal prudence in order to expedite the nation’s macro-economic stability.

  • Govt merges three aviation agencies

    Govt merges three aviation agencies

    •EFCC/ICPC merger rejected
    Two government agencies – the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) – have been scrapped.

    Three aviation agencies have been merged into one in the Federal Government’s efforts to streamline its finances. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) are now to be known as the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA). Their enabling laws will be amended to reflect the merger.

    These are the highlights of the Federal Government’s White Paper on the report of the Steve Oronsaye Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies.

    The 105-page document dated March, 2014 was made public yesterday.

    Oronsaye, a former Head of Service of the Federation, submitted the report of his panel to the government on April 16, 2012. It was referred to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, before the White Paper was released yesterday.

    In all, the panel recommended the scrapping or merger of 270 government agencies. Some of the agencies have been approved for commercialisation and privatisation.

    The government rejected the the merger of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). The government also rejected the renaming of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to Anti-Corruption Tribunal.

    But, it accepted that “the trio of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency be merged into a new body to be known as the Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA) and their respective enabling laws be amended accordingly to reflect the merger.”

    It also accepted that the enabling law of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology be amended and the college restructured.

    While maintaining that JAMB should continue to exist as the central examination body for admissions into Nigerian universities, it directs that JAMB must play its regulatory role to ensure that all students for undergraduate admissions into Nigerian universities, including direct entries, must pass through JAMB.

    The government accepted the recommendation that the Bill seeking for the establishment of NEPAD as an agency of the Federal Government be withdrawn from the National Assembly as there are already laws relating to most of the activities being performed by NEPAD.

    Accepting that the Utilities Charges Commission be abolished and its enabling law repealed, it directed that the process be initiated by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

    It accepted the recommendation that the National Agricultural Insurance Corporation be fully commercialised and also accepted the recommendation that the passed bill on the Nigeria Agriculture Quarantine Service should not be assented to by the President.

    The government also accepted that the practice whereby certain categories of retirees are opting out of contributory pension scheme be stopped, stating that only the military may withdraw from the scheme.

    The Veterinary Research Council of Nigeria is to be self-funding. Further budgetary allocation to the council should cease forthwith, the government said. It also accepted partial commercialisation of the Nigerian Postal Agency (NIPOST).

    Government shares in NIGCOMSAT are to be sold. The government will retain minority shares. The government also accepted that the functions of NIGCOMSAT that relates to space development be reverted to the National Space Development Agency.

    The Nigerian Institute for Education Planners and Administrators (NIEPA) will be merged with the National Teachers Institute (NTI).

    The Nigerian Film Corporation will be commercialised from the 2013 fiscal year – with the government seed funding. The government accepted that all offices of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies outside Lagos and Abuja be closed down immediately to ensure judicious use of available resources in line with government policy.

    The government accepted that the National Council of Arts and Culture be merged with the National Troupe and the National Theatre into one agency called National Council of Arts and Culture.

    The Federal Government also accepted that the Nigerian Financial Reporting Council ceases to be funded by the government from 2015. It also accepted that the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) be self-funding from 2014.

    The allegation made by the National Boundaries Commission against the office of the Surveyor General of the Federation over the funding of two non-existent boundary demarcation will be properly investigated.

    The government accepted the management audit of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).

    But it rejected the recommendation for an amendment in name and status of the Federal Civil Service Commission to the Federal Public Service Commission. The recommendation for a single term of five years for the chairman and members of the commission was accepted.

    Accepting the recommendation for the scrapping of Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), the government also directed the AGF to initiate action for the abolition.

    It directed that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) should perform the function of the FRC.

    The government accepted the recommendation that the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission’s enabling law be repealed and the functions of the commission subsumed under the RMAFC.

    But the recommendation that Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) be subsumed under the Bureau of Public Enterprises for greater synergy, was rejected.

    Also rejected is the recommendation of the merger of NTA, FRCN and VON into one body to be known as Federal Corporation Broadcasting of Nigeria (FCBN).

    But NTA will be fully commercialised.

    Rejecting the recommendation for the abolition of the Federal Character Commission, the government said that the commission should be strengthened to perform its constitutional role and functions.

    It rejected the recommendation that the law establishing the Border Communities Development Agency be repealed and its functions reverted to the National Boundary Commission.

    The government rejected the recommendation that it should stop funding current expenditure of National Institute on Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) from the 2015 and limit itself to certain essential capital requirement of the institute.

    The merger of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Refugees Commission into one agency to be known as the National Emergency Management and Refugees Commission, was rejected. The government also rejected the recommendation for the Debt Management Office (DMO) to become an extra ministerial department in the Federal Ministry of Finance and delisted from the office of the Vice President.

    It rejected the recommendation that the Act setting up the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) be repealed and also rejected that the Road Safety Commission (FRSC) be reverted to the Highways Department of the Federal Ministry of Works.

    The government also shunned the recommendation that the enabling law of the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS be repealed just as it disagree that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission be abolished and their functions transferred to a department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Besides, the government will not stop sponsoring pilgrims and pilgrimages.

    It also rejected the privatisation of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigerian (FAAN) – in view of the security situation.

    “Government rejects that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the regulatory functions of Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST)) be brought together under a unified management structure to be known as the Communications Regulatory Authority of Nigeria,” the white paper said.

     

    Also rejected is the recommendation that the Act establishing the National Examinations Council (NECO) be repealed and the Council’s activities returned to the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

    The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NEDRC) will not be scrapped. Besides, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and the Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) will not be merged to form a single agency for wealth creation.

    The government disagree that the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council be scrapped.

    It rejected the scrapping of the Energy Commission of Nigeria and also the recommendation that that the National Sports Commission (NSC) should revert to the proposed Ministry of Youth and Sports Development as an agency.

  • ICPC to arraign Edo lawmaker for alleged tax fraud

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said an Edo State High Court in Benin City has fixed April 14 for the arraignment of the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Philip Shaibu, for allegedly forging tax clearance certificate.

    The commission said it sued Shaibu on a six-count charge for allegedly violating the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    A statement by ICPC’s Resident Consultant (Media and Events) Folu Olamiti said the offence was allegedly committed in 2010.

    The statement said: “According to the charge sheet, Shaibu allegedly in July 2010 in Abuja, made false statement to ICPC officers, claiming he was an employee of Zanote Ventures Nigeria Limited from 2003 to 2006.

    “The accused was also alleged to have lied to the officials of the Edo State Internal Revenue Board in November 2006 to fraudulently obtain a tax clearance certificate.

    “The alleged false statements are offences that contravene Section 23(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(b) of the ICPC Act, 2000.

    “The lawmaker’s counsel, Ken Mozia (SAN), however, sought for bail, ahead of the arraignment.

    “According to him, this was to enable him respond to the charges against his client.

    “But ICPC’s counsel Godson Igbadume opposed. He argued that the bail application should be taken at the beginning of the trial.

    “Igbadume said Shaibu has been evading service from the commission, stressing that efforts made to reach the accused had proved abstruse, until he was brought before court.

    “After listening to the submissions of both counsel, Justice Esther Edigion agreed with the argument of the ICPC counsel and adjourned the case till April 14 to enable the defence counsel respond to the charges as well as take the bail application.”

  • Illegal universities: ICPC files 14 charges against don

    Illegal universities: ICPC files 14 charges against don

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it has arraigned Prof David Iornem before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for allegedly operating two illegal universities.

    Joined alongside Iornem in the suit are Island Open University and CommonWealth University Inc.

    According to a statement last night by the Resident Consultant. (Media and Events), Mr. Folu Olamiti, the fresh charges were filed by the commission on Monday.

    The ICPC had in August last year arraigned Iornem before the same court.

    But at the resumed sitting of the trial on Monday, a fresh 14-count charge was slammed on the accused for allegedly operating illegal universities.

    The statement said: “In the charge, the ICPC counsel, Ebenezer Shogunle alleged that the accused conspired with one Bruce Duncan and other persons at large to obtain money by advertising on the Internet seeking for Consultant/Academic Adviser for admissions into Commonwealth University Belize when he knew that no such university existed contrary to and punishable under Section 8(a) and Section 1(a) of the Advance Fee fraud and other fraud Related Offences act 2006.

    “Prof. Iornem was accused of attempting to induce one Prof. Ishag Oloyede to pay $11,550. For the award of an academic doctorate degree for a non-existing university contrary to and punishable under Section 8(b) and (1) (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

    “The accused person was also accused of obtaining the sum of $5000 from one Akinkuotu Albert Oluwatoyin “under the false presence that he had been offered admission to pursue a degree of doctor of Philosophy in Management in a non- existing University – (Commonwealth University), contrary to and punishable under section 1 (1) (a), and section 1 (3) of the advance fee fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

    “He was accused of defrauding Jamilu Rabiu Sani of $800 “as application form fee and good faith deposit for admission into Commonwealth University Belize” which is neither accredited nor authorised to operate as a University in Belize.

    “Prof. Iornem also collected the sum of N1million from one Festus Uwakhemen Asikha; $6,800 from one Chief Victor Ekpo Effiom for admission onto the Commonwealth University Belize, “which is in fact a fake and un accredited University, owned and illegally operated by him, contrary to and punishable under section 8(b) and 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006.

    “Several other charges were read to him which on matters which were punishable under Section 15(1) (a) (ii) and section 15 (1) (b) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

    “When all the 14 Court Charges were read to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty and his Counsel Chris Anlashi appealed to the Court to grant his client Bail.

    “ Justice A.R. Mohammed granted the accused bail on N100,000 surety in like sum. The Judge said that the surety should be a civil servant of not lower than Grade level 8 and the surety must swear to an affidavit of means and must submit his passport photograph.

    The case was adjourned till May 14 for hearing. The Judge directed that the accused should be taken to Kuje Prisons pending the fulfillment of bail conditions.”

  • Lawmaker docked for ‘forgery’

    Lawmaker docked for ‘forgery’

    Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly Philip Shaibu was yesterday docked by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at an Edo State High Court for alleged forgery.

    Shaibu, who represents Estako West 11, was arraigned on a six-count charge of forgery of tax clearance certificates.

    The charge sheet signed by Assistant Chief Legal Officer of ICPC, Dennis Idoko, on behalf of the Attorney- General of the Federation, said the offences were contrary to Section 23 (1)(a) and punishable under section (1)(b) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act 2000.

    One of the charges alleged that Shaibu in July 2010 at Abuja made false statement knowingly to the officers of ICPC by claiming that he was an employee of Zanote Ventures Nigeria limited from 2003 to 2006, a statement which is false and untrue.

    The lawmaker’s plea was not taken yesterday because his counsel, Ken Mozia, told the court that his client was served yesterday morning.

    Prosecuting Counsel Igbadume Godson argued that the plea be taken and the bail application heard because they could not reach Shaibu for court service.

    Justice Esther Edigin adjourned the case till April 14 to enable Shaibu respond to the charges and reply to the bail application.

  • Genuine tax clearance certificate prerequisite for contract – ICPC

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday said genuine tax clearance was prerequisite for government contract in the country.

    Mr Folu Olamiti, ICPC Media Consultant, said this in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said the commission was working in partnership with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and other relevant agencies to address challenges of securing government contract with fake tax clearance.

    Olamiti said ICPC would not relent in ensuring that companies seeking government contract with fake tax clearance were arrested and prosecuted.

    He, therefore, called on individuals and companies to use genuine tax clearance certificates to seek for government contract, to avoid the embarrassment of being prosecuted.

    The media consultant also cautioned against the patronage of tax touts in and outside tax offices.

    He said the commission was currently investigating 156 companies referred to it by the BPP over alleged use of fake tax clearance certificates to bid for government contracts.

    Folu said the outcome of the investigation would be publicised at the end of the exercise, adding that indicted companies would be prosecuted accordingly

  • Ogbulafor’s trial suffers adjournment

    Ogbulafor’s trial suffers adjournment

    The trial of Vincent Ogbulafor and two others at the FCT High Court again suffered another adjournment yesterday due to the absence of the judge, Justice Ishaq Bello.

    Ogbulafor is standing trial with Jude Nwokolo and Emeka Ebilah.

    They are being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 17-count charge bordering on fraud involving N107 million.

    Ogbulafor’s trial has suffered adjournments due to the absence of the judge.

    The case was adjourned for counsel to address the court, but could not go on as earlier scheduled due to the judge’s national assignment, who, therefore, gave his consent for an adjournment.

    At the resumed hearing of the case, Mr. Salisu Idache, the Court Clerk, informed counsel to the ICPC, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and the defence team that Bello “is still away on his national assignment.”

    He was appointed recently as the Chairman of the Anambra Election Petition Tribunal.

    April 29 has been given as a new date to the counsel to address the court.

    The ICPC alleged that while in office as the Minister of State for Special Duties in 2001, Ogbulafor connived with others to establish three fictitious companies with which they perpetrated the alleged fraud.

    They were said to have used Henrichiko Nig. Ltd., DHL Consultants and Chekwas Industries to obtain N82.6million, N11.5 million and N6.2million in 2001, among others.

    Ogbulafor was alleged to have used his position as the head of the National Economic Intelligence Committee to pass forged documents as genuine.

    The ICPC alleged that he relied on the forged documents to certify that the three fake companies successfully executed jobs worth N104million.

    The offence contravened the provisions of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.

    If convicted, they face five years in prison without an option of fine.

    However, the accused pleaded not guilty.

  • Don’t lose hope in democracy, Aregbesola tells Nigerians

    Don’t lose hope in democracy, Aregbesola tells Nigerians

    •Osun Governor ‘not promoting anti-Christian agenda’

    OSUn State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday asked Nigerians not to lose hope in the nation’s democracy despite its imperfections.

    He also said he is not promoting anti-Christian agenda as being insinuated by some critics.

    Aregbesola spoke at a lecture at the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Miscellaneous Officers Commission (ICPC) Good Governance Forum in Abuja.

    He said states should strive for financial autonomy and self-sufficiency.

    His lecture, witnessed by a capacity crowd at the auditorium of ICPC, focused on ‘Governance, Accountability and Transformation.’

    Aregbesola said: “The point must also be made that of all forms of government, in spite of its imperfection, democracy offers the highest assurance of a very high probability of good governance. This is because it is only in a democracy that the rulers can be most accountable to the people.

    “It therefore, follows that when governance is accountable and transparent, it would bring about positive transformation in the lives of the people, which ultimately is the end of government and governance.

    This is why in human social evolution; democracy has displaced other forms of government – theocracy, monarchism, feudalism, fascism and military autocracy – to emerge the preferred bride.

    “It is why I am also optimistic that in spite of the problems of nationhood we are facing as a nation, we will come out triumphant in the end if we remain steadfast on the democratic path.”

    He said Nigerians should not lose hope in democracy because it provides opportunity for them to kick out any bad government.

    He added: “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There is never a time when there will be no excuse for failure. The good thing about democracy is that, it periodically provides opportunity for us to kick out a government that offers excuses all the time and blames others for its failure.”

    “If we can take the science of governance and public administration, we can follow the path they took and have even more resounding success.”

    Aregbesola said governance is not a mystery; Nigerian leaders only need to rise to the challenge of providing dividends of democracy to the people.

    He said: “Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, governance is not a mystery. There is a science and art to it and it can be mastered and we should begin to demystify it by rejecting the notion that we can only have good and qualitative governance in the next millennium. We can have it now and we should demand for it. We have heard of the successes of the Asian Tigers and the newly industrialised countries of South America.

    “It has become a cliché that we need quality leadership. I am afraid that this is a necessary but not a sufficient condition.

    “The corollary of it is that we also need good followership – a followership that consciously put the right leadership in place; that will make extraordinary demands from the leaders; and will hold leadership to account.

    “It is the combination of the two factors of good leadership and quality followership that will bring about the transformation that we so desire.

    “I am therefore confident that given our trajectory as a nation and the progress we have made since 1999, we are going to arrive at the long desired destination. Of course, democracy anywhere is an unfinished business.”

    The governor said he has had “democracy-governance nexus practically demonstrated in Osun State and several other states where progressives are in control.

    “Indeed, while the governance situation in the country generally fills me with a sense of sobriety; what we have achieved in Osun gives me a sense of optimism that, with accountability and transparency in leadership, the machinery of governance can be used effectively to overcome our national malaise; to cage the monster of corruption; and to transform the fortunes of our nation and our people.”

    On the perceived religious crisis in the state, Aregbesola said he is not fanning the ember of discrimination against Christians.

    He said: “You cannot call a Muslim governor who allows traditional worshippers to practise their faith a fanatic. This noise over religious crisis came from less than 20 parents who wanted to create sensation. There is no iota of truth in all the sensational stories you read.

    “Take your mind off these Shenanigans. I am a Muslim; I do not even discuss religion with my wife. Look at my wife, she does not wear Hijab, how can I (as a governor) force students to wear Hijab.”

    In his opening remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Ekpo Nta, a lawyer said studies had shown that there is a strong relationship between high public-sector corruption and pervasive poverty with attendant consequences if not properly addressed.

    He said good governance is a solution to corruption in any society.

    “That is why a corrupt society cannot guarantee good governance. The choice of ‘Good Governance’ a name for this Forum is therefore a deliberate attempt to encourage Governments to contribute their quota actively in the fight against corruption.

    “Good governance as generally used, encompasses all aspects of the way a country is governed, including its economic policies and regulatory framework (Subramanian, 2001).

    “In practice, there are four principles of good governance. These include the provision of basic amenities such as clean potable water, good network of road, good quality education, social security, free and fair elections, equal opportunities and justice for all irrespective of social status, etc.

    The chairman, who however, stated that the commission is more interested in strengthening anti-corruption processes in public institutions so that they can withstand and repel corrupt individuals.

    Nta added that the commission is currently developing tools for empirical measurements of performance along these lines to reduce dependence on “perception” or newspaper reports.

  • Don’t lose hope in democracy, Aregbesola tells Nigerians

    Don’t lose hope in democracy, Aregbesola tells Nigerians

    •Osun Governor ‘not promoting anti-Christian agenda’

    OSUn State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday asked Nigerians not to lose hope in the nation’s democracy despite its imperfections.

    He also said he is not promoting anti-Christian agenda as being insinuated by some critics.

    Aregbesola spoke at a lecture at the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Miscellaneous Officers Commission (ICPC) Good Governance Forum in Abuja.

    He said states should strive for financial autonomy and self-sufficiency.

    His lecture, witnessed by a capacity crowd at the auditorium of ICPC, focused on ‘Governance, Accountability and Transformation.’

    Aregbesola said: “The point must also be made that of all forms of government, in spite of its imperfection, democracy offers the highest assurance of a very high probability of good governance. This is because it is only in a democracy that the rulers can be most accountable to the people.

    “It therefore, follows that when governance is accountable and transparent, it would bring about positive transformation in the lives of the people, which ultimately is the end of government and governance.

    This is why in human social evolution; democracy has displaced other forms of government – theocracy, monarchism, feudalism, fascism and military autocracy – to emerge the preferred bride.

    “It is why I am also optimistic that in spite of the problems of nationhood we are facing as a nation, we will come out triumphant in the end if we remain steadfast on the democratic path.”

    He said Nigerians should not lose hope in democracy because it provides opportunity for them to kick out any bad government.

    He added: “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There is never a time when there will be no excuse for failure. The good thing about democracy is that, it periodically provides opportunity for us to kick out a government that offers excuses all the time and blames others for its failure.”

    “If we can take the science of governance and public administration, we can follow the path they took and have even more resounding success.”

    Aregbesola said governance is not a mystery; Nigerian leaders only need to rise to the challenge of providing dividends of democracy to the people.

    He said: “Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, governance is not a mystery. There is a science and art to it and it can be mastered and we should begin to demystify it by rejecting the notion that we can only have good and qualitative governance in the next millennium. We can have it now and we should demand for it. We have heard of the successes of the Asian Tigers and the newly industrialised countries of South America.

    “It has become a cliché that we need quality leadership. I am afraid that this is a necessary but not a sufficient condition.

    “The corollary of it is that we also need good followership – a followership that consciously put the right leadership in place; that will make extraordinary demands from the leaders; and will hold leadership to account.

    “It is the combination of the two factors of good leadership and quality followership that will bring about the transformation that we so desire.

    “I am therefore confident that given our trajectory as a nation and the progress we have made since 1999, we are going to arrive at the long desired destination. Of course, democracy anywhere is an unfinished business.”

    The governor said he has had “democracy-governance nexus practically demonstrated in Osun State and several other states where progressives are in control.

    “Indeed, while the governance situation in the country generally fills me with a sense of sobriety; what we have achieved in Osun gives me a sense of optimism that, with accountability and transparency in leadership, the machinery of governance can be used effectively to overcome our national malaise; to cage the monster of corruption; and to transform the fortunes of our nation and our people.”

    On the perceived religious crisis in the state, Aregbesola said he is not fanning the ember of discrimination against Christians.

    He said: “You cannot call a Muslim governor who allows traditional worshippers to practise their faith a fanatic. This noise over religious crisis came from less than 20 parents who wanted to create sensation. There is no iota of truth in all the sensational stories you read.

    “Take your mind off these Shenanigans. I am a Muslim; I do not even discuss religion with my wife. Look at my wife, she does not wear Hijab, how can I (as a governor) force students to wear Hijab.”

    In his opening remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Ekpo Nta, a lawyer said studies had shown that there is a strong relationship between high public-sector corruption and pervasive poverty with attendant consequences if not properly addressed.

    He said good governance is a solution to corruption in any society.

    “That is why a corrupt society cannot guarantee good governance. The choice of ‘Good Governance’ a name for this Forum is therefore a deliberate attempt to encourage Governments to contribute their quota actively in the fight against corruption.

    “Good governance as generally used, encompasses all aspects of the way a country is governed, including its economic policies and regulatory framework (Subramanian, 2001).

    “In practice, there are four principles of good governance. These include the provision of basic amenities such as clean potable water, good network of road, good quality education, social security, free and fair elections, equal opportunities and justice for all irrespective of social status, etc.

    The chairman, who however, stated that the commission is more interested in strengthening anti-corruption processes in public institutions so that they can withstand and repel corrupt individuals.

    Nta added that the commission is currently developing tools for empirical measurements of performance along these lines to reduce dependence on “perception” or newspaper reports.